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Joining Forces. Multiplying Strengths.

Clayton Bryant, Cindy V. Tisdale, Chris Nickelson | January 9, 2023

Goranson Bain Ausley welcomes recognized family law leaders to the team

Goranson Bain Ausley expands into West Texas

The well-regarded practices of Chris Nickelson and Cindy Tisdale are now part of our family law team. Their addition expands GBA’s presence into West Texas with offices in Fort Worth and Granbury, and services in Midland. With this combination, we’re not only growing in numbers but in strengths. Chris, Cindy, and her associate Clayton Bryant bring distinctive capabilities and an established record in helping clients successfully resolve some of the most challenging family law issues. We’re proud to join forces with them. It means that we can serve more people in more places with more resources to protect families and secure futures.

“The firm has always emphasized purposeful growth. The addition of Cindy, Chris and Clayton will make GBA an even stronger resource for clients and referring professionals. Together, our goal is to make family law better for Texas.”

–Lindley Bain, Managing Partner

Chris Nickelson

Chris, who practiced alongside his highly accomplished father, Gary Nickelson, for 14 years, is respected throughout the State of Texas for his appellate experience and deep understanding of marital property laws. Serving as Chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, he has worked to reform and standardize custody and possession rules statewide.

Chris is Dual Board Certified in Family Law and Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is especially adept at dividing business ownership and ensuring value and security for the non-owning spouse. Other family lawyers frequently bring Chris in 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. In his practice at Goranson Bain Ausley, Chris will continue to provide trial and appellate services to family lawyers throughout the state of Texas. He will work out of Goranson Bain Ausley’s Fort Worth family law office.

“The reason I made this move is simple—to provide even higher levels of service. Exceeding client expectations in today’s environment requires resources that only a firm like Goranson Bain Ausley possesses.”

-Chris Nickelson

Cindy V. Tisdale

Cindy, who founded her firm 20 years ago, manages the full range of family law issues with a special emphasis on complex property cases and contentious custody disputes. She is held in high esteem by her peers for providing clients with advice, education, and advocacy to resolve their cases.

A leader in the legal community, Cindy is President-Elect of the State Bar of Texas, trusted by the 110,000 lawyers in the state for her leadership and vision. She is one of the few family lawyers who is a member of the highly recognized American Board of Trial Advocates, an invitation-only national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges. Cindy is also a fellow of the prestigious International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Cindy will continue to service clients in Midland, Fort Worth, Granbury, and surrounding counties working out of GBA’s Granbury and Fort Worth office locations.

“We chose to partner with GBA because their family lawyers share our core values. Finding a firm that embraced a client-first mindset, constructive approaches to resolution, and attention to client value was essential.”

-Cindy V. Tisdale

Clayton Bryant

An experienced advocate, and litigator, Clayton pursues creative solutions for contentious custody and property issues as he seeks to ensure clients’ future security.

With 15 years of concentrated family law experience, Clayton manages the full range of cases, including custody issues, property division, and trusts and estates. He serves professionals and their spouses, parents who want to put the interests of their children first, and mid-life clients looking for security as they begin new chapters. Clayton is a seasoned litigator experienced with jury trials and a certified mediator who strives to guide his clients on the best path forward.

Appointed to the District 14 Grievance Committee for Lawyer Discipline, Clayton also serves as the municipal prosecutor for the City of Glen Rose. He is the past president of the Hood County Bar Association. Clayton will continue serving clients in Granbury and surrounding counties and will work out of GBA’s Granbury family law office.

“By combining with GBA, we will be able to expand the depth and breadth of our capabilities and also offer clients more resources and increased support on time-sensitive matters.”

-Clayton Bryant