The Life and Work of Nicole Sophia-Calhoun Huddleston
Introduction
Nicole Sophia-Calhoun Huddleston is an accomplished American attorney and community leader based in Michigan. She is known for her dedication to strengthening families and supporting marginalized communities. Throughout her career, Huddleston has worked in family law, civil legal aid, and advocacy, helping people access justice. In 2024, she ran for a judgeship on the Oakland County 6th Circuit Court (Family Division), earning recognition for her experience and commitment.
Major Facts About Nicole Sophia-Calhoun Huddleston
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nicole Sophia-Calhoun Huddleston |
| Profession | Attorney, Mediator, Community Advocate |
| Location | Michigan, USA |
| Education | BA – Oakland University; JD – University of Detroit Mercy School of Law |
| Early Career | Volunteer at William Booth Legal Aid Clinic; Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Wayne County |
| Nonprofit Leadership | Managing Director, Detroit Justice Center (Legal Services Practice) |
| Legal Focus | Family law, civil legal aid, housing, criminal defense, civil rights |
| Mediation | ABA-certified mediator in Michigan |
| Judicial Campaign | 2024 candidate, Oakland County 6th Circuit Court (Family Division), ~45% of votes |
| Community Work | Worked with Ruth Ellis Center; board member of The Youth Connection and Matrix Theatre Company |
| Professional Associations | Wolverine Bar Association, Oakland County Bar Association, Straker Bar Association |
| Honors | Appointed to Michigan Supreme Court’s “Justice For All” Commission |
| Personal Life | Lives in West Bloomfield with husband and son; two adult daughters; |
Early Life and Education
Huddleston grew up in Detroit in a working-class family, the daughter of a nursing-home supervisor and a Vietnam veteran. Her parents taught her the importance of service, resilience, and helping others, values that guided her career.
She graduated from Cass Technical High School, known for its strong academics, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from Oakland University. She then earned her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. While in law school, Huddleston was active on the Moot Court Board of Advocates and served as vice president of the Business Law Association. She also gained hands-on experience through internships with federal judges, including U.S. District Judge Marianne Battani and U.S. Circuit Judge Helene White.
Legal and Professional Career
Huddleston’s legal career shows a strong focus on public service and helping the community. Early in her career, she volunteered with Detroit Mercy’s William Booth Legal Aid Clinic (2013–2015), offering free legal help to low-income clients. In 2015, she briefly worked as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, then joined the Legal Aid and Defender Association in Detroit (2015–2016) as a staff attorney. She later worked at Lakeshore Legal Aid in Eastpointe (2016–2018), representing clients in family law and related matters.
In April 2018, Huddleston joined the Detroit Justice Center (DJC), a nonprofit legal advocacy organization, as a staff attorney. She was promoted to Managing Attorney (2019–2022) and became Managing Director of DJC’s Legal Services Practice in December 2022. In this role, she led programs providing free legal aid to returning citizens, veterans, and underserved families. She helped clients with family law, housing, criminal cases, civil rights, and debt-collection defense, coordinating with local organizations to make legal services accessible and support strong families.
Alongside her nonprofit work, Huddleston runs a private law practice in West Bloomfield, Michigan, specializing in family law, estate planning, and mediation. She is an ABA-certified mediator and actively participates in professional legal associations.
Community Engagement and Advocacy
Huddleston’s dedication to the community goes beyond her legal work. She has focused on helping underserved populations, partnering with organizations like the Ruth Ellis Center to provide free legal services to LGBTQ youth, including help with name changes. She has also represented same-sex couples in child custody cases, working to ensure fair treatment for all families.
Her community involvement includes serving on boards such as The Youth Connection, mentoring at-risk youth, and participating in advisory panels like the Center for Employment Opportunities. She is also on the executive board of the Matrix Theatre Company, supporting diversity and social change in the arts. Professionally, she is active with the Wolverine Bar Association, Oakland County Bar Association, and Straker Bar Association, showing her commitment to both legal excellence and community impact.
2024 Judicial Campaign
In 2024, Huddleston ran as a non-incumbent candidate for a judgeship on Oakland County’s 6th Circuit Court (Family Division). She moved from the August primary to the November general election, focusing on expanding access to justice, improving family-court support for mental health and substance-use issues, and reducing procedural delays. She highlighted her experience in family law and advocacy for vulnerable populations as key qualifications.
Huddleston received about 45% of the vote in the November 5, 2024 election. Her campaign drew attention to the importance of diversity, empathy, and representation on the bench. If elected, she would have been the first Black woman chosen for the 6th Circuit bench without prior appointment.
Achievements and Honors
Huddleston’s work has been recognized both statewide and locally. In 2021, the Michigan Supreme Court appointed her to the “Justice For All” Commission, which works to improve access to civil legal aid. Michigan Supreme Court Justice Brian Zahra praised her legal experience and community service as important contributions to promoting equal justice.
She has also been recognized for her leadership in bar associations, serving on committees and providing legal education through lectures and continuing education programs. Huddleston is widely seen as a social-justice leader and a mentor to aspiring attorneys and young professionals.
Personal Life
Nicole Sophia-Calhoun Huddleston lives in West Bloomfield, Michigan, with her husband and their school-aged son. She is also a mother to two adult daughters from a previous relationship.
Outside of work, Huddleston is active in civic and social organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Jack and Jill of America (North Oakland-Macomb Chapter). She regularly volunteers for youth programs, legal aid efforts, and mentorship initiatives, showing her commitment to community service and helping others.
Conclusion
Nicole Sophia-Calhoun Huddleston’s career brings together law, advocacy, and community service. Through her work in family law, legal aid, and civic engagement, she has consistently supported marginalized individuals and families. Her 2024 judicial campaign, nonprofit leadership, and mentorship efforts show her commitment to justice, fairness, and helping the community. Huddleston is a respected figure in Michigan, inspiring both legal professionals and community advocates with her dedication to service and justice.
