Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) highlights the work and impact of alumnus Nick Schnyder ’11, founder of Nick Schnyder Law Firm LLC, whose legal career has been shaped by personal experience, service, and a commitment to uplifting others.
A first-generation college graduate and attorney, Schnyder entered law school without a clear roadmap for the profession. “I didn’t come from a background where this profession was familiar or mapped out,” he said. What sustained him through uncertainty was purpose born from tragedy. After his brother Josh passed away due to medical malpractice, Schnyder found clarity in his calling. “That loss created a fire in me. It gave my work meaning beyond myself.”
During his time at AJMLS, Schnyder recalls a defining classroom moment that reframed how he viewed challenge and growth. A professor once told him, “Nick, you knew just enough to get it wrong.” Rather than feeling discouraged, he leaned into the moment. “I realized that belonging isn’t about getting everything right immediately,” Schnyder said. “It’s about being willing to be challenged, corrected, and sharpened.”
Following graduation, Schnyder gained hands-on experience at a small firm where he learned the business of law from intake through trial. When the opportunity arose to open his own practice in 2016, the decision came at a pivotal moment in his life. “Starting a firm requires total commitment,” he said. “It’s rewarding, but it demands everything you have.” With the support of his wife at the time, he took the leap, building a practice focused on catastrophic injury and medical malpractice cases across Georgia.
As his firm has grown, Schnyder has remained deeply connected to the AJMLS community. He actively employs and mentors fellow alumni, a responsibility he takes seriously. “It’s a duty,” he shared. “I remember desperately needing guidance and someone to believe in me. Because of that, mentorship isn’t optional in my world.”
Many of Schnyder’s most meaningful professional relationships began during law school. “You truly bond with your classmates,” he said. “Those people are likely to last a lifetime.” Some of his favorite memories come from finals week, celebrating the end of exams with classmates who are now colleagues and fellow firm owners. Reflecting on that journey, Schnyder added, “Success doesn’t change you. It just makes you more of who you are. Relationships matter. That’s what lasts.”
Schnyder’s journey reflects the lasting power of the AJMLS community. From first-generation law student to firm leader and mentor, he remains deeply connected to the classmates and institution that shaped him. Through advocacy, mentorship, and shared purpose, Schnyder continues to invest in the next generation of AJMLS graduates while honoring the experiences that first led him to the law.