“To make a difference in someone’s life, you don’t have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful, or perfect. You just have to care enough and be there.” This quote perfectly captures Nyasha’s “why” that led her to the field of law and shaped her journey as a lawyer to make a positive difference. Her "why" keeps her focused on serving marginalized groups, pursuing justice, and working towards equitable solutions.
Nyasha brings to the Center over 20 years of public interest law experience. She spent the early years of her practice litigating thousands of cases as a public defender, child support attorney, and a child welfare agency attorney. Most recently, she served as the court improvement program attorney for the administrative offices of the Tennessee Supreme Court. During her tenure with the Court Improvement Program, Nyasha developed and presented curated training curricula, authored publications, and provided technical assistance to child welfare stakeholders. However, she admits she is most proud of the projects she envisioned and managed such as the Peer Advocate Program and the Model Foster Care Review Boards.
Within the Center, Nyasha works in the Capacity Building Center for State Courts as a senior attorney. In her role as liaison to Court Improvement Programs, she brings a wide-angle lens having worked as an agency attorney and for the courts. Nyasha says “my why remains constant, my commitment is strong, and my passion for this area of law has only strengthened over the years.”
Outside work, Nyasha enjoys hanging-out and traveling with her daughter, visiting quaint live-music venues, and trying small, independent restaurants.