Nick brings substantial experience in white collar criminal defense, internal investigations, and commercial litigation. He represents individual and corporate clients in state and federal courts, guiding them through every stage from preliminary investigations to final appeals.

Nick’s white collar practice includes defending clients in cases involving bribery, corruption, embezzlement, fiduciary issues, workplace safety, and environmental crimes. He also conducts internal investigations into whistleblower claims and provides compliance counsel on the FCPA and international trade sanctions.

On the commercial litigation side, Nick handles domestic and international contract disputes, tort liability, and statutory compliance matters across various industries, including energy, construction, insurance, consumer products, and environmental sectors.

White Collar Criminal Defense

• Obtained a directed verdict of “not guilty” for the CEO of an international chemical company after a multi-week jury trial on felony air emissions charges stemming from fire during Hurricane Harvey.
• Represented a former corporate officer in parallel insider trading investigations by the DOJ and SEC, resulting in declinations of both criminal prosecution and civil enforcement action.
• Negotiated plea agreements for an individual indicted in two separate cases for timeshare telemarketing and biodiesel fraud, including counts for mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice.
• Represented U.S. and UK entities of a global risk consulting firm in grand jury proceedings and a shareholder derivative suit regarding Foreign Corrupt Practices Act implications of an Angolan drilling contract.
• Represented a Webb County judge in an investigation by the Texas attorney general regarding an alleged influence peddling and kickback scheme.
• Represented a local emergency service district commissioner in a government investigation regarding the misappropriation of public funds.
• Counseled a construction management company regarding a flash fire at a crude oil plant, including representation before the Chemical Safety Board and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
• Assisted a liquid asphalt and fuel oil company in avoiding an indictment through a plea agreement on the Clean Water Act, Oil Pollution Act, Migratory Birds Treaty Act, and Endangered Species Act allegations.
• Represented an industrial testing and certification company in responding to a civil investigative demand on False Claims Act qui tam action, resulting in the DOJ declining to intervene.
• Negotiated settlement and integrity agreements on behalf of a private physician accused of making claims for payment from Medicare in violation of the False Claims Act.
• Collaborated with Texas Appleseed on a statewide criminal discovery transparency project regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the Michael Morton Act.

Internal Investigations

• Performed an internal investigation into potential FCPA violations arising from dealings between a drilling company’s international agent and Kuwaiti customs officials.
• Performed an internal investigation for a holding company regarding alleged related party transactions by subsidiary gentlemen’s clubs and restaurants.
• Conducted an investigation and self-disclosure to the Office of Foreign Assets Control regarding potential Trading with the Enemy Act violations by a Mexican manufacturing subsidiary of a Fortune 500 industrial company, resulting in the issuance of a cautionary letter.
• Conducted an investigation and self-disclosure to the Bureau of Industry and Security regarding the unlicensed export of a crime-controlled “ankle monitor” offender tracking devices, resulting in the issuance of a warning letter.

Business Litigation and Dispute Resolution

• Represented an engineering, procurement, and construction management firm in a bet-the-company trial regarding an alleged agreement to sell the business, resulting in a judgment that no enforceable agreement existed.
• Represented the families of underage sexual assault victims in a deceptive trade practices and assault and battery trial, obtaining a $1.3 million jury verdict, and related appeals.
• Represented a national property management firm in a trial de novo of a residential eviction dispute.
• Pursued insurance and indemnity claims arising from a refinery steam line rupture for a Fortune 500 engineering and construction company, resulting in an eve-of-trial settlement.
• Assisted with the trial preparation and negotiations resulting in a morning-of-trial settlement of claims for misappropriation of trade secrets concerning a construction job site safety management system.
• Defended a coiled tubing fatigue monitoring software manufacturer in product defect claims regarding the failure of tubing at a well site, obtaining a settlement at mediation.
• Defended a local restaurant in trademark infringement action regarding online advertising, obtaining a settlement shortly after moving for summary judgment.
• Defended a medical center in breach of contract action regarding an elevator service agreement, obtaining a settlement shortly after moving for summary judgment.

• Super Lawyers® Texas Rising Star, White Collar (2018-2019)
• Houstonia Magazine, Top Lawyer (2019-2023)
• Best Lawyers in America®: Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2025-2026)