Christopher W. Nicholson
Partner
For over 37 years, Christopher W. Nicholson has been a trusted attorney for individuals navigating complex family law cases throughout Maryland. Chris brings extensive trial and out-of-court resolution experience in a wide range of family law issues, such as:
- Divorce
- Alimony
- Arbitration & mediation
- Child custody & visitation
- Child custody, access and support
- Marital property and monetary division
- Division of retirement assets
- Gray divorce, with spouses over 50
- Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
- Post-divorce modifications
- Business valuations
- Protective orders
- Domestic violence
- Domestic partner agreements
- Divorce for business owners
- Dissipation of assets
A compassionate mediator and skilled courtroom advocate, Chris gravitates toward emotionally-charged family law controversies where his clients may fear that their interests will be unprotected by the legal system or their spouse. Chris excels at providing his clients tailored and personal legal counsel, taking the extra time necessary to listen and respond to his clients’ unique concerns, no matter how busy his day. His goal is to make sure that each client fully understands every step of the legal process by helping them navigate the system.
Chris is a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a Past Chair of the Maryland State Bar Association Family, the Juvenile Law Section Council and the International Academy of Family Law Attorneys. He received The Beverly Groner Family Law Award, presented in recognition of service to the Maryland legal community through dedication to the practice of law. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyer since 2008, a Top 100 Super Lawyer since 2013, and he has been ranked in the top 10 list of Super Lawyers in Maryland. He is also a Maryland Daily Record Icon, a Best Lawyer in America and an AV Preeminent Rated attorney. He is the 2009 recipient of the J. Earle Plumhoff Professionalism Award presented by the Baltimore County Bar Association. Additionally, Chris is a recipient of The Daily Record Leadership in Law Award and is a frequent lecturer and author on family law topics. Chris received his Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1982 and a BS from the University of Delaware in 1979.
Chris was co-chair of the Family Law Subcommittee of the Bench Book Oversight Committee. He is also a prior member of the Custody Subcommittee of the Maryland Judiciary Conference, the Committee on Family Law, the Discrete Task Representation Subcommittee of the SRL, the Finance Budget Committee and the Access & Delivery of Legal Services Committee. He is a past chair of the Family and Juvenile Law Section Council and is a presenter of both Case Law and Legislation Updates at the Harford County Family Law Conference. Chris is a previous presenter of the Professionalism Course at the Maryland State Bar Association and has served as faculty and presented the Essentials of Maryland Practice, also for the Maryland State Bar Association. He is also a certified arbitrator with the national American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and is a past member of the AAML Board of Governors and currently serves on the Committee of Admissions Standards at a national level. He also received a certificate in a negotiation workshop from Harvard University through the AAML.
Chris has testified before both the House and the Senate of The Maryland Legislature on family law legislation and has presented at the annual educational meetings hosted by the Maryland State Bar Association. He has also presented at Family Law Meetings around Maryland and has published and lectured through the state on topics such as alimony, child advocacy, the preparation of domestic cases and grandparent visitation. Most recently, he taught Civics and the Law for the Baltimore County Bar Association. Additionally, he has co-edited and authored the Family Law chapter of the Maryland State Bar Association’s Practice Manual for the Maryland Lawyer, and he recently taught his chapter from the Fifth Edition to the Maryland State Bar Association.
Within the community, Chris is a graduate of Leadership Baltimore County. Additionally, he is a past president of People Aiding Travelers and the Homeless, the Maryland State Golf Association and the Towson Golf and Country Club. He is a prior adjunct faculty member for the University of Baltimore Law School, and he teachers Family Law in the summer for the University of Maryland Law School.