Christopher R. Nichols
Top rated Personal Injury attorney in Raleigh, North Carolina
Nichols Law Firm
Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Legislative & Governmental Affairs, Alternative Dispute Resolution; view more
Licensed in North Carolina since: 1994
Education: Wake Forest University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2025 Call today:
919-915-0212
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130 S Salisbury StRaleigh, NC 27601 Visit website
Details
Attorney Christopher R. Nichols is the founder of Nichols Law Firm in Raleigh, North Carolina. An award-winning trial attorney with 30 years of legal experience, Mr. Nichols provides personalized counsel and support to clients throughout Wake, Durham, and Orange counties and all across the state. Mr. Nichols only accepts a limited number of cases each year so he can always have direct consultations with his clients. As a purposefully designed small firm, Mr. Nichols brings his previous experience from big litigation firms to a one-on-one setting for his clients in order to give individualized attention to every case.
Mr. Nichols is now accepting personal injury or wrongful death claims arising from any of the following:
· Motor vehicle accidents
· Dog bites and animal attacks
· Construction accidents
· Sexual abuse
· Psychological and Psychiatric malpractice (not surgical malpractice)
· Head and spinal cord injuries
· Injuries and death caused by drunk drivers (DWI)
In addition, Mr. Nichols handles workers’ compensation third party claims as well as bad faith insurance disputes, and he has extensive experience using arbitration as a means to help his clients resolve their conflicts and obtain the favorable outcomes they deserve. A tenacious and aggressive trial advocate, he has gained a reputation as a formidable opponent in the courtroom. Whether through litigation, arbitration or negotiation, he has recovered millions of dollars in total compensation for his plaintiff clients.
Mr. Nichols has many publications to his credit, and he has conducted over 50 lectures and continuing legal education seminars across North Carolina on a variety of legal topics relating to personal injury cases. He was elected President of the 3,000 member North Carolina trial lawyer association in 2015 (NCAJ) and has served on the board of governors of the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. He has served as Chair of the North Carolina Bar Association's Litigation Section.
Among his other professional affiliations, Mr. Nichols has been a member of the American Association for Justice, the South Carolina Association for Justice, and other local, state, and national legal organizations.
A 1991 cum laude graduate of Wake Forest University, Mr. Nichols obtained his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1994. While there, he served as member of the Wake Forest moot court board and both the Student Bar Association and the Student Trial Bar Association. He graduated as a member of the litigation honor societies, the Chief Justice Joseph Branch American Inn of Court as well as the Order of the Barristers.
Mr. Nichols is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, and he has received the Mentoring Award, the Order of Service Award and the Education Achievement Award from the New Lawyers Division of North Carolina Advocates for Justice along with the Ebbie Award – Citation of Excellence 2007 from the North Carolina Advocates for Justice.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Legislative & Governmental Affairs, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Insurance Coverage, Civil Litigation: PlaintiffFocus areas
Animal Bites, Arbitration, Assault, Bad Faith Insurance, Brain Injury, Construction Accident, Insurance, Mediation, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Sexual Abuse - Plaintiff, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
First Admitted: 1994, North Carolina
Professional Webpage: https://www.nicholstriallaw.com/attorney/christopher-r-nicho...
