Attorney Profiles

Gary L. Nickelson
Fort Worth, Texas


phone	817-735-4000
fax	817-735-1480
email	Email Me

Areas of Practice:: Family Law; Child Support; Custody & Visitation; Divorce

Litigation Percentage:: 70% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Certification/Specialties:: Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1984

Bar Admissions:: Texas, 1972

Education:: The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas, 1972
J.D.
Honors: Member, Trial Advocacy Association, 1972
Honors: National Member, Order of the Barristers, 1972
Honors: Moot Court Board, 1970-1972
Honors: Moot Court Board-Secretary/Treasurer, 1971-1972
Honors: International Moot Court Team - 2nd in International Competition, 1972
Honors: International Moot Court Competition, 1972
Honors: Order of Barristers, 1972; Texas Tech University, 1969
B.A.

Published Works:: "Family Law", Parker County Bar Assoc., 1992; "Custody and Visitation", National Business Institute, Fort Worth, Texas, 1992; "Drafting of a Protective Order", Tarrant County Lawyers Against Domestic Violence, Fort Worth, Texas, 1992; "Interesting Cases", Parker County Bar Association Family Law Seminar, Weatherford, Texas, 1993; "The Proper Use of Forms and Form Book", West Texas Legal Services Family Law Seminar, 1993; "Interesting Cases", State Bar of Texas, Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Fort Worth, Texas, 1993; "Special Child Support Problems (For Net Resources Below $6,000.00 per Month)", Marriage Dissolution, South Padre Island, Texas, 1994; "Obtaining Child Support Outside the Guidelines", Texas Legal Assistants Division-Family Law Seminar, Dallas, Texas, 1995; Life Lawyering and Pursuit of Happiness Seminar; "Family Law Updates", N.E. Tarrant County Bar Association, Fort Worth, Texas, 1995; "Trying the Final Trial at the Temporary Hearing", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, El Paso, TX, 1995; "Temporary Orders", Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, TX, 1995; "Practicing Law for Fun and Profit", Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, TX, 1995; "Defending Against Enforcement", Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, Austin, TX, 1995; "Defending Against Enforcement", Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, 1995; "Practicing Law for Fun and Profit: Practical Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls and Enjoying Success, Solvency and Sanity in the Practice of Family Law", American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Mid-Winter Meeting, Koloa, Hawaii, 1996; "Sexual Abuse Allegations and Domestic Relation Proceedings: Practice Guidelines for Attorneys", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Corpus Christi, TX, 1996; "An Overview of the Texas Divorce Process", Fort Worth Chapter, Texas Society of Certified Public Accounts, 1996; "Relocation: Where Can Children Go After Divorce?", Blackstone Seminar, Fort Worth, TX, 1997; "Cross Examination of a Mental Health Professional", American College of Family Trial Lawyers, Laguna Nigel, CA, 1997; "Practicing Law for Fun and Profit", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Dallas, TX, 1997; "Handling a Custody Case Involving Allegations of Sexual Abuse", Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, TX, 1997; "Preparation of the Client as a Witness in Temporary Orders Hearing, Depositions and Trial", Family Law Art and Advocacy Law Course, Houston, TX, 1997; "How and When to Oppose And Community Property", 1998 Meeting of the Council of Community Property States, Las Vegas, NV, 1998; "Daubert Issues (Questioning Reliability of the Methodology of a Custody expert, An Asset Valuation Expert, etc.; Motions and Procedures to Attack/Exclude; Defending Such Attacks on Methodology)", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Austin, TX, 1998; "Family Law for Fun and Profit: Practical Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls and Enjoying Success, Solvency and Sanity in the Practice of Family Law", Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, TX, 1998; "Entities and Divorce- Family Limited Partnerships, Business Organizations, Trusts", New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1998; "Daubert Schmaubert - What the Heck is Daubert?", 1998 Divorce Conference, Dallas, TX, 1998; "Expecting the Unexpected", 1998 Winning Techniques Seminar, Houston, TX, 1998; "Daubert Examination of a Valuation Expert", 13th Annual Trial Institute, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Las Vegas, NV, 1999; "The Family Lawyer's Essential Tool Kit", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, San Antonio, TX, 1999; "Characterization and Tracing", Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, TX, 1999; "Practicing Law for Fun and Profit", Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, TX, 1999; "Defending Against Exotic Property Division Theories", New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, San Diego, CA, 1999; "Qualifying or Disqualifying the Psychological Expert Witness Using Daubert Principles", American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Kohala, HI, 2000; "Practicing Law for Fun and Profit", Amarillo Bar Association Spring Institute, 2000; "Divorce 2000: Taking Care of Your Client and Yourself", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Fort Worth, TX, 2000; "Ethics and Privilege Consideration for CPA's", The Fort Worth Chapter TSCPA, 2000; "Temporary Orders", The Ultimate Family Law Trial Notebook New Orleans, Louisiana, 2000; "Temporary Orders", Corpus Christi Bar Association 2001 Family Law Seminar, 2001; "The Basic Family Law Trial Manual, 2001", American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Palm Springs, CA, 2001; "Characterization Reimbursement & Tracing", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Corpus Christi, TX, 2001; "Principles of Characterization and Tracing", Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, TX, 2001; "Why Am I A Family Law Lawyer?", 16th Annual Trial Institute, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists Cancun, Mexico, 2002; "Mediation: When is it Really Over?", Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, TX, 2002; "Characterization and Tracing on a Budget", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Houston, TX, 2003; "Family Law for Fun and Profit: Practical Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls, And Enjoying Success, Solvency and Sanity in the Practice of Family Law", Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, TX, 2003; "Relief is Just an Appeal Away: Drafting with Appeal", Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, Austin, TX, 2003; 'Family Law for Fun and Profit", American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Lahaina, HI, 2004; "ABC's of Trying the Simple or Complex Case", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Galveston, TX, 2005; "Handling the High Dollar Property Case on an Unlimited Budget", Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, TX, 2005; "Using Outside Resources", Advanced Family Law Drafting, San Antonio, TX, 2005; Editor, Family Law Forum, 1997

