Nicole Evans was working at the counter as a deputy clerk at 54-B District Court when she began to form her philosophy of what a court should be.
She was years away from being a lawyer — and, in fact, had no intention of becoming one. But her experience at the counter gave her a front-row seat to witness just how scary and intimidating it could be for a member of the public to enter a courthouse. As a deputy clerk, she did what she could to make sure the court was a place where, no matter who entered, they were treated with dignity and respect.
“We just need to give our court users the best service possible, however possible,” Evans, now court administrator for 54-B, said she often tells her staff. “There’s nothing that prevents us from being friendly, from giving the best service.”
That mission, combined with a fierce dedication to access to justice, is one she can now spread even further.
On Sept. 19, 2025, Evans was sworn in as chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Representative Assembly by Court of Appeals Judge Kristina Robinson Garrett.
As chair, Evans said she plans to continue her commitment to providing the public with the best service possible. She plans to do that by focusing on access to justice efforts, addressing Michigan’s legal deserts, and increasing attorney awareness of the RA.
As a court administrator, Evans works in the courthouse every day, which gives her a unique perspective as an attorney that she said will help her as RA chair.
“I want to use my experience as a court administrator to move the court into a place of service. I want to use available technology to allow our users to have an informed experience and not be afraid, because now they’re engaging with court staff who are here to assist them as opposed to people who are going to place judgment,” she said.
Using technology to expand access to justice is nothing new for Evans, who was instrumental in utilizing technology to ensure that 54-B District Court was able to adapt to the needs of the COVID-19 pandemic. She’s also used technology to implement the court’s virtual counter, coordinate a virtual expungement clinic and provide judicial access at local license restoration clinics.
Beyond her experience as a court administrator, Evans has held several positions within the court that have given her an even deeper view into the legal system.
After serving for several years as deputy court clerk, she served as a probation officer and then as chief probation officer. Evans also served as city clerk for the city of East Lansing before returning to 54-B as its deputy court administrator.
Beyond her professional life, she is also a member of the Michigan Court Administrators Association, National Association of Court Management, American Inns of Court Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, the Ingham County Bar Association, Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, and the Davis-Dunnings Bar Association. She also is a pro bono attorney and volunteers for several community organizations.
Not too shabby for someone who never thought they’d go to law school.
That decision came about from the same commitment that has motivated every advancement in her career: “I felt I could do more,” She knew what was next. It didn’t feel so much like a decision but rather like the “logical next step,” she said.
As a probation officer, she could see the system from both a prosecutorial and defense perspective.
“You’re going before the judge, and you’re providing arguments for and against the defendant whether they’re represented or not,” she said.
“I remember where I was when it hit me” she said.
She was driving back to work from lunch one day when she drove by Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Then it happened.
“Oh, my gosh,” she said to herself. “I’m going to go to law school.”
She described it not so much as a decision, but a realization.
“It was more of an ‘Oh, crap’ moment than an “aha” moment or some sweet epiphany,” she said. “That’s because I thought I was done with my educational pursuits after receiving my master’s degree. I didn’t go looking to go to law school or become a lawyer. I felt like it came looking for me.”
She attended night classes at Thomas M. Cooley Law School. After passing the bar exam, she was sworn in by former Judge Richard D. Ball, who served as her mentor at 54-B District Court and had hired her as chief probation officer. She became a member of the State Bar of Michigan in 2011.
She first became involved in the RA in 2018 “purely by happenstance” after a lawyer friend told her about it. Until then, she hadn’t been aware of what the RA did.
She calls the RA the “best kept secret” in the legal profession and wants to urge other Michigan attorneys to get involved.
“Attorneys don’t realize how much is happening with the RA and how much impact they can have on the legal profession if they are part of it,” she said.