Walter Nichols

Lead the commercial contracts business and manage client relationships, working closely with legal and deal teams to deliver fast, high-volume support on NDAs, engagement letters, event agreements, vendor agreements, and commercial contracts. Partner with CTO to build VectorOS, our AI-powered workflow tool, to meet the needs of private equity firms, asset managers, and companies in order to strategically combine legal precision and operational efficiency.

Partner, Commercial Contracts at Vector Legal, P.C. (2026-01 – Present)

Lead the commercial contracts business and manage client relationships, working closely with legal and deal teams to deliver fast, high-volume support on NDAs, engagement letters, event agreements, vendor agreements, and commercial contracts. Partner with CTO to build VectorOS, our AI-powered workflow tool, to meet the needs of private equity firms, asset managers, and companies in order to strategically combine legal precision and operational efficiency.

Managing Director, Contracts at Avantia, LLC (2025-01 – 2026-12)

Lead the global contracts business, working closely with legal and deal teams to deliver fast, high-volume support on NDAs, engagement letters, event agreements, vendor agreements, and commercial contracts. Oversee our client relationships globally and guide the evolution of Ava, Avantia's AI-powered workflow tool, to meet the needs of private equity firms, asset managers, and law firms in order to strategically combine legal precision and operational efficiency.

Managing Partner at Nichols Legal, LLC (2013-01 – Present)

Act as outside counsel for multiple corporations and private equity firms for contract negotiations, mergers and acquisitions, and the analysis and improvement of current legal and business operations to create efficiency and encourage clients' growth.

• Draft and negotiate complex commercial agreements, SaaS/PaaS and software license agreements, purchase and vendor agreements, master service level agreements, non-disclosure agreements, joinders, non-reliance letters, and all contractual documentation required to support sales, procurement, marketing, and product initiatives.
• Develop and implement appropriate contracting processes, contract templates, and sales ops practices to assist clients.
• Advise executive and senior management teams regarding legal, compliance, business, and general employment issues.
• Serve as a business partner and outside general counsel to drive organizational growth and ensure regulatory compliance to support laws, contracts, and strategic plans.

Senior Counsel, Transactions at TwentyEighty, Inc. (2014-01 – 2016-12)

Built and led transactions group to draft and negotiate all transactions and contracts for a portfolio of ten global workforce performance and training companies.

• Streamlined and implemented contracting processes and templates to save time, improve consistency and quality, and decrease headcount and expenses.
• Successfully led strategic company-wide legal, finance, operations, and IT projects from inception through completion.
• Drafted and negotiated company contracts, complex commercial agreements, software license agreements, purchase and vendor agreements, master service-level agreements, and contractual documentation required to support sales procurement marketing and product initiatives.
• Handled disputes and litigation, enforced intellectual property rights, and managed outside counsel to support corporate development with mergers, acquisitions, and integrations.

Counsel at CSG Systems International, Inc. (2010-01 – 2014-12)

Acted as lead attorney for six business units totaling $175M total annual revenue by integrating acquisitions, streamlining processes, liquidating non-core businesses, and addressing HR/environmental matters associated with closure of businesses to limit liability and protect trade secrets.

• Developed and implemented strategies to streamline sales, proposals, and contracting procedures through process changes and automation to create responsible efficiencies.
• Created and delivered training programs for sales representatives and new employees.
• Guided business through Safe Harbor Certification process to setup offshore arrangements and manage complex data security issues.
• Drafted and negotiated multiple customer contracts, amendments, and agreements to ensure appropriate risk allocation and profitability.

Contracts, Compliance, and Sales Operations Manager at CSG Systems International, Inc. (2009-01 – 2010-12)

Collaborated with cross functional departments to assist with projects. Integrated recently acquired company through collaboratively implementing sales and contracting process improvements. Assisted in the development and implementation of a company-wide compliance program.

Law Clerk at Burns, Figa & Will, P.C. (2006-01 – 2009-12)

Law Clerk at Avaya, Inc. (2006-01 – 2006-12)

Legal Project Assistant at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP (2004-01 – 2005-12)

Paralegal at Bayer, Carey, & McGee, P.C. (2003-01 – 2003-12)

Intern / Paralegal at Berger, James & Gammage, P.C. (2002-01 – 2004-12)

Intern at St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office (2002-01 – 2002-12)

Juris Doctor – University of Denver Sturm College of Law

Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing – International Business – University of Notre Dame