Chris Nickelson

The Trial and Appellate Skills to Resolve Complicated Cases

I practice family law to help people navigate difficult transitions in their lives when emotions run high and sound guidance is needed regarding finances, children, and the future. With an appellate background, I specialize in managing cases involving large estates, high conflict, and individuals with personality disorders such as narcissism. I strive to help clients understand the law and what the courts can and cannot do for them and bring an expedient resolution to their cases. Because of my expertise in marital property and the division of complicated estates, my clients often include high-net-worth individuals, business owners and executives, professional athletes, and their spouses, among others. In addition, I am frequently brought in by other family lawyers to provide assistance in managing complex cases—including to help analyze and brief thorny legal issues, provide creative arguments and solutions, prepare a case for trial, and handle appellate issues.

Here’s how:

Educate clients on the law, especially as it applies to their case, so they can make informed decisions.
Listen, be patient and thoughtful, and find the right solution for each client.
Settle all that I can, ask the court to settle all that it can before trial, and try the case if settlement is not an option.
Use my appellate experience to analyze the facts of the case and build a strategy to advance the client’s interest.
Simplify what is inherently complicated and deliver a clear message to the other side and the court.

Experience and Professional Credentials

Chris is an experienced trial and appellate attorney respected throughout the State of Texas who is frequently called on to handle high-profile matters. He served as Chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas and has worked to reform and standardize custody and possession rules statewide. Chris is well known for his appellate experience and deep understanding of marital property laws. He is especially adept at dividing business ownership and ensuring value and security for the non-owning spouse.

In his practice at Goranson Bain Ausley, Chris will continue to provide trial and appellate services to family lawyers throughout the state of Texas. Chris is a frequent author and speaker at statewide family law courses, including Advanced Family Law, Marriage Dissolution, and New Frontiers in Marital Property. Dual Board Certified in Family Law and Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Chris has been recognized as a Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine 2014-present and a Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine 2007-present.

Away from the office, Chris and his partner enjoy traveling, renovating their 100-year-old home in the historic Ryan Place neighborhood in Fort Worth, and being the “fun uncles” to five nieces and nephews.

Chris is a Fort Worth divorce lawyer working out of our Fort Worth family law office location.

Services

Honors & Awards

Top Attorney, Fort Worth Magazine, 2007-present
Super Lawyer, Texas Monthly Magazine, 2014-present
Joseph W. McKnight Best Family Law CLE Article Award in 2011 and 2015
SBOT Family Law Section’s Dan R. Price Award in 2013
Rising Star, Texas Monthly Magazine 2004-2013
SBOT Franklin Jones, Jr., CLE Award in 2012

