Jacks C. (“JC”) Nickens

Partner

CONTACT
Phone: 713-735-8520
Fax: 713-351-4520
Email: jnickens@schlangersilver.com
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PRACTICE AREAS
Litigation

JC joins Schlanger Silver after 42 years of trial practice. He will try any kind of dispute, large or small, before jury or judge. JC prides himself as a “problem solver.” In recent years the focus of his practice has been in the securities area, including class action complaints and customerbroker dealer disputes on both sides of the docket. He is experienced in defending individuals in disputes and investigations by government agencies, including the SEC, FDIC, CFTC, Office of Thrift Supervision and Department of Labor. He has helped management clients disengage from their employers. He is a trained mediator who welcomes opportunities to help litigants resolve their disputes outside the courtroom.

  • Mediation
  • Civil Litigation, including:
    Securities Litigation
    Class Action Complaint
    Customer/broker dealer disputes
  • Representation in governmental investigations/disputes
  • Negotiation of separation from employment

Harvard College
A.B., 1971, magna cum laude

Harvard Law
School JD, 1975, cum laude

  • State Bar of Texas
  • District of Colombia
  • 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th Circuit Courts of Appeal
  • Eastern, Western, Northern and Southern Districts of Texas
  • United States Supreme Court
  • Represent several hundred retirees in breach of contract matter against former employer
  • Settled multi-million dollar ERISA claim against the PBGC (Pension Benefit Guaranty) on behalf of US Airlines pilots
  • Tried numerous FINRA arbitrations on behalf of customers against brokerage firms
  • Represented major retailer in copyright infringement matter
  • Multi-million dollar settlement on behalf of employee group against employer
  • Successfully tried patent infringement matter on behalf of inventor
  • Multi-million judgment against the FDIC in bank failure case
  • Represented brokerage executives in securities claims brought in connection with Madoff scandal
  • Represented shareholders in class action securities claims against public company
  • Represented public company in class action securities brought by shareholders
  • Represented utility in breach of contract matter against gas supplier
  • Obtained dismissal of federal indictment for price manipulation in propane market
  • Represented major city to recover occupancy taxes
  • Represented executives in class action securities matter brought by shareholders
  • Fellow, Houston Bar Foundation
  • Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation

The Best Lawyers in America, 2008-2023
America’s Leading Lawyers for Business Litigation, Securities, Chambers USA, 2011-15
Texas Super Lawyers, 2003-2018 (by Thomson Reuters as listed in Texas Monthly)

JC and Melinda enjoy their vacation home in Alto, New Mexico where JC “putters,” reads and enjoys puzzles of all kinds. They relish visits from their granddaughter, Abby. Daughter Marie (36) is a biologist with Novartis in Cambridge, Mass, where she works with laboratory animals. Son Clay (26) is a consultant with Bain, currently living in Austin and headed for business school at the University of Chicago. Melinda is active in their HOA and as an officer in the Houston Garden Club. Both enjoy a relaxed game of bridge but do not play as partners.