Bar/Professional Activity:
- State Government Affairs consultant., 2023
- Attorney Advisor for Broughton High School North Carolina State Champions high school mock trial team that advanced to National Championship Tournament., 2022
- Member- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, 2020 to present
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice, President, June 13, 2015 - June 13, 2016
- North Carolina Bar Association, Litigation Section Chair, June 15, 2014 - June 15, 2015
- North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, Board of Governors, 1999 - 2000
- North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, Member, 1993
- Raleigh- Broughton High School Mock Trial Team, Attorney Coach, 2015 - 2021
- East Henderson High School Mock Trial Team, 1995 - 2000
- South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association, Member, 1998 - Present
- Henderson County Dispute Settlement Center, Board of Directors, 1995 - 1999
- Pisgah Legal Services, Volunteer Attorney, 1994 - 1995
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member, beginning in 1994
- North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, Professional Negligence Section, Member, 2002 - Present
- North Carolina State Bar, 1994, U.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina, 1994
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- Associated counsel for lien reduction in two major cases resulting in reductions of liens by over one million dollars., 2024
- Represented Estate of person who died in a fire in an apartment building where, through forensic studies, we were able to prove that inadequate measures to ensure the safety of the tenant were taken. Case settled in the high six figures after lawsuit was filed., 2024
- Punitive damages against drunk driver. Obtained six figure policy limits settlement against drunk driver., 2023
- Six figure settlement of policy limits for motorcyclist struck by drunk driver. Claimed punitive damages on property damage policy as well as bodily injury policy and was able to max out both policies., 2022
- Multi-Million dollar settlement reached in industrial accident which left client with partial blindness and permanent closed head injury. Case settled at mediation., 2021
- Six figure settlement for adult who was childhood victim of sexual abuse by neighbor. Defendant paid from non-insurance proceeds, 2020
- 1 Million + settlement. Settled sexual abuse case for child client against corporate defendant and corporate officers who failed to follow state safety and legal requirements to properly screen employees of business for past criminal convictions. Employee with previous sex crime conviction was allowed to work near children. Settlement included tender of insurance policy limits as well as sale and liquidation of all corporate assets which were placed in a specialized trust for the minor's benefit, 2019
- $750,000 + Represented victim of corporate and employee negligence. Defendant owned business where client was a customer. Customer was burned by equipment which was not properly safeguarded. Further, injured customer was not discovered for considerable amount of time due to negligent safety systems and employee conduct, contributing to the extent of customer's injuries. Case was defended on contributory negligence as well as denial of negligence. Case settled one month before trial, 2018
- Policy limits of $100,000. Husband and wife were hit by drunk driver who had just caused another crash and was attempting to leave scene of the first crash. The impact to the client's care was at a speed of less than 10 miles per hour but expert testimony established that the angle of the impact caused worse medical damages than expected. Medical treatment was limited to physical therapy and medical costs were less than $5,000. Through extensive discovery and and investigation, proved that Defendant was lying about them amount of alcohol consumed before the wreck and prost wreck rehabilitation efforts, 2017
Representative Clients:
- Represented victim of drunk driver who was injured in hit and run drunk driving accident. Tracked drunk driver and used information to help negotiate policy limits settlement with drink driver's insurance company., 2023
- Medicaid lien reduction for attorney. In 2023 I worked on several cases where other lawyers hired me to help negotiate and litigate Medicaid subrogation lien compromises for their clients. Over the last several years we have obtained over a million dollars in reductions., 2023
- Dog bite victim. Represented child who was bitten by neighbor's dog after neighbor negligently failed to watch and restrain the animal which had previously bitten humans. We negotiated with health insurance companies who claimed they should be repaid and placed the settlement funds in a high yield annuity for the minor client. , 2023
- Represented victim of drunk driver in motorcycle accident. , 2022
- Represented Truck Driver who was injured in an industrial loading accident. Obtained multi-million dollar settlement that allowed for lifetime of benefits and medical care. Client was able to build a specialized home to accommodate their disabilities., 2021
