About
Meet Nicole
Nicole D’Ambrogi has dedicated her career to upholding the law, protecting the vulnerable, and strengthening the integrity of the justice system.
A Foundation of Responsibility
I am running for Superior Court Judge because I have seen what can happen when a judge uses authority the way it is meant to be used.
I watched someone close to me struggle in a cycle that the system could not seem to interrupt. Then one judge stepped in, set a firm boundary, and imposed accountability. That decision changed the direction of a life. Chaos gave way to structure. The cycle stopped. Recovery began.
That experience shaped how I view the role of a judge. Judicial authority is not symbolic. It is the responsibility to make hard decisions, apply the law, protect public safety, and ensure that court orders matter.
That is the kind of discipline, steadiness, and commitment I hope to bring to the Superior Court of San Diego County.
Service in Uniform and Law
I enlisted in the United States Navy and served from 2005 to 2010 as a Master-at-Arms, the Navy’s law enforcement and security rating. I was assigned to Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, where I was entrusted with protecting critical national defense assets. That role required constant vigilance, strict compliance with security protocols, and sound judgment in environments where precision mattered.
I later served as Base Police at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Crete, Greece. In that role, I conducted patrol and emergency response operations and advanced into supervisory leadership positions, including Watch Commander. I oversaw personnel, coordinated security operations, and worked alongside joint and international partners in a complex operational setting.
My military service established the professional foundation I carry into my legal career today: preparation, accountability, disciplined decision-making, and respect for institutional responsibility.
Service In The Community
In 2015, I recognized a critical gap in services for women veterans in custody and established a mentor-based program within the county jail. I met with participants each week, emphasizing personal responsibility while helping them develop structured plans for stability after release. That work reinforced something I have seen throughout my career: accountability and dignity are not opposing forces. Together, they strengthen both the individual and the justice system.
I now serve as Director of Clinical Programs at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, and I previously led the Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic. In those roles, I train future attorneys, help expand access to justice, and work to keep service at the center of legal education.
I have also provided pro bono legal services to seniors facing exploitation and housing instability. When a long-standing community clinic was at risk of closing, I stepped in and sustained it for four years, including through the COVID-19 pandemic, so that vulnerable residents could continue receiving trusted legal support.
Legal Career Built On Experience
I founded San Diego Legacy Law, PC, where my practice has focused on probate, trust administration, conservatorships, guardianships, and family law matters. I have represented individuals and families in contested proceedings, including bench trials, evidentiary hearings, and motion practice in matters involving significant personal and financial consequences.
My experience also includes administrative proceedings, including matters before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and the Social Security Administration. I have also served on the court-appointed attorney list, representing vulnerable and at-risk individuals in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, where personal autonomy, safety, and due process are often directly at issue.
Licensed in three states and holding advanced legal degrees, I have built my legal career on preparation, professionalism, and the careful application of the law. My work reflects a commitment to protecting families, serving vulnerable individuals, and approaching each matter with fairness, diligence, and respect for the court.
