Norris, John R

Carl Nichols is a partner in the Litigation/Controversy Department, and a member of the Government and Regulatory Litigation and Appellate and Supreme Court Litigation Practice Groups, as well as the Business Trial Group. He is also a member of the Antitrust and Competition, Defense, National Security and Government Contracts and Public Policy and Strategy Practice Groups within the Regulatory and Government Affairs Department. Mr. Nichols joined the firm in 2010.

Mr. Nichols has extensive experience as a litigator. Mr. Nichols joined the firm after having served from 2005 until 2009 in the United States Department of Justice, first as Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Federal Programs Branch of the Civil Division, and later as the Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General. In those positions, Mr. Nichols served as the government’s lead counsel in a number of landmark suits, including the House Judiciary Committee’s lawsuit seeking to enforce subpoenas issued to senior White House officials, several suits filed by the federal government to enjoin state investigations into alleged activities of the National Security Agency, and various lawsuits filed against telecommunications companies alleging their participation in national security programs. Mr. Nichols also personally handled matters arising out of the Fannie Mae securities litigation; cases involving challenges to the constitutionality of federal statutes and Department of Justice regulations; and cases challenging the recommendations of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission.

As Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General, Mr. Nichols advised the Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, and Associate Attorney General on a wide range of legislative, regulatory, policy and litigation matters. He was also responsible for overseeing thirteen components of the Department of Justice, including the Tax Division, Antitrust Division, Environment and Natural Resources Division, Civil Rights Division, and Civil Division. As Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Mr. Nichols supervised the trial-court litigation of the government’s most sensitive civil cases. Mr. Nichols testified several times on various matters before Congressional Committees.

Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Mr. Nichols was a partner in a major national law firm, where he litigated complex commercial cases at the trial and appellate levels on behalf of clients in various industries.

Practice

Mr. Nichols focuses his practice on advising and representing clients before federal agencies and before state and federal courts, including in actions brought by governments, lawsuits against governments, and in congressional investigations. He has handled complex, high-stakes litigation in areas including administrative law, constitutional law, antitrust, and international law and arbitration, on behalf of clients in a wide range of industries.

Professional Activities

Mr. Nichols is a frequent speaker on topics relating to his government service, most notably on national security and separation of powers issues.

Honors and Awards

Mr. Nichols won numerous awards in connection with his government service, including the Attorney General’s Medallion.