Chris Nickelson

Offering Exceptional Trial and Appellate Skills Required for Resolving 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 (divorce appeals) 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 helping with analysis of challenging legal issues, developing creative solutions and arguments, preparing for trial, and handling 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

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Experience and Professional Credentials

Chris is an experienced trial and family law appellate attorney respected throughout Texas who is frequently called on to handle high-profile matters. Prior to joining GBA, he served as Chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas and helped to reform and standardize custody and possession rules statewide. 

Chris is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law and is well-known for his appellate experience. Chris has represented family law clients in many of the State’s fifteen courts of appeals as well as in the Texas Supreme Court.  He has a deep understanding of marital property laws as they apply to business valuations and closely held businesses, high-net-worth divorce, and complex property disputes and is particularly skilled at dividing business ownership while ensuring security and value for the non-owning spouse.

Chris is a frequent author and speaker at statewide family law courses, including Advanced Family Law, Marriage Dissolution, and New Frontiers in Marital Property. Board-Certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Chris has been recognized as a Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly magazine from 2014 to present and a Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine from 2007 to present.

Interests

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

Chris Nickelson is a Fort Worth divorce lawyer working out of our Fort Worth family law office with a focus on high-net-worth divorce, complex property disputes, and divorce appeals.