NICHOLAS BUTTO
Direct Tel: +1 332 296 8321
Email: nbutto@brithem.com
Nicholas Butto focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, securities litigation, and government enforcement proceedings, guiding clients through every stage of litigation and arbitration—from e-discovery and motion practice to witness preparation and trial testimony. His work has included leading discovery efforts, preparing witnesses to testify before judges and juries, and negotiating resolutions in high-stakes disputes. He also counsels clients through government and internal investigations before the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other federal agencies.
Nick’s litigation work extends into an active pro bono practice spanning immigration, prison release, and family separation cases, regularly partnering with organizations including Sanctuary for Families, Womankind, and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). He has represented survivors of gender-based violence in securing protective orders against their abusers and has helped individuals fleeing similar violence abroad secure asylum in the United States. In one notable pro bono matter, Nick led the preparation of plaintiffs and expert witnesses for trial, helping to secure a $26 million jury verdict.
Prior to joining Brithem, Nick was a litigation associate at Mintz and Paul Weiss, where he handled a broad range of litigation and arbitration matters and counseled clients through government and regulatory enforcement proceedings. During law school, Nick served as a legal intern with the Urban Justice Center’s Sex Workers Project in New York. He currently serves on the Executive Leadership Council of PENCIL, Inc., a New York City-based nonprofit that connects public school students with young professionals.
Nick received his J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center, where he was executive editor of the Georgetown Law Journal. He also served as president of the university’s Pro Bono Advisory Board and participated in the Domestic Violence Clinic.
Credentials
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude
Boston College, B.A., B.S., cum laude
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo, Associate
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, Associate
New York Bar, Admitted
U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, Admitted
Select Recognition
Sanctuary for Families, Above & Beyond Award
Impact Matters
Secured a $26 million verdict for plaintiffs targeted by white supremacist violence.
Nick was part of a pro bono trial team representing nine plaintiffs in a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia against the organizers of the “Unite the Right” white supremacist rally, taking a lead role in preparing witnesses for testimony and helping to secure a $26 million jury verdict on the plaintiffs’ behalf.
Defended a global energy company through years of toxic tort litigation and a high-profile state trial.
Nick defended ExxonMobil in toxic tort litigations across multiple jurisdictions, including a trial against the New York Attorney General’s office.
Advocated for asylum seekers’ right to fair, fully informed hearings.
Nick drafted an amicus brief on behalf of the ACLU for a matter before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, arguing that the government consistently fails to disclose material information contained in asylum seekers’ files.
Overall Experience
Nick’s representative matters include:
- Represented survivors of domestic violence in obtaining protective orders against their abusers, litigating several such matters to successful resolutions in court.
- Secured asylum for multiple families who fled gender-based violence in their home countries.
- As part of a pro bono trial team, represented nine plaintiffs in their lawsuit in the Western District of Virginia against the organizers of a white supremacist rally, taking a lead role in witness preparation and helping to secure a $26 million jury verdict.
- Represented an executive in a multimillion-dollar dispute with his former employer following his departure from the company, leading mediation efforts that resulted in a favorable settlement.
- Negotiated a multimillion-dollar settlement in a health law matter through mediation.
- Defended ExxonMobil in toxic tort litigation across multiple jurisdictions, including a trial against the New York Attorney General’s office.
- Defended Peter Pan Bus Lines in a class action lawsuit, helping secure a successful motion for judgment on the pleadings in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
- Drafted successful motions to dismiss on behalf of corporate clients in four separate matters, spanning health law, product liability, employment law, and breach-of-contract disputes.
- Represented Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in ongoing litigation against JPMorgan Chase arising from the bank’s alleged role in Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking operation.
- Represented two individuals under SEC and DOJ investigation for alleged misuse of company funds, securing settlements well below the government’s initial exposure estimates.
- Drafted an amicus brief on behalf of the ACLU in a case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, arguing the government failed to disclose material information in asylum seekers’ files.