Nichols was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson on June 16, 1964, to a seat on the United States Customs Court vacated by Judge Irvin C. Mollison. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 15, 1964, and received his commission on September 15, 1964. His service terminated on November 30, 1966, due to his elevation to the Court of Claims.[1]
Nichols was nominated by President Johnson on October 6, 1966, to the United States Court of Claims, to a new seat authorized by 80 Stat. 139. He was confirmed by the Senate on October 21, 1966, and received his commission on November 3, 1966. He was reassigned by operation of law to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on October 1, 1982, to a new seat authorized by 96 Stat. 25. He assumed senior status on October 1, 1983. His service terminated on Friday, January 26, 1990, due to his death from heart attack at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C.[1][2]