Nakia has experience with environmental policy, pipeline safety, citizen suits pursuant to the Clean Water Act, hydroelectric power, and incident response. She helps clients navigate matters involving the US Department of Justice, the Department of Energy (DOE), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

Prior to joining Mintz, Nakia practiced at a firm focused on energy, environmental, and natural resources law with offices around the country. Before and during law school, Nakia served in the US Marine Corps for more than two decades, holding leadership positions for 20 years and retiring as an Operations Officer. While serving in the military, she held many managerial, investigatory, and international roles, gaining a broad spectrum of experience in risk assessment, cybersecurity, compliance, and other areas.

In addition to her practice, Nakia regularly speaks and writes articles on environmental, energy, and federal Indian law issues. Additionally, she has co-authored chapters in treatises on hydroelectric power and regulation issues.

While attending law school, Nakia worked as a law clerk at the DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and a staff member of the First Amendment Law Review and also won awards for trial and oral advocacy. She was also accepted into the US DOJ Attorney General’s Honors Program, which entailed a post-graduation position as assistant general counsel at the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the Sensitive and Strategic Information Litigation Section. In that role, she handled complex litigation involving the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act related to national security, technology, data, high-visibility activities, and other sensitive matters.

Nakia also co-founded and serves as director of the Proud Fight Foundation, a North Carolina–based nonprofit that provides financial assistance to low-income families of children with a cancer diagnosis.