Early Life & Career

Nicola was born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. After attending high school in Bulawayo, Nicola worked as an assistant in the marketing department of a paper manufacturing company. However, the plan was always to further her education, and so she attended Rhodes University where she earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree as well as an LL.B.

Legal Training

While in law school in South Africa, Nicola volunteered with the Domestic Violence Unit of the Legal Aid Clinic. In her final year of law school, she also worked as a tutor, providing supplemental instruction to first-year law students in areas of torts and criminal law. After graduating from Rhodes University, Nicola went to work for a law firm in East London, South Africa. There, she clerked for the firm before joining the public law unit as a legal consultant, with the main focus of drafting by-laws for local municipalities and local governments of the region. It was here that she developed a keen interest and skill in writing and research. Wanting to further her knowledge, she then went on to obtain an LL.M. degree at Southern Methodist University. Nicola worked in immigration with a law firm in Fort Worth before attending nursing school.

Nursing Training

Nicola attended Brookhaven College, obtaining an associate degree in nursing. She received her Registered Nursing License in July 2013. She practiced as a psychiatric nurse at a Dallas Mental Health Crisis Unit and Substance Rehabilitation facility in Oak Cliff, Dallas for three years. It was there that she developed a passion for assisting vulnerable members of the community. Working in the crisis unit, Nicola was in charge of reviewing medical records to determine client admission into the treatment facility and referrals to higher levels of care. Nicola acted, for a short time, as nursing director before joining Smith Clinesmith LLP.

Career at Smith Clinesmith

Nicola joined the Smith Clinesmith team in February 2017. Today she is a Senior Associate at Smith Clinesmith, heading the pre-litigation department. With her advanced legal knowledge and experience as a Registered Nurse, Nicola is now able to provide unique perspectives and insights as a Legal Nurse Consultant. Her past careers and diverse knowledge make her an invaluable asset to the firm and to our clients.