Liberty Law graduate shapes policy as legislative director, deputy chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Ben Cline

Sometimes, the best course of action is to work hard, stay patient, and let the chips fall where they may.

For Liberty University School of Law alumna Nicole Manley (’09), the deputy chief of staff and legislative director for U.S. Rep. Ben Cline (R-Va., 6th District), the journey from Liberty University to the halls of Congress was filled with uncertainties — but she remained steadfast while pursuing her goal of one day working in Washington, D.C.

Manley has served in a variety of roles for Rep. Cline, beginning in 2010 as his legislative assistant during his tenure in the Virginia House of Delegates (2002-18) before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Her current role includes staff management, developing Rep. Cline’s legislative agenda, exploring bill ideas, and making sure Rep. Cline’s legislative priorities are addressed and aligned with his constituents.

“Lots of things go on in a congressional office, and day to day is never the same,” said Manley, noting that she knew early on of Cline’s goal to eventually serve in Congress. “I’ve been able to do something different every couple of years, so it hasn’t felt stale. And also, I have a really great boss.”

Manley, a Lynchburg, Va., native, earned a political science degree from Lynchburg College (now University of Lynchburg) before joining the ranks at Liberty Law. While she never planned on practicing law, she knew the experience would bolster her résumé and greatly enhance her career.

“Liberty for me was a natural choice, not only because it is in my hometown but because the law school places a strong emphasis on the Western legal tradition and foundations of constitutional government,” Manley said. “I grew up in a conservative republican household, so it seemed like a natural fit. It was the right choice for me.”

Manley said Liberty Law had a strong focus on oral and written advocacy, which helps her tremendously in her current role. She said her skills in writing talking points and memos, communicating with stakeholders, and drafting legislation can be traced back to her education at Liberty.

As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Cline relies on Manley to manage his entire judiciary portfolio, keeping her deeply involved in matters related to intellectual property, trademark and copyright laws, patents, Second Amendment rights, and other important legal issues.

“It’s a lot of fun, and it’s hard work,” she added. “But it means I get to be part of something much bigger than me. … Our intellectual property is something that is super important for businesses and for people, but it’s also a solid foundation in our way of life. It’s in the Constitution, and it’s something we should be protecting.”

Manley and others were instrumental in introducing the Hearing Protection Act, a critical piece of legislation aimed at removing firearm silencers from the National Firearms Act (NFA) regulations. This legislation was included in the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

While her current career was not part of Manley’s vision when she was a student at Liberty Law, she reflects on her time there as “a solid foundation.”

“Liberty emphasized the roots of American law and the structure of the government, and this not only helps me know it but gives me a lasting appreciation for legal frameworks that inform policy,” she said. “Liberty gave me a solid foundation in constitutional law and a solid basis in legal writing and critical thinking. And these are all things I need. These are skills I use every day when I’m analyzing legislation.”

“It wasn’t quite the original path I wanted, but it was the path I needed,” she added. “It all worked out in the end. Sometimes you just have to have patience and work at it.”