Nick is co-chair of the firm’s Energy, Telecommunications and Utilities team, which was ranked “Tier 1” on U.S. News-Best Lawyers Best Law Firms 2019 list in Indianapolis for energy law.
Nick concentrates his practice in two distinct substantive legal disciplines. He represents utilities before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) in virtually all types of regulatory matters. His practice includes general rate cases, certificate of public convenience and necessity and other preapproval proceedings for environmental controls or capacity additions, mergers and acquisitions, territorial authorizations and disputes, and other facets of regulatory law. Notably, Nick has worked on nearly 100 general rate cases before the IURC covering virtually all sectors of utility service, such as electricity, gas, water and wastewater. His rate case experience ranges from some of the largest utilities in the state to some of the smallest.
Nick also focuses his practice on representing and advising municipalities and local units of government in utility, annexation, reorganization, funding and budget issues. He has more than two decades of experience advising and representing municipalities that are navigating the annexation process, and during that time has seen two major overhauls of the annexation code. Nick has worked on some of the largest and most complex annexations in Indiana’s history.
Nick is also committed to diversity and inclusion, having been awarded the firm’s Camille B. Conway Diversity Award for promoting diversity in his own practice and the community. In 2018, he participated in Diversity Lab’s Diversity in Law Hackathon, where his team developed the Pay Equity Pledge, which won “Crowd Favorite” and will be implemented across the nation and throughout the industry.
Decades of experience in the practice of law and a background in accounting aid Nick in conserving his client’s time and resources, and in answering even the most difficult or sophisticated questions quickly and succinctly. Nick strives to cultivate close working relationships with clients that go beyond just legal advice, and is appreciated by everyone around him for his cogent and persuasive arguments.
Professional and Community Involvement
Adjunct professor, College of Business, Butler University, 1993-1999
Member, Indiana State Bar Association
Member, 7th Circuit Bar Association
Various leadership roles, Indiana State Bar Association Utilities Section, Electricity Division and the Water and Sewer Division
Board of directors, Dove Recovery House for Women (which provides comprehensive programming and treatment services for women recovering from substance abuse and addiction)
Honors
Chambers USA, 2023
The Best Lawyers in America, 2006-2024, Lawyer of the Year, 2013