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About Me
A path that was not linear but always intentional.
First-generation attorney. Career builder. Coach. The work I do now is the work I needed when I was starting out.
Meet the Founder
Nicole Harris-Crest, Esq.
My path into law was personal. After losing my father to gun violence in Baltimore, I committed to seeking justice and systemic change. I earned my J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Baltimore and began my career at a regional private law firm, drawn in by the prestige, earning potential, and professional growth it offered.
Early on, I made an uncommon move, shifting from litigation to transactional work, and thrived. But over time, I realized that fulfillment did not come from titles or stability. It came from purpose.
That realization led me into nonprofit and government leadership. I have led initiatives in education, workforce development, and community engagement, building programs, securing funding, and championing equity.
Through every chapter, one thing stayed constant: I was always helping others navigate career questions, reviewing applications, clarifying goals, and coaching colleagues through difficult pivots.
In addition to the coaching and support I offer here through Lawfully You, this same commitment led me to found Bar None Pathways, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding law school access and providing professional development for aspiring and early-career attorneys of color, so they can enter, succeed, and thrive in the legal field.
Why I Created Lawfully You
No one handed me a roadmap either.
I struggled. I watched other attorneys and aspiring lawyers struggle with the same things. And I realized I had a choice: hold onto what I had figured out or share it.
I named this Lawfully You because the legal profession has a way of asking you to leave yourself at the door. In the application process, in the job search, in the career decisions you make. This work exists to push back on that.
You do not have to fit a mold to succeed in law. The admission process, the career path, all of it works better when it is built around who you actually are. That is what I help people do.
What Makes My Coaching Different
At Lawfully You, you will not find one-size-fits-all advice. I do not push prestige or generic checklists. I help you make decisions that align with your strengths, your values, and the kind of life you want to build.
Lived Experience
I know what it is like to apply to law school without a roadmap and to question your career even when it looks good on paper. I have walked this path, from private practice to mission-driven leadership.
Strategy + Self-Awareness
We pair practical tools with deep reflection so your next step makes sense on paper and in your gut.
Respect for Your Path
Whether your dream is private practice, public service, or something else entirely, I hold space for your definition of success, not someone else’s.