Biography

Nik is a seasoned litigator, regulatory advocate and trusted legal adviser with more than 20 years of experience in financial services, cannabis, commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

He represents investment banks, broker-dealers, hedge funds, insurers, cannabis businesses and small companies across a range of complex disputes and regulatory matters in state and federal court and before arbitration tribunals including FINRA, the CFTC, the NFLPA and the MLBPA.

A dedicated problem solver, Nik is known for his results-oriented, client-first approach. He focuses on identifying the desired outcome and working backward to find the most expedient path to resolution. He guards the best interests of his clients tenaciously, even if that means delivering advice they may not want to hear.

Whether navigating a high-stakes regulatory inquiry, resolving a multifaceted commercial dispute or guiding a client through a complex transaction, Nik brings a practical, hands-on perspective to every engagement.

Financial Services
In his financial services practice, Nik represents investment banks, broker-dealers, hedge funds and insurers in litigation, arbitration and regulatory proceedings. He handles regulatory inquiries and responses before FINRA and the CFTC on a multitude of issues, and he has successfully defended numerous FINRA arbitrations. Nik also advises clients on the ever-changing regulatory landscape governing predictive markets, an emerging area regulated by the CFTC.

Cannabis Law
Nik counsels cannabis and hemp industry businesses and ancillary service providers on licensing, regulatory compliance, litigation, capital raising and deal structure. He assists clients in clearing the complex regulatory hurdles that can impede mergers, acquisitions and capital raises, and he advises on buy-side and sell-side transactions with a particular focus on the regulatory overlay that governs them. Nik is particularly well versed in the legal framework that governs New Jersey and New York's growing cannabis industry. Nik also is on the frontlines of the changing federal regulation having appeared at the DEA’s cannabis rescheduling hearing.

Commercial Litigation
Nik has broad experience in commercial litigation. He represents closely held businesses, transportation and trucking companies, creditors and contractors in the state and federal courts. His experience spans breach of contract and enforcement of agreements, partnership and joint venture disputes, business torts, breach of fiduciary duty allegations and shareholder issues.

Financial Restructuring & Bankruptcy
Nik regularly appears in bankruptcy proceedings on behalf of creditors and other parties, with a particular focus on adversary proceedings and contested matters that call on his commercial litigation experience.

Sports Law
Nik handles disputes arising under the arbitration frameworks of major professional sports leagues, including the NFLPA and the MLBPA. He represents contract advisors, registered agents and their agencies in disputes governed by each league's designated dispute-resolution rules.

Outside General Counsel
Nik serves some of his clients in the role of outside general counsel, resolving day-to-day problems as they arise and providing practical advice on governance, operations and deal-making. Clients rely on him to anticipate risk, manage complexity and provide strategic guidance that aligns with long-term goals.

He helps companies without an in-house legal team to navigate a complex legal system, and he assembles teams of subject-matter experts as necessary to address specialized needs including formation and structuring, private equity and hedge fund transactions, complex securities transactions and the sale of restricted securities under Rule 144.

Nik is a seasoned litigator, regulatory advocate and trusted legal adviser with more than 20 years of experience in financial services, cannabis, commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

He represents investment banks, broker-dealers, hedge funds, insurers, cannabis businesses and small companies across a range of complex disputes and regulatory matters in state and federal court and before arbitration tribunals including FINRA, the CFTC, the NFLPA and the MLBPA.

A dedicated problem solver, Nik is known for his results-oriented, client-first approach. He focuses on identifying the desired outcome and working backward to find the most expedient path to resolution. He guards the best interests of his clients tenaciously, even if that means delivering advice they may not want to hear.

Whether navigating a high-stakes regulatory inquiry, resolving a multifaceted commercial dispute or guiding a client through a complex transaction, Nik brings a practical, hands-on perspective to every engagement.

Financial Services
In his financial services practice, Nik represents investment banks, broker-dealers, hedge funds and insurers in litigation, arbitration and regulatory proceedings. He handles regulatory inquiries and responses before FINRA and the CFTC on a multitude of issues, and he has successfully defended numerous FINRA arbitrations. Nik also advises clients on the ever-changing regulatory landscape governing predictive markets, an emerging area regulated by the CFTC.

