I hate injustice. It infuriates me when powerful institutions wield their influence to crush individuals who lack the money, connections, or political clout to fight back. I have made it my life’s work to stand up for the overlooked, the underestimated, and the dismissed—to fight for those who have no one else in their corner. My career has been defined by high-stakes legal battles where the odds were stacked against my clients, and I have never backed down from taking on the impossible.
When I challenged the military’s discriminatory policies against servicemembers living with HIV, I knew I was up against an entrenched bureaucracy resistant to change. The case was personal. I had seen firsthand how these policies destroyed careers, denied opportunities, and left dedicated servicemembers questioning whether their sacrifices even mattered. I refused to accept that injustice as the status quo. I fought back, and in doing so, I helped force the military to reckon with outdated policies that had no basis in modern science or military readiness. This is the kind of fight I take on every day—using the law not just as a tool, but as a weapon for justice.
Discriminatory Policies Don’t Just Happen—They Are Designed
Discrimination in the military isn’t a fluke or an oversight. Policies that target specific groups are created and upheld by people in power who benefit from maintaining the status quo. In my case, military leaders clung to outdated policies on HIV because it was easier to exclude people than to adapt. They ignored medical advances, disregarded expert recommendations, and chose stigma over facts.
These kinds of policies don’t just impact individuals—they weaken the institution itself. When capable, dedicated servicemembers are pushed out due to discrimination, the military loses talent. Morale suffers. Trust erodes. Yet, instead of correcting these injustices, bureaucratic leaders often double down on bad decisions, convinced that their authority is more important than the people they are supposed to serve.
I have seen this play out time and time again—not just in the military, but in government agencies, corporate boardrooms, and courtrooms across the country. Those in power rarely change on their own. They have to be forced. That’s where the fight begins.
Fighting Back Requires More Than Legal Arguments
Winning a case like mine wasn’t just about crafting legal arguments—it was about strategy, persistence, and knowing how to apply pressure in the right places. Bureaucracies move slowly, and they count on the fact that most people will get tired and give up before real change happens. That’s why I never stop pushing.
In my fight against discriminatory HIV policies, I didn’t just rely on the courts. I built a coalition of advocacy groups, engaged with policymakers, and worked with the media to expose the failures of the system. I made it impossible for the government to ignore the injustice. And when they tried to stall or deflect responsibility, I held them accountable every step of the way.
This is the approach I take in every battle. The legal system alone is not enough—it must be combined with public pressure, political advocacy, and a relentless refusal to accept excuses from those in power.
Leadership Means Taking a Stand—Even When It’s Risky
I have fought these battles not just in court, but in policy, advocacy, and public service. I know what it means to put everything on the line for a cause that matters. The military fought to keep its discriminatory policies. The government dragged its feet on reform. But I refused to be intimidated, because I knew the stakes weren’t just about me—they were about every servicemember who had been denied their rights.
Real leadership isn’t about playing it safe. It’s about making hard choices and standing firm in the face of opposition. I have taken on the fights that others deemed too controversial or too difficult. I have gone up against powerful institutions, not just because it was the right thing to do, but because I know firsthand what it feels like to have no one in your corner. I refuse to let that happen to anyone else.
This Fight Isn’t Over—And I’m Not Done
Challenging the military’s HIV policies was a victory, but it was not the end of the fight. Servicemembers still face discrimination, veterans still struggle to access the benefits they have earned, and government agencies still fail those they are meant to serve. The same bureaucratic indifference that I fought against in my own case exists in countless other policies that hurt people every day.
That’s why I keep fighting. That’s why I continue to stand up for those who have been ignored, underestimated, and pushed aside. Whether I am challenging unfair military policies, defending veterans who have been wronged, or helping small businesses and nonprofits navigate a system that wasn’t built for them, my mission remains the same: to use the law to protect those who need it most.
I have spent my career taking on impossible fights—and winning. And I have no plans to stop now.
About the Author: Nick Harrison is an attorney, advocate, and public servant who has dedicated his career to fighting for justice. He has gone head-to-head with powerful institutions, challenging discriminatory policies, defending veterans, and standing up for those who have no one else in their corner. From taking on high-profile legal battles to helping small businesses and nonprofits navigate complex legal issues, he brings both fierce advocacy and unwavering support to those he represents. His work has not only changed lives—but changed laws. With experience in litigation, policy reform, and leadership under pressure, Nick is committed to using the law as a force for good and ensuring that no one is left behind.
