Nicole Lewis of Atlanta Metro on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Nicole Lewis. Check out our conversation below.

Nicole, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Traveling . . .especially traveling with my granddaughter. I am possessed with a tremendous amount of wanderlust and I love exploring different countries, often by myself. In 2023, I took my then two-and-a-half year old granddaughter to Jamaica and that was it . . .I’d found my new traveling partner! I didn’t get my passport until I was 30, though I’d been out of the country a few times before then. My baby has three passport stamps already at the age of four. This might not seem like a big deal to some people, but it is to me as an American-born Black Woman. I want to show her the world! We have a wonderful time together.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure! I’m Attorney Nicole S. Lewis, and I’m the Managing Attorney of the Law Office of Nicole S. Lewis, LLC. I describe my firm as a “boutique law practice offering professional, larger-firm quality representation.” Currently, I am the only attorney and I have two legal assistants. When most people think of a boutique, they think of a place that provides customized service, and that is what we do here at LewisLawGA. While I have two main practice areas . . .personal injury and traffic ticket defense, I narrow my focus even further by being selective about which cases I accept. I have designed my screening process to try to make sure that I am the best fit for my clients, and vice versa. I am a zealous advocate while managing client expectations. I do not over promise and under deliver. A common compliment that I hear from clients and that I have read on my client reviews is how great I am at explaining the process and communicating clearly.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I don’t know if it ever served a purpose, but I used to make myself overly available to others and this was not always reciprocated. In fact. it often wasn’t. I was that “shoulder to lean on” and cheerleader for others, but I didn’t always get that same energy in return. Some would call it “people pleasing.” It certainly wasn’t a conscious decision and I couldn’t always articulate these feelings. There are levels to it. I just knew that it didn’t feel good. As I dealt with my own stressors, I started feeling depleted and discontent and I finally gave myself permission to feel those feelings fully, instead of minimizing or dismissing them. It took some introspection, inner work, and journaling for me to realize what I was allowing and I gave myself permission to change. I began to set and maintain boundaries and to expect reciprocity. The people who are my good friends have always been solid and they continued to be solid. Those in which the dynamic was more parasitic on their end were released or faded away naturally. With every release I have felt lighter . . . like I was releasing sandbags that weighed me down.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self that I’ve always been enough.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
*laughs* Yes, absolutely! I am truly an authentic person, but I don’t feel the need to create false intimacy by oversharing or over-revealing. What you see is what you get, but there are several layers to who I am as a person. I’m like a rose . . .or a cinnamin roll. *laughs*

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m definitely doing what I was born to do! 100%! I am a natural communicator and advocate. I am also a critical thinker and a problem solver. These are essential tools in my profession. I also have a side job that allows me to travel extensively. I’m truly having a great time and living in my purpose.

Image Credits
Sarah Cousins