Nesta is an attorney, teacher, and survivor who has dedicated her career to serving children and families. She earned a B.A. in Philosophy at Stony Brook University and earned her J.D. in Washington, D.C. at the George Washington University Law School. In her first role with The Legal Aid Society’s Juvenile Rights Practice, she represented over 700 children and young adults in Brooklyn Family Court.

Nesta successfully supported many families to reach resolutions that minimized the length, cost, and trauma of Family Court involvement.

As a writing attorney with the Children’s Law Center of New York, Nesta drafted complex Family Court filings and researched, briefed, and argued appeals, earning a perfect appellate record. 

Nesta’s writing has featured in scholarly journals and the media.

Nesta advocated for LGBTQ+ youth, parents, and families with the National Center for LGBTQ+ Rights, where she championed inclusive policies nationwide, supported NCLR’s family litigation work, and provided legal information, technical assistance, and training to professionals and the public.

Nesta is a trained, seasoned faculty-facilitator who has created and delivered effective live and virtual training to diverse audiences.

Nesta believes that every person should be able to make decisions about their bodies and relationships, every family is entitled to recognition, respect, and justice, and every child deserves to be safe and loved.  Lived expertise with family conflict and as a foster care survivor inspired and informs her work.

Nesta is admitted to practice law in New York and Pennsylvania.