Nakea Barksdale, a Burlington Township native, is an accomplished civil defense attorney at the Baltimore-based law firm of Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman, & Dicker LLP. She credits the jumpstart she got on her legal career as a Law and Public Safety student at Burlington County Institute of Technology (BCIT) for her career success.
Barksdale said BCIT ignited her interest in the legal field and laid the foundation for the discipline, confidence and leadership that define her career today. While studying at BCIT, she served as Class President, earned the distinction of Class of 2012 Salutatorian and competed on the soccer and softball teams.
“My education at BCIT helped me set ambitious standards — standards that have guided every chapter of my journey,” said Barksdale. “From the classroom to the courtroom, I continue to carry the lessons of perseverance, service and integrity that started at the school.”
After graduating from the program in 2012, Barksdale attended Rutgers University and earned a bachelor’s degree. She then went on to attend Rutgers Law School. Her first job after graduation was as a public defender in New Jersey, advocating for individuals in criminal appeals. Barksdale later co-founded the New Jersey Innocence Project to advance the rights of those wrongfully convicted.
Today, Barksdale practices civil defense and represents clients in aviation, trucking and transportation, premises liability and professional liability matters. She also remains deeply dedicated to public service, providing pro bono assistance in criminal expungements and housing matters for low-income communities. Committed to improving the representation of minorities in the legal profession, Barksdale currently serves as co-chair for the Black Employee Resource Group (BRG) at Wilson Elser.
“Looking ahead, I hope to champion community-focused initiatives and inspire the next generation of BCIT students to trust their potential and aim high,” said Barksdale.
