Pat Nicolette graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Rutgers University and cum laude from Columbia University Law School. He practiced law in New York City until joining the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission at its inception in 1975.

He served the Commission as Deputy General Counsel and Acting General Counsel, was a charter member of the Senior Executive Service and received a Meritorious Executive Award from President George Bush in 1991.

Mr. Nicolette resides in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Susan Elliott who is also an attorney. He has a daughter, Jessica, and two step-daughters, Tara and Kimberly. The Caruso File is his first novel.