Nikelle represents clients in all aspects of local government and real estate with an emphasis in land use and real estate development, public-private partnerships, procurement, and governmental affairs. Her work includes zoning, permitting, land use planning, development application processing and representation before local city councils, business development, relationship management, economic development, zoning boards of adjustment, planning commissions, local governing bodies, and state and local agencies. In short, she helps clients navigate real estate development projects through governmental approvals.
She also has vast experience in commercial transactions including purchases and sales, leases, public financing, and general contracts. Before joining Husch Blackwell, Nikelle was a partner at Brown McCarroll. Nikelle is a member of the firm’s Executive Board.
Industry
Real Estate, Development & Construction Services
Banking & Finance
Condominium & HOA
Corporate Real Estate
Economic Development Impact
Government Solutions
Land Use
Public Law
Public-Private Partnerships (P3)
Real Estate Investment
Recognition
Austin Black Business Journal, Lawyer of the Year, 2019
Austin Black Business Journal, Achievements in Black Austin, 2019
Austin Business Journal, Top 20 People to Know, 2012
Austin Business Journal, Profiles in Power Award, 2009
Austin Monthly Magazine, Top Austin Attorney, Land Use Environment, 2019, 2023
Austin Under 40, 2007
Bisnow, Austin Women Leading Real Estate, 2022
The Business Journals' Influencers: Law, 2018
The Best Lawyers In America®, Real Estate Law, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, 2018-2023; Land Use and Zoning Law, 2020-2023; Best Lawyers® Land Use and Zoning Law "Lawyer of the Year," Austin, 2021
Chambers USA, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, 2022 and 2023
Kappa Alpha Psi Outstanding Community Leader Award, 2013
Lawyers of Color, Wonderful Women, 2023
REDNews, Texas Icons, 2022
Texas Bar Foundation Fellow, 2013-present
Texas Monthly, Top Women Attorneys in Texas, 2020
Thomson Reuters' Texas Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2004-2006, Land Use/Zoning, Legislative & Governmental Affairs, 2016-2019
Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association, Pathfinder Award, 2023
Education
J.D., University of Texas School of Law, Endowed Presidential Scholar, 1992-1995
B.A., University of Texas at Austin, English and Psychology, Texas Excellence Scholar, 1988-1992
Admissions
Texas
Professional Memberships and Certifications
American Bar Association, State and Local Government Section, Business Law Section, Real Property and Trust Section
American Planning Association, state chapter and national chapter
Austin Bar Association, Real Estate Section, Administrative Law Section
Austin Chamber of Commerce, Board Member
Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce, Member
Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, Vice Chair
Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), Austin Chapter
International Bridge, Turnpike and Tunnel Association
National Council for Public Private Partnerships, Member
National Forum for Black Public Administrators, Central Texas Chapter
Opportunity Austin, Investor Representative
Real Estate Council of Austin, President’s Council
Round Rock Chamber of Commerce, Momentum Investor Group
State Bar of Texas, Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section, Business Section
Urban Land Institute – Austin, Advisory Board Member, Creative Culture Council
Languages
German, conversant
Spanish, conversant
Italian, conversant
