Nicole Proesch

Nicole Proesch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Education Law and Employment Law - Management.

Nicole, who practices law in Des Moines, Iowa, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicole is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

With over 20 years of experience, Attorney Nicole Proesch has a practice that focuses on Employment Law, Education Law, Licensing & Administrative Law, Boards and Commissions, and Local Government.

In her employment law practice, Nicole represents public and private sector employers in labor and employment matters. In that role, she has successfully represented clients in state and federal cases involving a broad range of labor and employment laws, including Title VII, the American with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Nicole also has extensive experience investigating and handling matters filed with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and related federal and state agencies. Her work before these agencies includes assisting clients at the early charge stage, during governmental investigations, and throughout any subsequent litigation.

In addition to her litigation experience, Nicole has experience counseling employers on a wide range of labor and employment issues, including cybersecurity issues, discrimination, harassment, FMLA and medical issues in the workplace, technology issues, and discipline matters. In her counseling practice, she takes a proactive approach to responding and resolving various employment issues and assists her clients in establishing policies and procedures necessary to comply with the ever-changing law.

Nicole also has a vast education law practice. In this practice she represents school districts, school boards, and Iowa school administrators in contract and other employment matters within their districts. Nicole conducts a myriad of investigations for various districts throughout the State including Title IX and level two investigations. Nicole also works on licensing issues in front of the Board of Educational Examiners and the Iowa Department of Education.

In the span of her career, Nicole has served in a variety of legal roles including as a private attorney, a Story County prosecutor, and as a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Des Moines.

Prior to joining Dickinson Bradshaw, she gained extensive knowledge working with Education and Business stakeholders in state government for over a decade in the areas of Employment and Education Law. She served as General Counsel and Investigator for the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, and as the General Counsel for the Iowa Department of Education where she spent nearly eight years. In that role Nicole advised the Department and the Iowa Board of Education and served as an Administrative Law Judge for decisions appealed to the Department and Board.

As the spouse of a railroad employee, Nicole also understands the unique challenges that railroad workers face. In her practice, she represents individuals in the area of Railroad Employee Injuries in relation to the Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA), which was enacted by Congress in recognition of the inherent dangers associated with employment in the railroad industry.

Among the honors she has received, Nicole was the 2019 Doug Bates Distinguished Service Award recipient from the National Council of State Education Attorneys. She also served on the National Association of State Boards of Education from 2016-2017.