Jessie R. Nicholson, Esq. has led Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services as Chief Executive Officer since August 2007. Previously she held the positions of Deputy Executive Director, Senior Leadership Attorney, and Staff Attorney with the organization.

Ms. Nicholson is active in leadership of both the Minnesota State Bar Association and Ramsey County Bar Association. She currently sits on the MSBA's Assembly, Board of Governors, and Professionalism Committee and the RCBA's Diversity Committee. Other professional affiliations include: Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers; African American Project Directors Association for Legal Services Law Firm Executive Directors; and National Legal Aid and Defender Association.

Ms. Nicholson is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Heritage Honors Award from the University of Northern Iowa; Distinguished Service Award from the former William Mitchell College of Law. She has been recognized with the MSBA Civil Litigation Section: Advocate Award (2014) and MN Black Women Lawyers Network Achievement Award (2013). She was recently featured in the exhibit A Celebration of Women in Law, organized by the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. Ms. Nicholson is also a member of the board of the University of St. Thomas School of Law

Ms. Nicholson received her Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law (1985).