Nicolas is an experienced litigator who represents insurers, financial institutions, and other businesses in complex disputes involving sophisticated fraud, financial misconduct, and high-stakes commercial litigation, in state and federal courts across the country.
Nicolas has extensive experience representing insurers in disputes involving human-life wagering contracts, also known as stranger-originated life insurance (STOLI) policies and imposter originated (IO) policies. He has played a key role in obtaining several important victories for insurers in their quest to identify and eliminate unlawful STOLI policies. He also represents the insureds’ families to recover unlawful STOLI proceeds when those unlawful benefits are paid to institutional STOLI investors.
His practice also includes high-stakes financial fraud litigation, including matters involving Ponzi schemes, fraudulent investment schemes, and civil claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Nicolas has experience developing litigation strategies in cases involving interconnected individuals and entities, extensive financial records, and sophisticated efforts to conceal or transfer assets.
Nicolas has also represented major pharmaceutical, electronic cigarette, and multinational conglomerate companies in complex class action suits. He served as national counsel on large multi-district litigations, including the National Opioid Litigation where he represented Purdue Pharma, and has represented businesses against consumer protection actions brought by Attorneys General.
Nicolas earned his B.A., cum laude, from the Catholic University of America and his J.D., magna cum laude, from Villanova Charles Widger School of Law. He served as a law clerk for the Honorable Rolando Olvera in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Nicolas has been published by the Villanova Law Review, the Sports Lawyers Journal, the Kansas Law Review, and Thomson Reuters.