[5] Nicholson received the Skadden Fellowship out of Harvard Law School, and designed, launched, and led a new community economic development practice in Lynn, Massachusetts.

[8] During that time, he helped develop a new initiative for students across the district to learn job skills after school,[9] and founded the city's wrestling team.

[23] Nicholson’s administration also designed and implemented a program to provide free legal representation to residents being evicted from their homes.

[34] The focus of Nicholson’s administration on jobs has included a major increase in the City’s involvement in workforce development by preparing Lynn residents for good careers, funding Commercial Driver’s License training to fill a City hiring need,[35] expanding access to English classes,[36] and supporting the vocational school’s expansion of adult education in high demand trades.

[37] A focal point for inclusive long-term growth has been Lynn’s waterfront, the subject of an extensive, coordinated planning effort.

[40] Nicholson has made inclusivity a hallmark of his Administration,[2] leading an effort to improve language access to city services for multilingual residents by hiring a team of interpreters.

[41] He has announced plans for the City to launch an independent, unarmed crisis response team to address mental health needs and further racial justice.

[62] Nicholson also finalized a conservation restriction for Lynn Woods, a 2,200 acre municipal forest park, permanently guaranteeing its preservation.

[63] In 2024, he accepted a Municipal Innovation Award on behalf of the City in recognition of its efforts to combat hunger through a collaborative, multi-service food hub.