Nick
Primrose

Position: Special Counsel
Office: Tallahassee

Nick Primrose is special counsel in the firm’s Government Relations Practice Group. He advises clients on legal, regulatory, public policy, and economic development issues affecting the maritime, transportation, logistics, technology, and related industries.

Nick works with businesses, public agencies, and industry organizations whose success depends on effective engagement with federal, state, and local governments. He helps clients monitor legislative and regulatory developments, assess risk, engage decision-makers, and pursue growth opportunities in heavily regulated industries, including maritime, transportation, logistics, technology, infrastructure, and economic development.

Nick’s practice is shaped by a practical understanding of how policy, regulatory, and political decisions are made. He helps clients identify emerging issues, develop strategies that can adapt through changes in administration, and engage lawmakers, agencies, and senior government officials early in the process.

Before entering private practice, Nick served in the Executive Office of the Governor under two Florida governors, ultimately as deputy general counsel to each. He represented the governors in state and federal litigation; directed strategy on matters involving economic development, transportation, healthcare, and elections; and advised on judicial and executive appointments. Nick also served as general counsel of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, providing legal guidance during hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other declared emergencies.

Nick later served as the Jacksonville Port Authority’s first chief of regulatory compliance, a role in which he functioned as the port’s in-house legal counsel. In that capacity, he handled maritime, contract, business development, environmental, emergency preparedness, and insurance and risk management matters. Nick also guided federal and state government affairs work and advised port leadership on strategic planning, resiliency, and growth.

Nick also advises clients on policy and regulatory issues tied to emerging transportation, supply chain, and logistics technologies, including deploying artificial intelligence, autonomous trucking, advanced air mobility, 5G networks, and battery energy storage systems. In that work, he helps clients understand developing legal frameworks and position operations for future regulatory and legislative changes.

Nick is active in Florida’s economic development and international trade community, including through his service on the board of directors of SelectFlorida. In that capacity, he advises on efforts to strengthen Florida’s competitiveness and participates in trade missions that promote Florida businesses abroad and assist foreign companies looking to do business in the state.

Earlier in his career, Nick maintained a civil litigation practice and served as first-chair trial counsel in jury trials. He has also taught at Florida State University College of Law on executive power under the US and Florida constitutions.

Noteworthy

Jacksonville Business Journal, “40 Under 40” (2025)
News Service of Florida, “The Florida 40 Under 40” (2025)
Florida Elections Commission, Chair (2021–2023)
Florida Freight Advisory Committee, Chair (2023–2025); Vice Chair (2021–2023)
Maverick PAC, “Future40” (2022)

Publications

Presentations

Memberships

American Enterprise Institute, Leadership Network (2020)
Federalist Society for Law & Public Policy Studies (2010–present)
The Florida Bar, Admiralty Law Committee (2026–present)
The Florida Bar, Governmental & Public Policy Advocacy Committee (2018–present)
Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship (2026)
Jacksonville University Marine Science Research Institute, Advisory Board (2023–2026)
James Madison Institute, Leadership Fellow, Class Two (2015–2016)
Junior Achievement of Central Florida, Leadership Council (2016–2017)
Leadership Florida, Connect Class 11 (2021)
SelectFlorida, Board of Directors (2023–present)
St. Augustine Airport Authority, Board (2025–present)
St. Johns River State College, District Board of Trustees (2025–present)