Nathan M. Nickolaus
Nathan Nickolaus practices in the areas of general municipal law, economic development, employment matters, environmental law, and general municipal issues. Nathan joined Lauber Municipal Law in 2018 and represents our firm as the Jefferson City Practice Area Leader. Prior to joining the firm, Nathan worked for a municipal law firm in the St. Louis area and served as General Counsel to the Missouri Department of Economic Development where he advised the state on a broad range of economic development incentive programs and other community development programs. Nathan has also served as the City Counselor, City Prosecutor, and City Administrator for Jefferson City, Missouri, and as City Attorney for numerous municipalities throughout Missouri.
Education
- University of Missouri—Columbia, J.D., 1988
- Indiana State University, M.P.A., 2016
- Westminster College, B.A., 1985
Bar Admissions
Missouri, 1988
Honors/Recognition
- Designated an International Municipal Lawyers Association Local Government Fellow, 2021
- America’s Most Honored Lawyers, Top 5%
- Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the Ferguson Commission, 2015
- Recipient of the Lou Czech Award, Missouri Municipal Attorneys Association, 2012
- Missouri Arts Council, 2023-
- Super Lawyers 2022-present
- America’s Best Lawyer (Government Contracts and Municipal Law) 2022-present
- Amicus Service Award, 2021 International Municipal Lawyers Association
- Avvo Rating 4.8
Relevant Legal Experience
- City Attorney for the following multiple Missouri cities
- Appointed City Counselor for the City of Jefferson City (2003 -2012)
- Appointed City Administrator for the City of Jefferson City (2011 – 2013)
- Appointed by the Governor as General Counsel for the Missouri Department of Economic Development (2013 – 2017)
- Former attorney for the cities/villages of Holts Summit (1995 – 1998), Chamois (1998 – 2001), St. Thomas (1991 – 2000), Webster Groves (2017-2018), Centertown, and Knob Noster
- Appointed Special Prosecutor, County of Cole (1992-1995, 1998, 2004)
- Certified ICS through ICS 400, Advanced Incident Command System (ICS) for Command and General Staff – Complex Incidents
- Legal Advisor for negotiations that resulted in the largest job creation project in the history of Missouri.
- Won a first in the nation settlement of over $3 million from Cingular Wireless over cell phone taxation and increasing city tax receipts by over $12 Million during the next six years
- Author of The Sunshine Law, MoBar, 3rd Edition 2019 (81 pages). The widely used handbook for open meetings and records in Missouri
- Extensive knowledge of municipal utility operations and collections, including suits involving sewer backups and disputes with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources
- Broad knowledge of state economic development incentives and community development tools such as CDBG and Missouri Works, as well as local economic development tools such as Redevelopment Plans, Community Improvement Districts, Transportation Development Districts, and Chapter 100 plans
- Extensive knowledge of government pension systems including having served as General Counsel to the Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System (LAGERS), Missouri Public School Retirement System (PSRS), and local fire pension system
- Decades of experience in code enforcement, nuisance abatement and dangerous or dilapidated buildings
- Experienced in ordinance and code drafting, including drafting three complete codes
Professional Affiliations
- The Missouri Bar
- Missouri Municipal League
- Missouri Municipal Attorneys Association (President, 2007)
- Missouri Bar Local Government Committee (Chairman, 2005-2007, 2022-2025)
- International Municipal Attorneys Association
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