- Represented adult who was childhood victim of sexual assault by neighbor. Overcame statute of limitations challenge through use of new North Carolina sexual abuse statute allowing a new window of filing opportunity if defendant is convicted of sex crime, regardless of when crime was committed. Case settled during negotiations for confidential six figure amount paid exclusively with non-insurance monies, 2020
- 1 Million + settlement. Settled sexual abuse case for child client against corporate defendant and corporate officers who failed to follow state safety and legal requirements to properly screen employees of business for past criminal convictions. Employee with previous sex crime conviction was allowed to work near children. Settlement included tender of insurance policy limits as well as sale and liquidation of all corporate assets which were placed in a specialized trust for the minor's benefit, 2019
- Represented customer of gym who was severely burned (3rd degree burns requiring hospitalization and skin grafts) by equipment which was not up to code or manufacturer's requirements for safety mechanisms. Through investigation and discovery found same equipment at different locations protected by required safeguards. Case settled for high six figure amount after mediation and extensive depositions, 2018
- Represented child abused in church day care setting. Case settled for confidential seven figure amount during mediation and included sale of Defendant's corporate assets as well as tender of insurance policy limits, 2018
- Represented adult who was a victim of childhood sexual abuse. Challenged statute of limitations defense with discovered memory exception. Case settled fat mediation for confidential six figure amount which involved substantial liquidation of personal assets of defendant, 2015
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- National Ombuds Training and certificate, 2020 RE/OAR, Phase 1 Training, Durham, 2015 North Carolina Superior Court Mediation Training course completed, 40 hours, Jan. 2012 Mediations completed as party participant 200+Arbitrations completed as arbitrator 100+ Collaborative Law training and certification with emphasis on medical disputes Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, Leadership Development Program
- Certified trained by United States Omsbud Association, 2020
Pro bono/Community Service:
- High School Mock Trial Coach, Broughton High School, Raleigh, since 2015, 2022
- North Carolina High School Mock Trial Board of Directors, 2024
- National High Mock Trial Championship Steering Committee, 2013 - 2015
- Legal Aid volunteer attorney for two years helping callers with landlord tenant issues, 2015
- Attorney Coach, Ligon Middle School Mock Trial Team, 2014-2015, Lawyer on the Line, Lawyer Volunteer, NC Legal Aid, 2013-present, Lawyer Coach, Broughton High School, Raleigh, Mock Trial, 2004, Board of Directors, Mainstay Women's Shelter, 1997-1999, Attorney Coach, East Henderson High School Mock Trial Team, 1995-2000, President, Henderson County Bar Association, 1998, Board of Directors, Henderson County Dispute Settlement Center, 1995-1999, Pisgah Legal Services, Volunteer Attorney, 1994-1995, Attorney Adviser, Salem Academy Mock Trial Team, 1992-1993
Honors/Awards:
- Order of Service Award - North Carolina Advocates for Justice
- Education Achievement Award- NC Advocates for Justice, 2012 - 2015
Educational Background:
- Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, May 1991, B.A., with honors, Honors: cum laude, Air Force Officers' Association Scholarship, Member, Student Government Association, Old Gold and Black, Student Newspaper, Food Reporter, Student Defenders Association, Chairman, Majors: Political Science & Sociology
- Wake Forest University School of Law, Winston Salem, North Carolina, 1994, J.D. Honors: Order of the Barristers Litigation Honor Society, Honors: Wake Forest Moot Court Board, 1992-1994, Honors: Chief Justice Joseph Branch American Inn of Court, Honors: Student Bar Association, 1992-1994, Honors: Student Trial Bar Association, 1991-1994, Honors: Litigation Honor Society
White Papers:
- “How to Conduct an Arbitration or Mediation Via Zoom in the Time of Covid 19,” (via Zoom, N.C. Advocates for Justice, April 1, 2020). “Keeping Sane in a Pandemic and Time of Fear,” (via Zoom with Bill Powers, Carolina Legal Education Association, March 22, 2020). “Plaintiff’s Perspective on DWI Felony / Serious Injury: Punitive Damages, Recorded Statements and Attorney-Client Privilege,” (Carolina Legal Education Association, February 2020). Edition Editor, Trial Briefs Magazine: Mediation and Arbitration (N.C. Advocates for Justice, December 2020). “Plaintiff's Perspective on Mediation Strategies,” Campbell School of Law, ADR Class, 2014 through 2020. “Ethical Consideration in Resolving Lien and Medical Payment Disputes,” N.C. Advocates for Justice, February 22, 2019. “Best Methods for Dispute Resolution with Liens,” Summer Paralegal Conference,” N.C. Advocates for Justice, June 9, 2018. “Opening Statements: Proving Causation,” N.C. Advocates for Justice, January 31, 2017. “Effective Work Life Balance,” NC Department of Justice CLE, October 6, 2016. “Staying Sane in an Insane Profession,” NC County Attorneys, July 9, 2016. “What Every Lawyer Should Know About Insurance: Update on liens,” N.C. Advocates for