Classes/Seminars Taught:: Co-Course Director, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 9th Annual Trial Institute, New Orleans, LA, 1995; Course Director, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialist, 10th Annual Trial Institute, New Orleans, LA, 1996; Co-Course Director, 22nd Annual Advanced Family Law Seminar San Antonio, TX, 1996; Course Director, 26th Annual Advanced Family Law Seminar San Antonio, TX, 2000; Course Director, 27th Annual Marriage Dissolution Seminar Fort Worth, TX, 2004; Co-Course Director, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Texas Chapter Retreat, San Antonio, TX, 1996 - 1998; Course Director, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Texas Chapter Retreat, San Antonio, TX, 1999; Co-Director, Continuing Legal Education, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1997 - 1998; Speaker, Legal Requirements of a Small Business, Fort Worth Chapter Texas Society of CPA's, 1990; Presenter, Protective and Temporary Orders, Parker County Bar Association, 1991; Speaker, "Family Law", Parker County Bar Assoc., 1992; Speaker, "Custody and Visitation", National Business Institute, Fort Worth, Texas, 1992; Speaker, "Drafting of a Protective Order", Tarrant County Lawyers Against Domestic Violence, Fort Worth, Texas, 1992; Speaker, Family Law Seminar, "Interesting Cases", Parker County Bar Association, Weatherford, Texas, 1993; Speaker, "The Proper Use of Forms and Form Book", West Texas Legal Services Family Law Seminar, 1993; Speaker, "Interesting Cases", State Bar of Texas, Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Fort Worth, Texas, 1993; Speaker, "Special Child Support Problems (For Net Resources Below $6,000.00 per Month)", Marriage Dissolution, South Padre Island, Texas, 1994; Speaker, "Obtaining Child Support Outside the Guidelines", Texas Legal Assistants Division-Family Law Seminar, Dallas, Texas, 1995; Speaker, Life Lawyering and Pursuit of Happiness Seminar; Speaker, Ethics Panel, Galveston, Texas, 1995; Speaker, "Family Law Updates", N.E. Tarrant County Bar Association, Fort Worth, Texas, 1995; Speaker, "Trying the Final Trial at the Temporary Hearing", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, El Paso, TX, 1995; Speaker, "Temporary Orders", Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, TX, 1995; Speaker, "Practicing Law for Fun and Profit", Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, TX, 1995; Speaker, "Defending Against Enforcement", Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, Austin, TX, 1995; Speaker, "Defending Against Enforcement", Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, 1995; Speaker, "Practicing Law for Fun and Profit: Practical Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls and Enjoying Success, Solvency and Sanity in the Practice of Family Law", American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Mid-Winter Meeting, Koloa, Hawaii, 1996; Speaker, "Sexual Abuse Allegations and Domestic Relation Proceedings: Practice Guidelines for Attorneys", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Corpus Christi, TX, 1996; Speaker, "Dealing with Special Problems Attendant to Division of Closely Held Businesses", New Frontiers in Texas Marital Property Law, San Diego, CA, 1996; Speaker, "An Overview of the Texas Divorce Process", Fort Worth Chapter, Texas Society of Certified Public Accounts, 1996; Speaker, "Relocation: Where Can Children Go After Divorce?", Blackstone Seminar, Fort Worth, TX, 1997; Speaker, "Cross Examination of a Mental Health Professional", American College of Family Trial Lawyers, Laguna Nigel, CA, 1997; Speaker, "Practicing Law for Fun and Profit", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Dallas, TX, 1997; Speaker, "Handling a Custody Case Involving Allegations of Sexual Abuse", Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, TX, 1997; Speaker, "Preparation of the Client as a Witness in Temporary Orders Hearing, Depositions and Trial", Family Law Art and Advocacy Law Course, Houston, TX, 1997; Speaker, "How and When to Oppose A Choice of Managing Conservator", 12th Annual Trial Institute, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, New Orleans, LA, 1998; Speaker, "Cohabitant Relationships And Community Property", Meeting of the Council of Community Property States, Las Vegas, NV, 1998; Speaker, Daubert Issues (Questioning Reliability of the Methodology of a Custody expert, An Asset Valuation Expert, etc.; Motions and Procedures to Attack/Exclude; Defending Such Attacks on