Cannabis Law
Nik counsels cannabis and hemp industry businesses and ancillary service providers on licensing, regulatory compliance, litigation, capital raising and deal structure. He assists clients in clearing the complex regulatory hurdles that can impede mergers, acquisitions and capital raises, and he advises on buy-side and sell-side transactions with a particular focus on the regulatory overlay that governs them. Nik is particularly well versed in the legal framework that governs New Jersey and New York's growing cannabis industry. Nik also is on the frontlines of the changing federal regulation having appeared at the DEA’s cannabis rescheduling hearing.

Commercial Litigation
Nik has broad experience in commercial litigation. He represents closely held businesses, transportation and trucking companies, creditors and contractors in the state and federal courts. His experience spans breach of contract and enforcement of agreements, partnership and joint venture disputes, business torts, breach of fiduciary duty allegations and shareholder issues.

Financial Restructuring & Bankruptcy
Nik regularly appears in bankruptcy proceedings on behalf of creditors and other parties, with a particular focus on adversary proceedings and contested matters that call on his commercial litigation experience.

Sports Law
Nik handles disputes arising under the arbitration frameworks of major professional sports leagues, including the NFLPA and the MLBPA. He represents contract advisors, registered agents and their agencies in disputes governed by each league's designated dispute-resolution rules.

Outside General Counsel
Nik serves some of his clients in the role of outside general counsel, resolving day-to-day problems as they arise and providing practical advice on governance, operations and deal-making. Clients rely on him to anticipate risk, manage complexity and provide strategic guidance that aligns with long-term goals.

He helps companies without an in-house legal team to navigate a complex legal system, and he assembles teams of subject-matter experts as necessary to address specialized needs including formation and structuring, private equity and hedge fund transactions, complex securities transactions and the sale of restricted securities under Rule 144.

Representative Matters

  • Representation of a broker-dealer in a FINRA arbitration where the claimant alleged that the respondent client improperly closed out its margin position. The panel dismissed all claims in their entirety.*
  • Successfully obtained restraints against majority shareholder based upon minority shareholder oppression on behalf of an investor in a hemp beverage company.*
  • Representation of a creditor and party to a debtor’s bankruptcy proceeding in Florida in which the debtor breached a settlement agreement. At trial, Nik successfully argued that the assets were shielded essentially through fraud and the judge agreed, finding that the settlement was not in the best interest of the creditors and that there was an indicia of fraud. This led to the client receiving a much larger settlement.*
  • Representation of a corporate client in a case involving internet defamation. Nik successfully argued that New Jersey had jurisdiction over California residents who defamed the client via the internet. This matter was favorably resolved for the client with permanent restraints against the defendants.*
  • Successfully argued an order to show cause against a company that was breaching its contractual obligations to issue stock to a client.*

* Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

  • Representation of a broker-dealer in a FINRA arbitration where the claimant alleged that the respondent client improperly closed out its margin position. The panel dismissed all claims in their entirety.*
  • Successfully obtained restraints against majority shareholder based upon minority shareholder oppression on behalf of an investor in a hemp beverage company.*
  • Representation of a creditor and party to a debtor’s bankruptcy proceeding in Florida in which the debtor breached a settlement agreement. At trial, Nik successfully argued that the assets were shielded essentially through fraud and the judge agreed, finding that the settlement was not in the best interest of the creditors and that there was an indicia of fraud. This led to the client receiving a much larger settlement.*
  • Representation of a corporate client in a case involving internet defamation. Nik successfully argued that New Jersey had jurisdiction over California residents who defamed the client via the internet. This matter was favorably resolved for the client with permanent restraints against the defendants.*
  • Successfully argued an order to show cause against a company that was breaching its contractual obligations to issue stock to a client.*

* Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Before Fox Rothschild

Prior to joining us, Nik practiced at a national law firm where he was a principal, a member of the executive committee and practice area leader for its cannabis practice group.

Bar Admissions

  • New Jersey
  • New York

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York

Education

  • Seton Hall University School of Law (J.D., 2003)
  • University of Delaware (B.A., 1999)

Memberships

  • New Jersey State Bar Association
    • Cannabis Law Committee
  • Morris County Bar Association

Honors & Awards

  • Selected to the "Super Lawyers - Rising Stars" list in New Jersey (2009-2017)
    This award is conferred by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
  • Selected to the "Super Lawyers" list for Securities Litigation in New Jersey (2026)
    This award is conferred by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.