Nichols, Eric J. R.

Current Employment Position(s)

Of Counsel

Lawyer Overview

Eric Nichols rejoined Beck, Redden & Secrest in February 2011, and has resumed his private practice in the areas of civil and criminal litigation. His practice centers in part on representing companies and individuals in business and commercial disputes, including during pre-litigation counseling, the prosecution and defense of civil cases filed in court, the defense of civil claims pursued by government agencies, and trials in courts and arbitrations. He also focuses his practice on representing companies and individuals during white-collar criminal investigations and proceedings, in both the federal and state criminal justice systems.

Eric represents clients who work or operate in various industries, including energy, financial services, high tech, and manufacturing. He also represents clients who work or operate in various professions, including accounting, engineering, and law.

Eric rejoined Beck, Redden & Secrest in 2011 after serving for four years as Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice for the Office of the Texas Attorney General. While overseeing the Attorney General's Criminal Justice Divisions, which include over 500 prosecutors, peace officers, and other criminal justice professionals, he remained actively engaged in trial and appellate practice. For example, Eric has in recent months completed seven cases as lead prosecutor for the State of Texas, including five jury trials, in which men have been convicted of sexual assault of children at the YFZ Ranch in Schleicher County.

He is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Eric has been selected by his peers, as published in Texas Monthly and Law & Politics, as a "Texas Super Lawyer," from the time the annual survey began in 2003 through 2009. He has been included in annual rosters for the national publication The Best Lawyers in America. He was profiled in 2001 by the Texas Lawyer as one of "40 Under 40" judges, lawyers, and law professors "across the state whose accomplishments distinguish them among their peers." His work on behalf of clients in private practice has been profiled in the National Law Journal, among other publications.

Eric previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. As an Assistant United States Attorney, he prosecuted white-collar federal criminal matters, including fraud cases relating to health care, banking, investments, customs enforcement, bankruptcy, tax matters, and government procurement.

Eric obtained a J.D. Degree with honors in 1989 from the University of Texas School of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Texas Law Review. He holds a B.A. degree, with distinction, from the University of Virginia.

Following his graduation from law school, Eric served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable David Hittner, United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.

He has has authored several publications on trial practice and procedure for legal journals and law reviews, and actively writes and lectures for various continuing legal education programs throughout the United States.

Areas of Practice

• Criminal Litigation
• Civil Litigation

Representative Cases

• Eric represents clients who work or operate in various industries, including energy, financial services, high tech, and manufacturing. He also represents clients who work or operate in various professions, including accounting, engineering, and law

West Practice Categories

Alternative Dispute Resolution, Antitrust, Business & Commercial, Employment, Employment Law -- Employer, Environmental, Litigation & Appeals, Personal Injury, Personal Injury -- Defense, Products Liability, Securities

Bar Admissions

• Texas, 1989
• U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1993
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1990
• U.S. District Court Western District of Texas, 1990
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 1990

Honors and Awards

• Texas Super Lawyer," from the time the annual survey began, 2003 - 2009
• The Best Lawyers in America
• judges, lawyers, and law professors "across the state whose accomplishments distinguish them among their peers

Past Employment Positions

• Honorable David Hittner, United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, Law Clerk
• Office of the Texas Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General
• Southern District of Texas, Assistant United States Attorney

Education

• The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas, 1989
  J.D.
  Honors: With Honors
  Law Review: Texas Law Review, Editor-in-Chief
• University of Virginia
  B.A.
  Honors: With Distinction

Published Works

• Eric has been selected by his peers, as published in Texas Monthly and Law & Politics, as a "Texas Super Lawyer
• He has been included in annual rosters for the national publication
• His work on behalf of clients in private practice has been profiled in the National Law Journal, among other publications
• several publications on trial practice and procedure for legal journals and law reviews, and actively writes and lectures for various continuing legal education programs throughout the United States.

Address

515 Congress
Suite 1750
Austin, TX 78701

Phones

(512) 708-1000

Faxes

(512) 708-1002

Emails

Contact Us

Websites

http://www.brsfirm.com