►  You can trust Jack to stand up for our environment. 

He protected our watershed when he was a County Commissioner, and he will make sure

the Dix property is preserved as a park.

► You can trust Jack to fight for our children. 

He co-founded Wake County SmartStart, and as a County Commissioner,

he ensured that our schools got the resources they need.

► You can trust Jack to maintain the highest ethical standards in government.

He has taught ethics and has earned a reputation for integrity.

►  You can trust Jack to get the job done. 

As Governor Hunt's Deputy Legislative Director, he successfully fought for significant legislation,

including the Safe Roads Act which cracked down on drunk drivers.

►►►

Finding Solutions as Wake County Commissioner

Jack was elected Wake County Commissioner in 1990. During his four years as Commissioner, he worked on:

• Improving funding for Wake County Public Schools, including raising teacher salaries and passing a bond referendum of $200 million to build schools.

• Establishing Wake County's SmartStart early childhood program.

• Funding for the Interlocal Agreement to fund economic development projects like the Centennial Center, the Civic Center, Five County Stadium, and Exploris (now Marbles).

• Passing bond referenda for parks, libraries, and Wake Technical Institute.

• Increasing funding for Wake County's Human Services programs.

• Increasing funding for the Wake County Sheriff's Department.

• Establishing of a paramedic program for Wake EMS and rescue squad vehicles.

• Defending the Falls Lake watershed to protect the lake that supplies drinking water to all Raleigh and much of Wake. The News & Observer praised Jack for being one of the few "consistent watershed defenders."

In 1992, because of his consensus-building style, Jack's fellow Commissioners elected him Vice-Chair. The News & Observer described Jack Nichols as a catalyst who polled commissioners by telephone, found compromises that others could support, and worked out deals before and during meetings. Fellow Commissioner Abe Jones had this to say about Jack:

He's a high-octane kind of a guy. He has enough creativity to set forth a workable consensus and make it fly.

The News & Observer, December 3, 1993

"I loved working in county government" recalls Jack. "That's where I saw the possibilities of working together to make our city and county even better. But I realized that our schools and local governments needed help. That's when I became interested in running for the legislature."

Getting Things Done in State Government

Jack Nichols developed a broad range of experience during seven years working in the North Carolina's state government He served as the Special Assistant for Legal Affairs for Jane Smith Patterson, the Secretary of the Department of Administration, and as an Administrative Procedures Officer (which later became Legal Counsel) to Dr. Sarah T. Morrow, Secretary of the Department of Human Resources.

While serving as Deputy Legislative Liaison to Governor Hunt, he was one of the principal lobbyists for the Safe Roads Act, Governor Hunt's signature program to halt driving under the influence (DUI). In presenting Jack with a framed copy of the ratified bill, Governor Hunt said, "Without your help, this bill would not have become law."

Experience in Law

Jack is honored to have been named one of the Best Lawyers in America in North Carolina in the area of Administrative Law and also as a Super Lawyer in 2006 & 2007 in North Carolina by Employment Law, 2005 & 2006. He's also received an A-V Rating as an attorney from Martindale-Hubbell.

Jack Nichols has been a leader in the N.C. Bar Association since 1985, serving on Administrative Law Council of N.C. Bar Association, where he's served as Director, Vice-Chair, and Chair. He's also a been a member of N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers and is active in the Employment Section and has presented a number Continuing Legal Education programs on employment law.

He has been a member of the Wake County Bar Association and served on its Board of Directors and was appointed by Judge Stephens to chair the initial committee for arranging the swearing in ceremony for young lawyers.

Jack has been a member of the N.C. State Bar since 1977. He's been admitted to practice law in the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of U.S. District Courts in North Carolina; the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals; and the United State Supreme Court.

Jack is currently a shareholder and attorney with the Allen and Pinnix, P.A., a firm he's been with for more than twelve years. Before that, he was an attorney and partner other local firms, including Crisp, Davis, Page, Currin, & Nichols and Nichols & Sigmon, P.A.

Experience through Education

Jack earned his Masters Degree in Public Policy from Duke University. His law degree is from Wake Forest University and his undergraduate degree in political science is from Davidson College.

Sharing Experience through Publications

Jack Nichols has written dozens of articles on ethics, non-profits, daycare, administrative law, and environmental issues, including:

• Constitutional & Ethical Issues for the Administrative Lawyer, Administrative Law Section CLE 2007

• Ethics for the Administrative Lawyer, N.C. Bar Association, Administrative Law CLE Program, 2007

• Overview of the N.C.  Non Profit Corporation Act, Association Roundtable CLE, 2002

• Day Care Legal Issues, "Daisies Bloom Where They Find Room,"; N.C. Bar Association CLE, 1999

• Implementing Environmental Standards Through Local Land Use Planning, Masters Thesis, Duke University, 1977