Nicola was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court New Zealand in 2000 and the High Court of the Solomon Islands in 2006.

Nicola is a member of the NZLS Human Rights and Privacy Committee.

Nicola is an experienced criminal defence lawyer. She has practised as a barrister since 2017. Prior to that she worked at the Auckland office of the Public Defence Service for nine years, representing defendants in jury trials and appeals on a wide range of serious charges.

Nicola has international criminal defence experience. She has represented clients in post-conflict and transitional justice environments in the Solomon Islands.

Nicola also worked for the International Legal Foundation representing criminally accused in The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. She helped to build legal aid systems and drive access to criminal justice and reforms.

Nicola has extensive employment law and civil litigation experience and has previously worked at Kensington Swan, Minter Ellison and The Treasury Solicitor, London.

Nicola is able to take instructions privately and is an approved criminal legal aid provider PAL 1-4.