Nick enrolled in the Lewis & Clark Law School evening program in 1983 while serving as the executive director of the Clackamas County Housing Authority. Upon graduation he began a private practice in Oregon City. His expertise was real estate oriented: transactions. land use, finance, with an emphasis on affordable housing. He also served as a Clackamas County hearings officer during this time. In 1999 he founded an FHA multi-family mortgage company and provided financing for a number of apartments and assisted living facilities. Nick retired in 2010 and currently serves on the boards of two housing oriented non profits.