Nichole Opkins was appointed to the District of Columbia Office of Administrative Hearings in 2021 and presides over cases in the unemployment insurance jurisdiction. Prior to her appointment, Judge Opkins served as Senior Counsel to DC Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) for seven years, advising on legislative policy and agency rulemaking. She worked closely with constituents, business owners, first responders, advocacy groups, and colleagues throughout District government.
In 2012, Judge Opkins was elected as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for ANC6B06, where she represented her constituents before District agencies on matters affecting their community, helped connect residents with District services and information, and encouraged neighbors to work together. Before her career in public service, Judge Opkins was an Assistant General Counsel with the Association of Corporate Counsel, a global legal association with 45,000 members. She worked to anticipate the needs of the in-house bar, delivering legal resources and supporting advocacy efforts for the in-house counsel community.
Judge Opkins was born in the District of Columbia, received her undergraduate degree from Saint Mary’s College of Maryland, and her Juris Doctor from the David A. Clarke School of Law, University of the District of Columbia.