Nicole L. Little

Nikki Little is a partner and litigator at Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery, where she represents clients in intellectual property law matters involving patents, trademarks and unfair competition, and trade secret law, copyright, as well as contractual disputes and business torts. Nikki has participated in numerous jury and bench trials, successfully representing clients ranging from individual inventors to multinational corporations across a broad spectrum of industries.

Nikki earned a B.S. in chemical engineering, cum laude, from the University of Michigan and her J.D. from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she was editor- in-chief of the Journal of Intellectual Property. Upon graduating from law school in 2008, she joined Fitch Even and quickly rose through the ranks, distinguishing herself through her legal acumen, her internal leadership and her tireless advocacy on behalf of her clients.

In 2020, Nikki became the youngest attorney in Fitch Even’s 161-year history to be appointed to the executive committee, which oversees overall operations of the firm. She is a longtime member and now chair of the firm’s Recruiting and Employment Committee, overseeing the attorney hiring process, summer associate program and mentoring program. Nikki also serves on the Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Committee, where she helps lead the firm’s women’s initiative as well as other DE&I activities.

Nikki has an enduring passion for teaching, mentoring, and collaborating with other women, including younger attorneys and students. In 2015, this passion led her to cofound Chicago Women in IP (ChiWIP), a vibrant networking and mentoring organization committed to the connection, promotion, and success of Chicagoland-area women working in the field of intellectual property law. Since its inception, ChiWIP has grown to more than 750 members and offers numerous educational seminars, career resources, leadership opportunities and community outreach initiatives. Nikki has served as Chair of ChiWIP’s Board of Directors since 2019 and has served on various committees as chair or member over the past six years.

Nikki received the 2020 Client Choice Award for Illinois focused on Intellectual Property/Patents. She was also selected as an Emerging Lawyer in Illinois in Intellectual Property Law, Patent Law, and Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Law by the Leading Lawyers Network (2017–21) and was named to the Illinois Super Lawyers list for Intellectual Property Litigation (2020–21). Previously, she was selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers — Rising Stars for Intellectual Property Litigation, Intellectual Property Law, and Media and Advertising Law (2015-18).

A proud Michigan alumna, Nikki sits on the board of directors of the University of Michigan Club of Greater Chicago. Among other activities, the club fundraises for scholarships that it awards to deserving Chicago-area students in need to enable them to attend the University of Michigan. Nikki serves as co-chair of the marketing committee, managing communications with Chicagoland’s more than 25,000 alumni.

While originally hailing from Michigan, Nikki and her husband now consider Chicago home. They live in the city with their two children, Kenzie (6) and Calvin (3). In their spare time, they love exploring all the city has to offer.