Published Works

Co-Author of The Weight of the World: Posturing the Property Case for Appeal, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, October 2022, Lake Tahoe.
Co-Author of A Deep Dive: Statutory and Common Law Reimbursement, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2022, San Antonio.
Author of Make the World Go Away: Finding the Right Appellate Tool, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2022, Fort Worth.
Author of Are You Sure You Want to File That? Summary Judgment Motions, Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, December 2021, San Antonio.
Author of Preserving Your Record, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2021, San Antonio.
Co-Author of Education and Other Related Rights, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2021.
Author of Protecting Your Record at Trial, Advanced Trial Skills for Family Lawyers Course, December 2020.
Author of I Fought the Law: Mandamus for the Trial Lawyer, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2020.
Co-Author of Entities and Marital Property Law–Interrelated Claims and Issues, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, October 2019, Savannah.
Author of Declaratory Actions, MSJ’s, and Other Weird and Effective Family Law Tools, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2019, San Antonio.
Co-Author of Stay in Your Lane: The Proper Role of Financial Experts, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2019, Galveston.
Author of Don’t Lose your Appeal at Trial, Advanced Trial Skills for Family Lawyers Course, December 2018, New Orleans.
Co-Author of Marital Agreements, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, October 2018, San Diego.
Author of Character of Debts, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2018, San Antonio.
Author of Temporary Orders During Appeal, Marriage Dissolution, April 2018, Dallas.
Co-Author of Wildlings and Other Things Beyond the Wall—The Impact of Character Beyond Dividing the Community Estate, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, October 2017, Las Vegas.
Author of Appellate Issues Affecting Your Family Law Practice, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2017, San Antonio.
Co-Author of Technology Case Law Update, Family Law & Technology, December 2016, Austin.
Author of Procedural Tricks and Traps, Marriage Dissolution, April 2016, Galveston.
Author of Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, What You’re Supposed to Write and How it Will Help You, Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, December 2015, Dallas.
Author of Who Made This Mess? The Messy Process of Enforcing the Property Division, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, October 2015, Denver.
Author of Jurisdictional Issues, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2015, San Antonio.
Author of Evidentiary Predicates, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2015, Dallas.
Co-Author of I love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change: PDF Document Management—How to Create, Save, e-File, Markup and Collaborate with Clients and Opposing Counsel from Within the Software, Family Law Technology 360, December 2014, Austin.
Author of Recovering Attorney’s Fee’s, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2014, San Antonio.
Co-Author of Post-Trial/Appeal, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2014, San Antonio.
Co-Author of Appellate Concerns Before, During, and After Trial, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2014, San Antonio.
Author of Pleadings, Motions, and Orders, Relating to Summary, Declaratory, and Default Judgments, Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, December 2013, Dallas.
Author of Post-Trial Motions, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2013, San Antonio.
Co-Author of Predicates, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2013, Houston.
Co-Author of Dealing with Foreign Jurisdictional Property Issues, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, October 2012, New Orleans.
Co-Author of Appellate Practice—From Every Angle, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2012, Houston.
Co-Author of Electronic Discovery—How to Get It, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2012, Dallas.
Author of Post-Trial Drafting Issues, Advanced Drafting Course, December 2011, Dallas.
Author of Trying a Case with Appeal in Mind, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2011, San Antonio.
Co-Author of Appellate Practice—From Every Angle, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2011, San Antonio.
Author of Running a Law Office for Fun And Profit, Soaking Up Some CLE Seminar, 2011, South Padre.
Author of Appellate CYA, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2011, Austin.
Author of The Basics: Procedural Concerns, Parent-Child Relationships Seminar, UT CLE, January 2011, Houston.
Author of Strategies for Proving Best Interest, Parent-Child Relationships Seminar, UT CLE, January 2011, Houston.
Co-Author of Using Summary Judgment Procedure in Family Law Cases, Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, December 2010, Houston.
Co-Author of Appellate Practice from Every Angle, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2010, San Antonio.
Co-Author of Proving Separate Property: An Argument for More Use of Summary Judgment Practice in Family Law Cases, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2010.
Author, Impacts at Trial: Saving Your Trial from Mistakes, 10^th Annual Family Law on the Front Lines, UT CLE, July 2010, San Antonio.
Author of Finalizing the Deal: Rule 11 Agreements, Mediated Settlement Agreements, and Why Its So Important to Get Orders Timely Signed, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2010, San Antonio.
Co-Author of Preservation of Error (Including Making and Meeting Objections), 2009 Trial of Breach of Fiduciary Duty Litigation Cases, Fredericksburg, Texas.
Author of Equitable Remedies: Getting Out of Traps, Messes, and Other Problems to which You or Your Client May Have Unintentionally Agreed, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2009.
Author of Appealing Your Family Law Case, 23^rd Annual Family Law Conference, South Texas College of Law, March 2009, Houston.
Co-Author of Professionalism, August 2008, Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio.
Author of Maintaining the Chain of Electronic Evidence and Spoliation of Electronic Evidence, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2008.
Author of Brief Writing that Appeals to Your Audience, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2008.
Co-Author of Extraordinary Writs: When Ordinary Relief Just Won’t Do, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2007, El Paso.
Co-Author of Appellate Advocacy: From the Judge’s Perspective; Advanced Family Law Course, August 2005.
Co-Author of Like Skeet and Sporting Clay: Direct and Collateral Attacks on Judgments, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2005.
Co-Author of Preservation of Error for Discovery Issues, 2005 Brown Bag Seminar for Tarrant County Bar Association, Appellate Section
Co-Author of Appellate Advocate – Substantive Court of Appeals Update, for The Appellate Advocate, 2001-2005.
Author of Relief is Just an Appeal Away: Drafting With Appeal, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2003.
Author of Puttin’ on the Writs: Mandamus, Prohibition and Habeas Corpus, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2002.

