Nicholas Opoku

Nicholas is a lawyer with experience in corporate law, strategic litigation, and legal policy. He began his career in the policy and governance space, building strong research, drafting, and analytical skills that continue to shape his practice. He litigated landmark public interest cases before Ghana’s Supreme Court. He later served as an associate at a leading corporate law firm, advising clients including Citibank and BP on cross-border transactions and regulatory compliance.

While studying at Duke University, Nick was involved in various student organizations and clinics, including serving as the LLM Representative with the Black Law Students Association and as a student attorney with the Criminal Law Expunctions Clinic. He received Duke Law’s LLM Award for Leadership and Community Participation in recognition of his leadership and community-building efforts. He also worked as a research associate at Duke University’s Bolch Judicial Institute. After Duke, he worked with Common Cause in Washington, DC., where he supported the redistricting and representation policy team to develop strategies and arguments to address issues arising in redistricting and voting rights in the U.S. Nick’s involvement with Common Cause was the result of garnering the highly competitive Duke Law Farrin Fellowship, making him the first international student in the fellowship’s history to receive this award.

Additionally, Nick contributed to governance reform efforts as a Constitutional Researcher for the Government of Ghana’s Constitution Review Committee, helping draft the committee’s final report, recommending amendments to Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and broader governance reforms. He has also consulted for multilateral and civil society organizations, including UNDP and International IDEA.

Nick brings valuable admissions insight from his experience as an application reader and reviewer at Duke University School of Law. He has mentored aspiring lawyers and guided students through the law school admissions process, helping applicants gain admission to top U.S. law schools, including Duke University School of Law, UC Berkeley School of Law, Georgetown University School of Law, and Cornell Law School.

As a first-generation lawyer, Nick is passionate about helping students navigate law school admissions and develop the skills needed to thrive in the legal profession. His mentoring focuses on helping applicants craft compelling personal narratives, clarify career goals, and present their experiences effectively throughout the application process.

Outside of his professional work, Nicholas enjoys swimming, watching college basketball, and hosting friends. His writing has been published by International IDEA, the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers, and Business & Financial Times.