Les Nicholson
Senior Counsel

Legal

Mr. Nicholson is a member of the firm's Litigation, Real Estate, Government Contracts and Infrastructure Practice Groups.

Shaw Pittman Potts and Trowbridge- Partner (1968 - 1996) - Chair of Litigation and Bankruptcy Departments with a national trial and appellate practice. Personally handled trials in 37 states.

Extensive experience resolving troubled commercial real estate projects through litigation and consensual restructuring, defending large class actions and handling a broad array of other civil cases in federal and state courts as well as a significant number of arbitrations and major bankruptcy matters. Examples:

• In Foltz et al v. US. News & World Report, Inc., et al, 663 F. Supp 1494(D.D.C. ), affd 865 F.2nd 364 (D.C. Cir. ) served as defendants' lead trial counsel in defeating a $120 million class action brought by former employee/shareholders; and
• In Re Columbia Gas Systems Inc., 997 F.2nd 1039( 3rd Cir. ) served as lead trial counsel for 97 local gas companies in obtaining recovery of $143 million paid by the local gas companies in advance on contracts rejected by Columbia. The $143 million was paid ahead and at the expense of the secured creditors, such as Exxon, Mobile and Shell.

Substantial experience representing management in all aspects of labor relations, collective bargaining, elections and grievances, involving the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Hotel and Restaurant Employees, United Paper Workers and International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Outside counsel to the American Institute of Architects in connection with the revision of the AlA standard form contracts over a four year period.

Government

U.S. General Services Administration - General Counsel (2008- 2009)

The General Services Administration is responsible for the real estate owned, leased, constructed and occupied by the federal government as well as the acquisition of most of the goods and services utilized by government employees in their day to day activities. GSA has 11 regional offices and a central office in Washington, DC with approximately 13,000 employees. GSA is the largest real estate business in the United States with responsibility for over 370 million square feet occupied by 1.1 million federal employees. GSA also purchases goods and products costing over $30 billion from thousands of companies.

The General Counsel is responsible for all legal aspects of GSA's operations, serves as its Chief Ethics Officer and supervises a staff of 150 lawyers and support personnel.

Corporate

Kenwood Capital, LLC -President (2002- 2008)

Kenwood Capital is a private investment fund created by former clients. Also served as a member of the Board of Directors of several of the technology companies in which the fund invested.

Chevy Chase Bank, now Capital One Bank- Executive Vice-President and General Counsel (1996- 2002)

Responsible for all legal aspects of the bank's operations as well as the operational control of its internal auditing, technology security and governmental relationships at the federal and state level.

ASB Capital Management, Inc. - General Counsel and Member of the Board of Directors (1998- 2002)

ASB Capital is a registered investment adviser for union pension funds. Served as Chair of its Trust Committee while recruiting new senior management.

Honorary Memberships

American College of Real Estate Lawyers.

American College of Construction Lawyers - former National Governor.

Civic/Personal Activities

Ethics Judge for the National Capital Business Ethics Awards- 2005 to present.

President of Father's Club of the Landon School for Boys.

President of Kenwood Citizens Association.

Board-of-Governors of the Chevy Chase Club.

Captain and then President (2003-2008) of U.S. International Tennis Club www.USICTennis.organd www.ICTennis.net. Played on USIC teams since 1985 against countries such as Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Uruguay and, most recently, France in 2010 and Great Britain in 2011.

Elected to National Capital Tennis Hall of Fame.

Education

Vanderbilt University School of Law, Juris Doctor

Order of the Coif; Note Editor, Vanderbilt Law Review; Vanderbilt University Varsity Tennis Coach.

Louisiana State University, Bachelor of Arts

Member of Omicron Delta Kappa, national men's honorary society; Vice­ President of LSU student body; Varsity Tennis Team (No. 1 player for 4 years; Captain during junior and senior years); LSU's nominee for a Rhodes scholarship.