Nikki Staines is a Manhattan defense attorney who has faced off against the Special Victims Unit for several years. After she was raped, the SVU investigated her case and arrested the culprit. She took time off from her job to recover from her experience but returned in 2021.
Background[]
Not much is known about Nikki, only that she was previously married to a man who would later divorce her in 2019. Their union would produce a daughter named Attica Staines.
On SVU[]
In March 2019, Staines was sexually assaulted by a very successful lawyer named Rob Miller at a police charity ball. Nikki wanted SVU to help her, which eventually led to Miller stalking and threatening her and her daughter when he was released on bail two months later. She refused to testify after he killed her dog, as she wanted to protect her child. Despite being frightened of him, she helped the Special Victims Unit imprison Miller for the murder of a teenage girl.
After Miller was arrested for the first time, Staines told Benson she could no longer be a defense attorney as she had defended rapists in the past and now felt guilty after being raped herself and quit her job. Benson comforted her after she broke down in tears. During the trial, Stone asked Nikki for her help, which she reluctantly agreed to and they were able to get Miller sent to prison. (SVU: "Blackout", "End Game")
In 2021, Staines returned and was seen defending Tori Warshofsky after she was suspected of aiding in a robbery. (SVU: "Nightmares In Drill City")
Known Clients[]
- Craig Fulton (SVU: "Choice")
- Dr. Matt Spevak (SVU: "Bound")
- Tom Metcalf (SVU: "Imposter")
- Dr. Lorraine Franchella (SVU: "Dare")
- Tony Kelly (SVU: "Revenge")
- Wyatt (SVU: "Blackout")
- Tori Warshofsky (SVU: "Nightmares In Drill City")