Methodology)", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Austin, TX, 1998; Speaker, Family Law for Fun and Profit: Practical Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls and Enjoying Success, Solvency and Sanity in the Practice of Family Law", Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, TX, 1998; Speaker, "Entities and Divorce- Family Limited Partnerships, Business Organizations, Trusts", New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1998; Speaker, "Daubert Schmaubert - What the Heck is Daubert?", Speaker, 1998 Divorce Conference, Dallas, TX, 1998; Speaker, "Expecting the Unexpected", 1998 Winning Techniques Seminar, Houston, TX, 1998; Speaker, "Daubert Examination of a Valuation Expert", 13th Annual Trial Institute, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Las Vegas, NV, 1999; Speaker, "The Family Lawyer's Essential Tool Kit", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, San Antonio, TX, 1999; Speaker, "Characterization and Tracing", Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, TX, 1999; Speaker, "Practicing Law for Fun and Profit", Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, TX, 1999; Speaker, "Defending Against Exotic Property Division Theories", New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, San Diego, CA, 1999; Speaker, "Qualifying or Disqualifying the Psychological Expert Witness Using Daubert Principles", American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Kohala, HI, 2000; Speaker, "Practicing Law for Fun and Profit", Amarillo Bar Association Spring Institute, 2000; Speaker, "Divorce 2000: Taking Care of Your Client and Yourself", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Fort Worth, TX, 2000; Speaker, "Ethics and Privilege Consideration for CPA's", The Fort Worth Chapter TSCPA, 2000; Speaker, "Temporary Orders", The Ultimate Family Law Trial Notebook, The Ultimate Family Law Trial Notebook, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2000; Speaker, "Temporary Orders", Corpus Christi Bar Association 2001 Family Law Seminar, 2001; Speaker, "The Basic Family Law Trial Manual, 2001", American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Palm Springs, CA, 2001; Speaker, "Characterization Reimbursement & Tracing", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Corpus Christi, TX, 2001; Speaker, "Principles of Characterization and Tracing", Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, TX, 2001; Speaker, "Effective Use of Legal Assistants in a Family Law Practice", Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, TX, 2001; Speaker, "Developing Trial Strategies for the Complicated Property Case", New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, Santa Fe, NM, 2001; Speaker, "Why Am I A Family Law Lawyer?", 16th Annual Trial Institute, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Cancun, Mexico, 2002; Speaker, "Mediation: When is it Really Over?", Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, TX, 2002; Speaker, "Characterization and Tracing on a Budget", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Houston, TX, 2003; Speaker, "Family Law for Fun and Profit: Practical Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls, And Enjoying Success, Solvency and Sanity in the Practice of Family Law", Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, TX, 2003; Speaker, "Relief is Just an Appeal Away: Drafting with Appeal", Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, Austin, TX, 2003; Speaker, "Family Law for Fun and Profit", American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Lahaina, HI, 2004; Chair and Moderator, Property Trial Demonstration, Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, TX; Speaker, "ABC's of Trying the Simple or Complex Case", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Galveston, TX, 2005; Speaker, "Handling the High Dollar Property Case on an Unlimited Budget", Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, TX, 2005; Co-Moderator on a Panel, "Science and Law: What is Best for Children of Divorce?", Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, TX, 2005; Speaker, "Using Outside Resources", Advanced Family Law Drafting, San Antonio, TX, 2005; Speaker, "Handling The Property Case On A Shoestring", Texas Stars - Pro Bono Seminar, Abilene, TX, 2006; Speaker, "Enhancing the Practice", Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Boot Camp, Austin, TX, 2006; Speaker, "The Characterization of Punitive Damages", New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, San Diego, CA

