Nick Dickerson

For over a decade, Nick Dickerson has built a practice focused on white collar criminal defense, internal investigations and commercial litigation. He has significant courtroom and practical experience representing individual and corporate clients in state and federal courts at every stage, from preliminary investigations to final appeals.

Nick's white collar practice is devoted to defending clients implicated in investigations and prosecutions related to matters ranging from bribery, corruption and embezzlement to fiduciary issues, workplace safety and environmental crimes. He also regularly conducts internal investigations into whistleblower claims, and provides compliance and enforcement counsel on the FCPA and international trade sanctions.

On the commercial side, Nick handles a wide range of issues involving domestic and international contract disputes, tort liability and statutory compliance matters across multiple industries, including the energy, construction, insurance, consumer and environmental sectors.

Nick’s representative experience includes:

White Collar Criminal Defense

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

Internal Investigations

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

Business Litigation & Dispute Resolution

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