Nicole Bearse was born and raised in the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts and graduated cum laude from Lesley University with a BS in Human Services. She then relocated to Lexington, Kentucky, where she received her JD from the University of Kentucky, Rosenburg College of Law in 2003. Ms. Bearse is a member of the American Bar Association, the Kentucky Bar Association, the Franklin County Bar Associations has been accepted as a Fellow with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Ms. Bearse is admitted to practice before the United States District Courts in the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky and before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Following law school, Ms. Bearse worked as staff attorney to Hon. O. Reed Rhorer, Family Court, 48th Judicial Circuit, Frankfort, Kentucky for nearly three years. Thereafter, she began her private practice with a focus primarily in all areas of family law and mediation and ultimately became a partner at Johnson Bearse, LLP in Frankfort. Ms. Bearse is a Certified General Civil Mediator, with a specialization in Family Mediations. She is also a trained Guardian ad Litem and Friend of the Court and assists with the representation of, and making recommendations related to, the best interests of children in court. Ms. Bearse has spent her career learning the intricacies of all areas of family law and practices at both the trial and appellate court levels.

Additionally, Ms. Bearse is the Vice President of the Board for Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, for which she has served as a board member for more than twelve years. Ms. Bearse has also served on multiple committees relating to the modification of the Kentucky Family Court Rules of Procedure and Practice and when requested by the Kentucky Bar Association. Ms. Bearse lives with her husband and two daughters in Lexington.

Lesley University, B.S., cum laude, (2000)

University of Kentucky, Rosenburg College of Law, J.D. (2003)