Rolanda J. Nicolas
Partner
Jacksonville Office
4190 Belfort Road, Suite 150
Jacksonville , Florida 32216
Rolanda J. Nicolas is a partner in the Jacksonville office of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. With over 10 years of experience, Ms. Nicolas has expertly interpreted legal issues, conducted mediations, and administered contract and policy developments, for non-profit, profit, and government sectors. Ms. Nicolas areas of practice are emphasized in labor and employment matters, bankruptcy, government and legislative affairs, and regulatory and compliance services.
As an attorney, Ms. Nicolas served as lead counsel advocating on behalf of minor children as a court-appointed attorney in the 11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program. She litigated all aspects of more than 300 Dependency and Termination of Parental Rights cases in the Dependency and Unified Family Court Complex Litigation Division. Her representation extended to guardianship and family matters, including divorces, dissolutions, private custody, and child support.
Ms. Nicolas also played a crucial role in investigating and presenting best interest recommendations to the Court for minors in child support, delinquency, abuse, neglect, and dependency cases. Her responsibilities included analyzing Federal, State, and local laws and policies, administering training to GAL volunteers and staff, and drafting and arguing pleadings, reports, and motions in a timely manner.
During her tenure at the 17th Judicial Circuit Court in Broward County, Ms. Nicolas served as a Court Program Specialist II in the Dependency-Unified Family Court. In this role, she was an experienced administrator managing the daily operations of the Unified Family Court. Ms. Nicolas oversaw various administrative tasks, including document processing, project management, and record collection. She actively coordinated with attorneys, outside agencies, and court personnel to ensure compliance with Court policies and procedures, and she ensured all parties complied with statutory requirements related to document submission. Additionally, she reviewed and identified pertinent issues to the Court prior to hearings and prepared and managed Unified Family Court crossover cases, which included domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, and domestic relations cases.
Ms. Nicolas earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law in May 2010, where she received the Certificate of Outstanding Achievement in Pro Bono Work (105+ hours) and was a 2009 Equal Justice Works Summer Corps Fellowship Recipient. She was also the Founding Treasurer and Member of the Florida Law Association for Women in 2007. Additionally, she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Art in Political Science from the University of Florida in May 2007, with a Certificate in International Relations and a Minor in Communication Studies.
She is licensed to practice law in Florida and is fluent in Haitian-Creole and Spanish.
Memberships and Affiliations:
- National Urban League
- 2019-2020 National Urban League Emerging Leaders Program Cohort
- Urban League of Broward County Young Professionals County Chapter: President (2016-2018)
- Akron Urban League Young Professionals Chapter: Member (2018-2019)
- Jacksonville Urban League Young Professionals Chapter: Member (2019-2021), 2020 Elections Vice Chair
- University of Florida Alumni Association - Life Member
- Alumni of Black Association South Florida Chapter: Vice President of Outreach (2015-2018)
- Alumni of Black Association Jacksonville Chapter: Destination ABA Chair (2020-2022)
- Pi Eta Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
- Member (2020-current): Empowering Our Families Co-Chair (2022-current)
- Florida Blue Key Leadership Honorary