Presentations

Co-Presenter of The Weight of the World: Posturing the Property Case for Appeal, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, October 2022, Lake Tahoe.
Co-Presenter of A Deep Dive: Statutory and Common Law Reimbursement, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2022, San Antonio.
Presenter of Make the World Go Away: Finding the Right Appellate Tool, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2022, Fort Worth.
Presenter of Are You Sure You Want to File That? Summary Judgment Motions, Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, December 2021, San Antonio.
Presenter of Preserving Your Record, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2021, San Antonio.
Co-Presenter of Education and Other Related Rights, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2021.
Presenter of Protecting Your Record at Trial, Advanced Trial Skills for Family Lawyers Course, December 2020.
Presenter of I Fought the Law: Mandamus for the Trial Lawyer, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2020.
Co-Presenter, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Trial Institute, February 2020, Annapolis.
Co-Presenter of, Entities and Marital Property Law–Interrelated Claims and Issues, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, October 2019, Savannah.
Presenter of Declaratory Actions, MSJ’s, and Other Weird and Effective Family Law Tools, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2019, San Antonio.
Co-Presenter of Stay in Your Lane: The Proper Role of Financial Experts, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2019, Galveston.
Presenter of Don’t Lose your Appeal at Trial, Advanced Trial Skills for Family Lawyers Course, December 2018, New Orleans.
Co-Presenter of Marital Agreements, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, October 2018, San Diego.
Presenter of Character of Debts, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2018, San Antonio.
Presenter of Temporary Orders During Appeal, Marriage Dissolution, April 2018, Dallas.
Co-Course Director, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Trial Institute, February 2018, Las Vegas.
Presenter of Wildlings and Other Things Beyond the Wall—The Impact of Character Beyond Dividing the Community Estate, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, October 2017, Las Vegas.
Presenter of Appellate Issues Affecting Your Family Law Practice, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2017, San Antonio.
Course Director, Marriage Dissolution, April 2017, Austin.
Presenter of Technology Case Law Update, Family Law & Technology, December 2016, Austin.
Co-Course Director, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2016, San Antonio.
Presenter of Procedural Tricks and Traps, Marriage Dissolution, April 2016, Galveston.
Co-Presenter, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Trial Institute, January 2016, Charleston.
Presenter of Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, What You’re Supposed to Write and How it Will Help You, Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, December 2015, Dallas.
Presenter of Who Made This Mess? The Messy Process of Enforcing the Property Division, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, October 2015, Denver.
Presenter of Jurisdictional Issues, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2015, San Antonio.
Presenter of Evidentiary Predicates, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2015, Dallas.
Co-Presenter of I love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change: PDF Document Management—How to Create, Save, e-File, Markup and Collaborate with Clients and Opposing Counsel from Within the Software, Family Law Technology 360, December 2014, Austin.
Presenter of Recovering Attorney’s Fee’s, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2014, San Antonio.
Co-Presenter of Post-Trial/Appeal, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2014, San Antonio.
Co-Presenter of Appellate Concerns Before, During, and After Trial, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2014, San Antonio.
Presenter of Pleadings, Motions, and Orders, Relating to Summary, Declaratory, and Default Judgments, Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, December 2013, Dallas.
Presenter of Post-Trial Motions, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2013, San Antonio.
Presenter of Predicates, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2013, Houston.
Co-Presenter of Dealing with Foreign Jurisdictional Property Issues, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, October 2012, New Orleans.
Co-Presenter of Appellate Practice—From Every Angle, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2012, Houston.
Presenter of Electronic Discovery—How to Get It, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2012, Dallas.
Presenter of Post-Trial Drafting Issues, Advanced Drafting Course, December 2011, Dallas.
Presenter of Trying a Case with Appeal in Mind, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2011, San Antonio.
Co-Presenter of Appellate Practice—From Every Angle, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2011, San Antonio.
Presenter of Running a Law Office for Fun And Profit, Soaking Up Some CLE Seminar, 2011, South Padre.
Presenter of Appellate CYA, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2011, Austin.
Presenter of The Basics: Procedural Concerns, Parent-Child Relationships Seminar, UT CLE, January 2011, Houston.
Co-Presenter of Strategies for Proving Best Interest, Parent-Child Relationships Seminar, UT CLE, January 2011, Houston.
Presenter of Using Summary Judgment Procedure in Family Law Cases, Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, December 2010, Houston.
Co-Presenter of Appellate Practice from Every Angle, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2010, San Antonio.
Presenter of Proving Separate Property: An Argument for More Use of Summary Judgment Practice in Family Law Cases, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2010.
Presenter of Preservation of Error (Including Making and Meeting Objections), 2009 Trial of Breach of Fiduciary Duty Litigation Cases, Fredericksburg, Texas.
Presenter of Equitable Remedies: Getting Out of Traps, Messes, and Other Problems to which You or Your Client May Have Unintentionally Agreed, Advanced Family Law Course, August 2009.
Course Director for the 2009 Boot Camp prior to the State Bar of Texas Advanced Family Law Course.
Presenter of, Appealing Your Family Law Case, 23^rd Annual Family Law Conference, South Texas College of Law, March 2009, Houston.
Course Director of Family Law Essentials Seminar, October 2008, San Angelo.
Presenter of Brief Writing that Appeals to Your Audience, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2008.
Course Director for 2008 Brown Bag Seminar for Tarrant County Bar Association titled “When Reasonable Minds Cannot Disagree: Summary Judgment Practice in Texas.”
Presenter of Extraordinary Writs: When Ordinary Relief Just Won’t Do, Marriage Dissolution Course, April 2007, El Paso.

Professional Associations

Member, Tarrant County Bar Association, Present
Member, Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, Present
Chair, Committee on Pattern Jury Charges, Family & Probate Volume, 2020 to present
Member, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2022
Immediate Past Chair, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2020-2021
Chair, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2019-2020
Chair-Elect, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2018-2019
Vice Chair, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2017-2018
Treasurer, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2016-2017
Secretary, Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2015-2016
Member, Family Law Council, State Bar of Texas, 2010-2015
Member, Committee on Pattern Jury Charges, Family & Probate Volume, 2017-2020
Chair, District Seven Grievance Committee, 2017-2019
Member, District Seven Grievance Committee, 2013-2019
Member, Texas Commission to Expand Civil Legal Services, 2015-2016
Secretary, Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court, 2012-2013
Director, Tarrant County Bar Association Board of Directors, 2008-2009
Chair of the Tarrant County Bar Association Appellate Section, 2008-2009

Education

J.D., Texas Tech University School of Law, 1999
B.A., University of Texas at Austin, 1996

Bar Admissions

Texas, 1999

Certifications

Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2021-Present
Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2006-Present