Nicole A. Vele

Nicole A. Vele is a Shareholder at GrayRobinson in Washington, D.C. whose practice focuses on Administrative and Regulatory matters, Construction, Government Contracts, Higher Education, and Litigation. Drawing on her U.S. Air Force service, she advises on solicitations, source selections, contract modifications, terminations, claims, fiscal law, disputes, and protests. Her work helps clients address federal contracting risks, protect resources, and respond to complex operational and regulatory requirements.

Nicole earned an LL.M. from The George Washington University Law School in 2021, With Highest Honors, a J.D. from University of Wisconsin Law School in 2011, an M.S. from University of Wisconsin in 2011, an M.S. from Marian University in 2008, and a B.A. from Marquette University in 2003. Her academic background supports work that combines procurement law, organizational leadership, litigation, and government operations.

Nicole served as an Air Force Judge Advocate General and led government contract attorneys reviewing major acquisitions and advising on projects worldwide. Her experience includes government contract disputes and protests, criminal prosecution and defense, cross-functional investigations involving fraud and mismanagement, and acquisition counseling. In private practice, she has also helped resolve a substantial federal debt demand and correct a long-term contract pricing error through targeted government engagement and negotiation.

Nicole A. Vele is active in the American Bar Association Public Contract Law Section and has held leadership roles across committees addressing commercial products, debarment and suspension, procurement fraud, false claims, and contingency procurement. She also speaks and writes on government contracting and fiscal law. Her combination of military legal service, procurement experience, and litigation training supports practical advice for organizations working through high-pressure government contract and regulatory matters.

Law Office Affiliations

• Shareholder, GrayRobinson, P.A.
• Member, District of Columbia Bar
• Member, New York State Bar Association
• Member, State Bar of Wisconsin
• Commercial Products and Services Committee Co-Chair and Vice-Chair, American Bar Association, Public Contract Law Section (2022)
• Volunteer Attorney Coach, Highland High School Mock Trial Team
• Board Member, Autism Society of America (2023-2024)
• Board Member, Space Coast Chamber
• Member, National Contract Management Association

Licensed State

• District of Columbia
• New York
• Wisconsin

Education

• The George Washington University Law School
  Master of Laws (LLM)
• University of Wisconsin Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Wisconsin
  Master of Science (MS)
• Marian University
  Master of Science (MS)
• Marquette University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges