Nicole Johnson

Legal & Systems Strategy Partner

Nicole is an attorney, social worker, and entrepreneur with deep experience advancing fair and effective housing and family support systems. She brings a combined background in family law litigation, clinical social work, and transitional housing program leadership — experience that allows her to move comfortably between direct service realities and systems-level strategy.

Before transitioning into policy and systems design, Nicole represented individuals in family court and landlord-tenant court, where she became known for her ability to guide families through highly sensitive challenges with clarity, rigor, and compassion. Her grounding in real-world experiences continues to inform the way she shapes policy, training, and organizational practices today.

Nicole has managed transitional housing programs for families experiencing homelessness and has provided training, technical assistance, and strategic system planning guidance to communities across the country. She is skilled at navigating complex interagency dynamics, designing practical compliance frameworks, and developing culturally responsive and trauma-informed training materials.

As an entrepreneur, Nicole founded a consulting firm that supports service-based business owners through legal education and brand protection strategies. Her personal experiences with poverty and housing instability shape her approach to law and compliance, balancing risk mitigation with dignity, accessibility, and clarity.

Nicole holds a BS and MSW from Howard University and a JD from the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and camping with her daughter, practicing Pilates, and relaxing with her husband while binge-watching their favorite shows.