People
Nicholas Howell is a first-chair trial lawyer who defends companies in high-stakes environmental and toxic tort litigation across the country. He has tried multiple cases to verdict in federal and state courts and in administrative proceedings, securing defense wins in personal injury, toxic exposure, and environmental permitting disputes. Nicholas defends clients in class actions, mass torts, and individual personal injury claims arising from alleged exposure to hazardous substances and environmental contaminants. He also represents industrial clients in actions brought by state attorneys general, including statewide claims for natural resource damages tied to alleged contamination of surface water, groundwater, soil, and air. In addition to litigation, he guides companies through incident response and internal investigations involving OSHA, worker safety, and whistleblower allegations.
Widely recognized for his expertise, Nicholas is ranked by Chambers USA as an “Up and Coming” lawyer in environmental law and has been named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Environmental Law. He is a frequent author and speaker on trial strategy, toxic tort trends, and emerging contaminants, and has held multiple leadership roles within the State Bar of Georgia’s Environmental Law Section, serving as an officer for five years and as President in 2023.
Before joining King & Spalding, Nicholas served as a law clerk to the Honorable J. Randal Hall of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia. He also worked as an Associate at a large international law firm in Atlanta, Georgia, focusing on environmental, toxic tort litigation.
J.D., University of Georgia School of Law, cum laude
B.A., Furman University, cum laude
Georgia
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
Law Clerk, Honorable J. Randal Hall, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
Atlanta Children's Shelter Young Professionals Advisory Committee, Former Board Member
Conservative Policy Leadership Institute, Class of 2020
Environmental Law Section, State Bar of Georgia, Former Chair
State Bar of Georgia
State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division Leadership Academy, Class of 2017
University of Georgia School of Law Young Alumni Committee, Former President
August 13, 2025
Paul Mezzina, Doug Henderson, Nicholas Howell and Nicholas Mecsas-Faxon represent Terumo before the Colorado Court of Appeals
Obtained full defense verdict as lead trial counsel in six-week long jury trial brought by residents near a medical device manufacturing and sterilization facility alleging development of various diseases due to exposure to ethylene oxide emissions
Lead trial counsel in month-long jury trial, successfully resolving all claims brought by residents near manufacturing facility
Successfully defeated class certification and obtained complete dismissal of all claims brought on behalf of class of residents near medical manufacturing and sterilization facility
See more
August 13, 2025
Paul Mezzina, Doug Henderson, Nicholas Howell and Nicholas Mecsas-Faxon represent Terumo before the Colorado Court of Appeals
Obtained full defense verdict as lead trial counsel in six-week long jury trial brought by residents near a medical device manufacturing and sterilization facility alleging development of various diseases due to exposure to ethylene oxide emissions
Lead trial counsel in month-long jury trial, successfully resolving all claims brought by residents near manufacturing facility
Successfully defeated class certification and obtained complete dismissal of all claims brought on behalf of class of residents near medical manufacturing and sterilization facility
See more
August 13, 2025
Paul Mezzina, Doug Henderson, Nicholas Howell and Nicholas Mecsas-Faxon represent Terumo before the Colorado Court of Appeals
J.D., University of Georgia School of Law, cum laude
B.A., Furman University, cum laude
Georgia
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
Law Clerk, Honorable J. Randal Hall, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
Atlanta Children's Shelter Young Professionals Advisory Committee, Former Board Member
Conservative Policy Leadership Institute, Class of 2020
Environmental Law Section, State Bar of Georgia, Former Chair
State Bar of Georgia
State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division Leadership Academy, Class of 2017
University of Georgia School of Law Young Alumni Committee, Former President