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Rebecca Catherine Nichols dies at 29

Rebecca Catherine Nichols, daughter of Merle N. Stern and James H. Nichols Jr., died on Oct. 5 at 29.
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October 17, 2012

Rebecca Catherine Nichols, daughter of Merle N. Stern and James H. Nichols Jr., died on Oct. 5 at 29. 

Nichols graduated from La Canada High School in 2001 and from Yale cum laude with honors in political science in 2005. Before studying law at the University of California, Berkeley, she worked for two years for an NGO in Quito, Ecuador, which promoted good governance. At Berkeley, Nichols served as senior editor of the Berkeley Journal of International Law and worked with many public interest law clinics. She received her J.D. in 2010 and worked as an associate at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips in general civil litigation. She served on the New Leadership Council of Bet Tzedek and recently received the State Bar of California’s Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Services.  

Nichols is survived by her mother, Merle N. Stern; father, James H. Nichols Jr.; brother, David A. Nichols; aunt, Martha Simon; uncle, Mark Stern; and great-uncle, Peter Gluck. 

Her family and friends will always remember her devotion to them, her sense of adventure, her warmth, her charm, and the keen intelligence and zest she brought to all her activities.

Services were held on Oct. 14 at Mount Sinai Memorial Parks in Hollywood Hills.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bet Tzedek Legal Services in memory of Rebecca Nichols.

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