Nick helps clients in highly regulated industries solve complex problems and advance their business objectives. His practical, forward-thinking advice supports clients as they manage risk while navigating the complexities of regulatory requirements, investigations, and high stakes enforcement actions.
Nick helps clients in the beer, wine, and spirits; tobacco and nicotine; and cannabis sectors with all aspects of their federal, state, and local regulatory compliance programs. He works with brand owners, manufacturers, importers, exporters, distributors/wholesalers, and retailers (including online retailers), ranging from emerging growth ventures to established global companies entering the U.S. market for the first time, and global companies established in the U.S. introducing new products into the U.S. market.
Nick guides clients through federal, state, and local licensure, permitting, and excise tax processes, helping them understand the risks and benefits of complex and innovative business models. He also advises on activities impacting his clients' day-to-day operations, such as requirements related to pre-market authorizations, new or amended product registrations or labels, novel advertising and marketing plans, and on the regulatory risks of key business transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, and options for mitigating risks.
Drawing from his deep familiarity with laws and regulatory requirements enforced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and other federal, state, and local agencies, Nick assists clients with building and managing national compliance programs. His work includes helping clients effectively manage and respond to the entire range of federal, state, and local governmental and agency enforcement actions, inquiries, and demands, including state excise taxation audits and requests related to excise taxes and associated licenses. Nick also regularly assists clients with conducting confidential internal investigations.
Before becoming an attorney, Nick served in the U.S. Army in a variety of leadership positions within conventional and special operations forces. His various assignments included combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Nick regularly provides commentary and analysis on legal developments affecting his clients on the Regulatory Oversight and Tobacco Law blogs.
Representative matters may include engagements before joining Troutman Pepper.
Articles + Publications
April 2024
Regulatory Oversight Newsletter — April 2024
Regulatory Oversight
03.25.24
Massachusetts High Court Upholds Local Tobacco Sales Ban
Articles + Publications
04.04.24
Cannabis Communications Newsletters
Articles + Publications
03.15.24
Troutman Pepper State Attorneys General Monitor — March 15, 2024
Regulatory Oversight
03.13.24
California AG Bonta Upholds $21M Penalty Against Ashford University Over GI Bill Errors
Articles + Publications
March 2024
Regulatory Oversight Newsletter — March 2024