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Nicholas "Nick" Earles, Maritime Attorney in Houston, Texas

Over 23 years of legal practice

Practicing maritime in Houston since 2003.

23+
Years practicing
1
Bar admission

Practices in

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Nicholas "Nick" Earles is an attorney based in Houston, TEXAS. The practice focuses on Maritime. Nicholas has over 23 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Schouest, Bamdas, Soshea & BenMaier PLLC.

Based in
Houston, TEXAS
Experience
over 23 years
Known for
Maritime
  • Handles Maritime matters from Houston, TEXAS.
  • Over 23 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
  • Recognized with Best Lawyers in America — Admiralty and Maritime Law (2026).

About Nicholas "Nick" Earles: Nicholas "Nick" Earles is an attorney based in Houston, TEXAS. The practice focuses on Maritime. Nicholas has over 23 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Schouest, Bamdas, Soshea & BenMaier PLLC.

Areas of practice

Legal matters Nicholas takes on

Nicholas concentrates on maritime. Each area below outlines the kind of case Nicholas handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Maritime cases in Houston, Texas

Nicholas takes maritime matters in Houston, Texas. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Nicholas agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet Nicholas "Nick" Earles — maritime lawyer in Houston

Nicholas "Nick" Earles is an attorney based in Houston, TEXAS. The practice focuses on Maritime. Nicholas has over 23 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Schouest, Bamdas, Soshea & BenMaier PLLC.

Nicholas Earles is a partner in SBSB’s Houston office and has been a knowledgeable resource in the maritime space for more than 20 years. While his practice focuses in admiralty, his experience also extends to general and premises liability, workers’ compensation, subrogation and transportation. Additionally, he has navigated difficult cases for energy companies and overseas defense contractors covered by the Defense Base Act.

A member of SBSB’s original roster in February 2015, Mr. Earles has lent his expertise in maritime and beyond to the firm as its presence has grown. He has represented clients in cases before administrative law judges, three-judge panels, federal appellate courts and district courts at the state and federal levels. A graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, he has dedicated himself to his craft and has received professional acclaim for his efforts, as he was named a Texas Rising Star by Thomson Reuters in 2019. As an undergrad, he was named a National Merit Scholar at the University of Houston.

Mr. Earles is admitted to the State Bar of Texas and is licensed to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He is a go-to attorney in maritime law and a diligent representative in multiple other spaces.

Working with Nicholas on a maritime matter

Nicholas Earles is a partner in SBSB’s Houston office and has been a knowledgeable resource in the maritime space for more than 20 years. While his practice focuses in admiralty, his experience also extends to general and premises liability, workers’ compensation, subrogation and transportation. Additionally, he has navigated difficult cases for energy companies and overseas defense contractors…

Who Nicholas represents

Nicholas reviews new inquiries case-by-case for maritime matters in Houston and the surrounding Texas area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

  • The University of Texas

    J.D. · 2004

  • University of Houston

    B.A. · 2001

Jurisdictions

Nicholas's state bar admissions

  • Texas, State Bar of

    2003 · ACTIVE

Nicholas studied at J.D. in The University of Texas and B.A. in University of Houston.

Law school and academic background

Nicholas completed J.D. in The University of Texas and B.A. in University of Houston. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Nicholas runs in Texas is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Recognition and thought leadership

Nicholas has received 3 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • Best Lawyers in America — Admiralty and Maritime Law

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Awards:

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Texas Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters, 2018-2019

    2026

Legal awards and honors

Best Lawyers in America — Admiralty and Maritime Law (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Texas Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters, 2018-2019 (2026).

Locations

Nicholas "Nick" Earles's office in Houston

Nicholas's primary office is at 1001 Mckinney Street, Suite 1400, Houston, Texas, 77002. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Schouest, Bamdas, Soshea & BenMaier PLLC

1001 Mckinney Street, Suite 1400

Houston, Texas 77002

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Nicholas "Nick" Earles

Nicholas has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

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Hiring guide

How to hire Nicholas "Nick" Earles — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new maritime attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Nicholas usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Nicholas charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Nicholas's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Nicholas will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a maritime attorney in Houston, Texas

A short list to run through before you commit: How many maritime matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Nicholas

Nicholas discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in maritime practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every maritime matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Nicholas confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Nicholas's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many maritime practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Nicholas "Nick" Earles

  • How much does it cost to hire Nicholas for a maritime case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Nicholas walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Nicholas offer a free consultation?

    Nicholas charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Nicholas's office. Some maritime attorneys offer free consults — check Nicholas's current terms during booking.

  • How long do maritime cases in Texas typically take?

    Simple maritime matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Nicholas gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Nicholas take my case if I'm outside Houston?

    Nicholas is licensed in Texas. Matters governed by Texas law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Nicholas will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Nicholas?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Nicholas will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Nicholas accepting new maritime clients right now?

    Nicholas's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Maritime attorneys serving Houston, Dallas and Austin in Texas

Nicholas handles maritime matters throughout Texas. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified maritime attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Nicholas's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these maritime attorneys in Houston handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.