Earlier this month, The Texas Lawbook hired Nick Peck as its new M&A and restructuring reporter, stepping into the role previously held by veteran deals newshound Claire Poole, who retired in August.
A 2022 communications graduate of Upper Iowa University (and a captain on its football team), most of Peck’s experience in the industry involves covering investments, alternative assets and funding. His most recent reporting roles came from the subscriber-only news platform at With Intelligence and VettaFi.
Originally from Ontario, California, Peck relocated to Austin when he joined The Lawbook on Dec. 9 after living in St. George, Utah. In his new role, Peck covers M&A, capital markets and restructuring, focusing on work led or handled by lawyers across Texas.
As the primary beat reporter for M&A, Peck will also profile people across the state who are driving the deals, restructurings and more, including Texas lawyers for principals and others serving in non-legal advisory roles, such as investment bankers. Additionally, he will write our weekly Corporate Deal Tracker Roundup column and cover trends across M&A, funding and restructuring.
I asked Peck how he’s settling in at The Lawbook and adjusting to Central Texas:
Journalism is a different type of career path for someone who also was an athlete in college. What drew you to it?
Honestly, unlike many athletes, being a journalist is what I’ve wanted to do my entire life. As soon as I hung up my cleats, I knew I wanted to be a reporter. It’s a dream come true for me to pursue this career. What attracted me to journalism was the opportunity to tell stories and the belief that those stories could genuinely make a difference in the world.
You’re a West Coast guy, and now you’re deep in the heart of Texas. How are you liking Austin so far and what was appealing about making the move?
I am a Californian at heart, but I have quickly fallen in love with my new home in Texas despite my short time here. I really appreciate the people, the atmosphere, and, most importantly, the food. I can’t say I’ve had a bad dining experience yet! The decision to move to Texas was appealing due to the various positive opportunities I’ve seen and heard about over the past few years. Plus, having an excellent job opportunity lined up made the choice even easier.
What was particularly attractive about The Lawbook that made you consider the move to cover M&A and restructuring?
What excited me the most about working at The Lawbook was the chance to learn from the veteran journalists and editors on the team. I knew that collaborating with this team each day would improve my skills as a writer and journalist, which is something every professional hopes for in their respective careers. Additionally, I was eager to contribute my own experience as a B2B journalist to The Lawbook, particularly to a beat that I am genuinely passionate about.
What should our subscribers know about you as a reporter?
They can expect someone who won’t be out-hustled to share their stories. My first few weeks at The Lawbook have been tremendous. I have also enjoyed connecting with our readers, and I look forward to meeting many more of them and writing about what’s happening in their space.
What’s the one thing that keeps you up at night?
The feeling that I’m not doing everything possible to excel in various aspects of my life, whether it’s in my journalism career, as a friend, as a brother, or simply as a person. I strive to be the absolute best at whatever I undertake. The fear that I am not doing enough or working hard enough to improve in the areas that matter most to me is something that I constantly think about.
What’s something that most people don’t know about you?
I really enjoy surfing. To me, there is no better feeling than being in the ocean, and being able to surf it just adds to my enjoyment. If I could live anywhere other than California or Texas and do anything besides journalism, I would live in a little shack somewhere in Hawaii, wake up every morning and surf. Once I was finished riding the waves for the day, I’d head into my little shack and write fiction novels all day, and then I’d wake up and do that over and over again.
Who inspires you?
My little sister, ever day. We both went through a lot as kids, and she inspires me with all her fantastic accomplishments. I am also a Cali kid, so three of my biggest idols growing up were NBA legend Kobe Bryant, NFL linebacker Patrick Willis, as well as rapper and gang violence peacemaker Nipsey Hussle. All three of them taught me the true definition of hard work and hustle, and through their motivation and guidance, they inspired me to get through the many hard times I’ve had in my life and accomplish a lot at such a young age. As a journalist and writer, I really look up to James Baldwin, Tom Brokaw, and Anthony Bourdain, although many people wouldn’t consider him one. The way that those three individuals told stories truly inspired me to do what I am doing now.
What hobbies do you have?
Watching the 49ers, Giants, Lakers, Sharks and the Michigan Wolverines. However, I also enjoy reading, writing, doing yoga, meditating and doing anything that involves me being outside.
Nick Peck can be reached at nick.peck@texaslawbook.net. Connect with him on LinkedIn here.