Justice, January 29, 2016. “Strategies for Effective Mediation,” Wake Forest University School of Law, Trial Advocacy Course, April 2015. “Effective Direct Examination: How to Get Out of the Way,” CCCE Mock Trial Summer Workshop, June 25, 2014. “How to Force Medical Providers to Submit to Health Insurance,” N.C. Advocates for Justice, February 21, 2013. “Practical Law Office Ethics for Social Media in Litigation,” speaker, Raleigh-Wake Paralegal Association Annual Seminar, October 21, 2013. “Recent Changes to the UM/UIM Laws From the Rate Bureau,” speaker, North Carolina Advocates for Justice Summer Convention, June 15, 2013. “The Lien Checklist: what every paralegal needs to know.,” 2013 Paralegal Conference, Asheville, NC, October 19, 2013. “Effective Opening Statements,” CCCE Mock Trial Summer Workshop, June 9, 2013. “Wos v EMA: Changes to Medicaid law after the 4th Circuit Opinion,” speaker, N.C. Advocates for Justice, October 14, 2013. “Technology in the law office: What works, what doesn't,” speaker, N.C. Advocates for Justice, November 20, 2012. “EMA v Cansler and the state of Medicaid Subrogation,” teleseminar, N.C. Advocates for Justice, April 17, 2012. “Beyond Facebook- Social Media in Your Law Office,” speaker, Raleigh-Wake Paralegal Association Annual Seminar, October 21, 2011. “Voir Dire Techniques,” speaker, N.C. Advocates for Justice, September 17, 2009. “Getting the Goods on the Bad Guys: A Practical Demonstration and Discussion of the Legal Ethics of Mining Social Networking Sites,” N.C. Advocates for Justice, September 26, 2008. “Social Media in Your Law Office,” speaker, Raleigh-Wake Paralegal Association Annual Seminar, October 3, 2008. “Money Saving Tips on Technology for Your Office,” Speaker, N.C. Advocates for Justice, April 3, 2008. Additional older articles available upon request, Author and speaker for over 60 seminars continuing legal education presentations, Legal
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Provided update on the work I did to help raise them minimum auto policy limits in NC from $30,000 per person to $50,000 per person. This also included a change to the how UIM works as it no longer takes a credit for liability coverage paid. Also, UIM/UM will now be mandatory on all policies., Speaker, Legislative Update on Insurance Changes in NC, NC Advocates for Justice, Plaintiff Counsel, 2024
- Presented hour long seminar on the interactions between Plaintiff lawyers representing victims of drunk drivers and the criminal defense lawyers who represent them. Focus on leveraging insurance companies to pay fair compensation to victims which in turn helps the defense lawyers get fair deals on pleas with the victim's cooperation., Speaker, How Plaintiff attorneys and criminal defense attorneys can help each other, NC Advocates for Justice, Plaintiff Attorneys, Criminal Defense Attorneys, 2023
- Presenter, Rule 411: Liability Insurance as Evidence at Trial, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2001
- Mediation Strategies, Wake Forest School of Law, April 22, 2015
- Learning the Ropes: How to Try a Soft Tissue Injury Case, Program Chair, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1997
- Learning the Ropes: The Basics of Civil Procedure, a Practical Approach, Program Chair, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1998
- Presenter, Ethics 101: The New Rules, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1998
- Presenter, So You Want to Open a Law Firm, North Carolina Bar Association and Lawyers' Mutual Insurance Company, 1998
- Learning the Ropes: Basics of Family Law, Program Chair, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1999
- Learning the Ropes-Getting the Most out of your Personal Injury Case: Winning, Collecting and Keeping Your Damages, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1999
- Presenter, Medicaid, Medicare and Health Care Provider Liens: Putting Money in Your Client's Pocket and Keeping Yourself Out of Trouble, Practical Trial Skills Seminar, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2001
- Common Ethical Issues in Medical Malpractice Actions (with Patrick Balestrieri), N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers, November, 2003
- The Masters of Insurance Law: ABC's and 123's, Seminar Co-Chair, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2001
- Presenter, Demonstrative Evidence: Exhibits on the Cheap for Smaller Cases, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2001
- Presenter, Voir Dire: Pushing the Limits Within the Rules, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2002
- Reading Their Minds: Defense Themes in Personal Injury Cases, Mountain Magic Seminar, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2002
- Presenter, Strategies for Arbitrating UM/UIM Cases, The Masters of Insurance Law Seminar, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2002
- Faculty Member, Civil Trial Advocacy Clinic, N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2003
- Seminar, Chair and Speaker, Live! the Trial of a Connective Tissue Injury Case, N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2003
- Pre-Suit Mediation: The New Law, N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2003
- Faculty, Depositions: Hands-On Training, N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers
