Jim Nicholson

Mr. Nicholson is Senior Counsel in Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck's Washington, DC office. He is a member of the Government Relations, Health Care, and Energy & Environment groups and his practice includes public policy, health care, state and federal regulatory law, international relations, real estate, oil & gas, and alternative energy.

Mr. Nicholson served most recently as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, responsible for the second largest department of government with more than 250,000 employees and a budget of $77 billion. Prior to his tenure at the VA, he served as US Ambassador to the Holy See. Pope John Paul II knighted him for his leadership on human rights issues. He was the Chairman of the Federal Interagency Council on Homelessness. Mr. Nicholson was a director of New Community Development Corporation and Commissioner of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS), both Presidential appointments.

Mr. Nicholson has led an active political life, which includes serving as Chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1997-2001. He has worked on a number of political campaigns at every level, from county commissioner to US President. As Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Mr. Nicholson set records for fundraising, and in 2000 presided over winning the Presidency and majorities in the US Senate, the US House, state houses and state legislatures.

In 1978, he established Nicholson Enterprises, Inc., a nationally recognized land development and home building company. Mr. Nicholson served as a commissioner on the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission. He was a director of St. Mary Land and Exploration Company, a director of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado, Inc., and Chairman of the Board of the Volunteers of America of Colorado. He serves as director of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc.; The Daniels Fund; Federated Funds; and is a fellow of the US Chamber of Commerce.

Ambassadorial Post(s)

Holy See, (2001 - 2005)

Areas of Expertise