Nicole Pottroff

Nicole is a Partner at Koprince Law, LLC. Nicole is also co-author of the recently published “Koprince Law LLC GovCon Handbook Volume 4: Second Edition – The 8(a) Program.” 

Nicole’s practice focuses exclusively on federal government contract law. In this endeavor, Nicole draws on her civil litigation experience to zealously advocate for clients in several areas of government contracts litigation, including GAO bid protests and SBA size and status protests. Establishing and maintaining quality client relations is and has always been of the upmost importance to Nicole—ask any one of her many long-term, valued clients here at Koprince.  

Nicole also leverages her intensive training in legal research and writing to assist clients in transactional needs, including a wide range of complex legal agreements. She is a meticulous drafter and reviewer, well-known for her perceptive eye and ability to identify and draft-to-avoid contractual issues that could potentially arise down the road.  

Nicole also utilizes her finely-tuned persuasive writing skills and polished understanding of SBA’s socioeconomic program requirements to assist clients with program admissions, certifications, and denial appeals. Nicole has a specialized knowledge and deep understanding of SBA’s 8(a) Program, as well as a passion for helping disadvantaged individuals utilize it. This inspired her to draft the 8(a) Handbook and her many 8(a) SmallGovCon blog posts; and it is what drives her in crafting her quality social disadvantage narratives that truly capture her clients’ stories.   

Prior to joining Koprince Law, Nicole worked in civil litigation, where she specialized in medical malpractice, railroad collisions, wrongful-death, traumatic brain injury, and product liability. In that position, Nicole represented clients in multi-million-dollar state and federal lawsuits. 

At Washburn University School of Law, Nicole served on the Washburn Intellectual Property Society and worked as a “Legal Analysis, Research, and Writing” teaching assistant and a research assistant for the head of the Washburn Government Law Department. There, her research and editing contributed to the American Bar Association’s Administrative and Regulatory Law News publication. Nicole received her B.A. from the University of Kansas, where she dual majored in psychology and biology.  

Here at Koprince, Nicole relies on her technical background, proficiency in legal analysis and writing, and her teaching skills to assist clients in navigating the intricacies of government contracts law. She spends most of her free time outdoors with her husband and son, where she enjoys hiking, kayaking, snowboarding, and fishing. Nicole is a volunteer at a local animal rescue, which is how she ended up a few dogs of her own. She is also an avid yogi and a fierce traveling kickball player. 

Nicole can be reached by telephone at (785) 200-8919 or by email at npottroff@koprince.com. 

Bar Admissions

  • Kansas
  • Missouri

Professional Associations & Memberships

  • Kansas Bar Association
  • Missouri Bar Association

Education

  • J.D., Washburn University School of Law
  • B.A., The University of Kansas

Speaking

  • “Still a Game Changer: The SBA’s All Small Mentor-Protege Program (2021 Update).” Co-Presenter. 2021 Govology Webinar.
  • “8(a) Joint Ventures.” Co-Presenter. 2021 SBA Training Webinar, El Paso District Office.
  • “10 Myths of Selling To The Government.” Guest Presenter, 2020 The GovCast Podcast
  • “Understanding and Obtaining the SBA’s WOSB and EDWOSB Certifications.” Co-Presenter, 2020 Govology Webinar
  • “Buy American Act, Berry Amendment, and Trade Agreements Act.” Co-Presenter, 2020 Govology Webinar
  • “Affiliations”, Co-Presenter, 2020 Iowa State University Center for Industrial Research and Service PTAC Webinar

Recent Publications

Recent YouTube Videos

Representative Matters

  • Drafted numerous social disadvantage narratives for 8(a) Program applications.
  • Drafted successful OHA Appeal of 8(a) Program denial.
  • Drafted supplemental protest for originally-pro se protester resulting in corrective action in $40 million procurement.  
  • Prepared SBA OHA Size Protest raising affiliation issues such as ostensible subcontractor affiliation.
  • Drafted Intervenor Responses to SBA OHA Size Protests defending issues such as ownership and control.
  • Served as primary drafter of a successful pre-award protest challenging the small business set-aside designation’s conformity with the Rule of Two.
  • Participated on briefing team for GAO bid protest in a $100 million procurement challenging various issues with the agency’s evaluation.
  • Served as primary drafter of numerous GAO bid protests to the terms of solicitations and contract awards.
  • Prepared Intervenor Comments for GAO bid protest challenging agency awards.
  • Drafted joint venture agreements for SDVOSB, VOSB, EDWOSB, WOSB, 8(a) Program, and small business set-aside procurements.
  • Prepared operating agreements for small businesses and small business joint ventures focused on incorporating specific client needs while maintaining SBA regulation-compliance.