- A Humorous Look at Trial Preparation, Trial Briefs, N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers, March, 2003
- Pre-Suit Mediation: The New Law, N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers, October, 2003
- Medicare and Medicaid Reimbursement from the Plaintiff's Lawyer's Perspective, N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers
- Sykes v. Vixamar and Progressive Univ. Ins. Co., 830 S.E.2d 669, 673, 830 S.E.2d 669 (2019), Co-Author of Amicus for NC Advocates for Justice. Ezell v. Grace Hospital, Inc., 175 N.C.App. 56, 623 S.E.2d 79 (2005), rev'd per curiam, 360 N.C. 529, 631 S.E.2d 131, reh'g denied, 361 N.C. 180, 641 S.E.2d 4 (2006), Author of Amicus for NC Advocates for Justice Wos v. EMA Ex Rel. Johnson, 133 S. Ct. 1391 (2013), contributed to Respondents' amicus brief. As a result of this United States Supreme Court win helped re-write Medicaid subrogation law for North Carolina. See, House Bill 982 (2013) “An Act to modify the Medicaid subrogation statute in response to the United States Supreme Court Decision in Wos v EMA” which became law as NCGS 108A-57, Writer, Amicus Briefs, various
- The Fight to Get Arbitration in an Automobile Case, and What to do When You Get There (with Joe Adams), N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers, February 2004
- The North Carolina Prima Facie Tort Manual is a quick reference guide to the elements and case law of every recognized tort in North Carolina, including Automobile Negligence, Fraud, Medical Malpractice, and Wrongful Death claims. This bestselling resource shares valuable information on parties including agency, piercing the corporate veil, conspiracy, compensatory and punitive damages, and the statutes of limitations on all torts, Writer, North Carolina Prima Facie Tort Manual, 3rd Edition, “Chapter 13: Infliction of Emotional Distress.”, LexisNexis, Legal, Insurance, Government, 2006
- Personal Injury Practice in North Carolina is a practical guide that covers the most common questions in personal injury law, including practical tips on how to analyze and investigate these cases. The 2017 supplement includes updates about client interviews, locating and preserving evidence, insurance coverage, soft tissue injury cases, punitive damages, UM/UIM arbitration, premises liability and disbursement of settlement funds, Chapter writer, Chapter 8, Arbitration, Personal Injury Practice in North Carolina, 2nd Ed.,, LexisNexis, Government, Insurance, Legal, 2013
- In this Fourth Edition of the North Carolina Personal Injury Liens Manual, readers will find several original chapters completely re-written to reflect new state laws, including the ERISA and Medicare chapters. This 700+ page manual provides fingertip access to more than 35 sample forms, letters, and complaints, and includes dozens of practice tips and pointers. It also contains the text of relevant state and federal statutes, regulations, and case law. Edited by Christopher R. Nichols, a leading personal injury attorney and NCAJ member, this comprehensive and user-friendly fourth edition is a bestselling publication that is intended to help simplify the complexity that characterizes personal injury liens, and to provide information you need to secure maximum net recovery for your clients. Nichols has been the editor and a contributor since the publication if the First Edition in 2009, Editor and Writer, North Carolina Personal Injury Liens Manual, 4th Ed., LexisNexis, Legal, Insurance, Government, 2018
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Elected President of the NC Advocates for Justice formerly the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, June 2015-June 2016 Selected by lawyer peers as President of the largest trial lawyer organization in the state and one of the largest in the United States. As President acted as spokesperson for organization during legislative assault on labor laws in the state of NC. Successfully deflected laws that would rob workers of rights, including the right to ask for legal determination of wrongful termination and workplace discrimination.North Carolina Advocates for Justice, since 1993 (formerly Academy of Trial Lawyers), President, 2015-2016, President Elect, 2014-2015, Chair of CEO Succession Planning Committee, 2014-2015, Legislative Vice President, 2013-2014, Communications Vice President, 2012-2013, Education Vice President, 2011-2012 CV, Christopher R. Nichols, page 3 of 10, Board of Governors, 2007-2011, 2004-2005, Legal Affairs Committee, 2008-2015, Nominating Committee, 2009, Membership Committee, 2005-2009, 2015
- Chair of Litigation Section, North Carolina Bar Association, Chair, Litigation Section (largest section of NCBA), 2014-2015, Vice Chair, Litigation Section, 2013-2014, Chair, Pro Bono Committee of Litigation Section, 2013-2015, Secretary, Litigation Section, 2012-2013, Treasurer, Litigation Section, 2011-2012, Litigation Section, Council member, since 2003, 2015
- Lawyer Mentoring Award- awarded by New Lawyers Division of NC Advocates for Justice, June 1, 2014, 2014
- Ebbie Award- Citation of Excellence 2007 NC Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2007, 2007
Selections
5 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2025