Honors and Awards:: Fellow, American Academy Matrimonial Lawyers, 1992 - Present; Certificate, Merit-Appellate Brief Writing, 1972; Certificate, Merit-Appellate Argument, 1972; Fellow of the Year, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1998; Recipient of the Eva Barnes Award, Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, 2002; Recipient of the Dan R. Price, State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, 2003; Listed as a Texas Super Lawyer, Texas Monthly Magazine, 2003 - Present; Top 100 Texas Super Lawyers, Texas Monthly Magazine, 2005

Professional Associations and Memberships:: Tarrant County Bar Association, 1973 - Present; State Bar of Texas, 1972 - Present; Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 1984 - Present; North Texas Family Law Specialists Association, 1984 - Present; Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, 1980 - Present; American Bar Association, 1988 - Present; College of the State Bar of Texas, 1988 - Present; Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, 1989 - 1998; Board of Directors; Parker County Bar Association, 1991 - Present; Texas Supreme Court, 1991 - 1994; Child Support/Visitation Guidelines Committee; State Bar of Texas, 1991 - 1997; Family Law Practice Manual Revision Committee; American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1997 - 1998; Counsel; American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1998 - 2001; Board of Governors; American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2001 - 2006; Vice-President; American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Texas Chapter, 1996 - 1997; Secretary; American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Texas Chapter, 1997 - 1998; Vice President; American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Texas Chapter, 1998 - 1999; President-Elect; American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Texas Chapter, 1999 - 2000; President; State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, 1992 - Present; Family Law Council; State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, 1997 - 1998; Secretary, Family Law Council; State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, 1998 - 1999; Treasurer, Family Law Council; State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, 1999 - 2000; Vice-Chair, Family Law Council; State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, 2000 - 2001; Chair-Elect, Family Law Council; State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, 2001 - 2002; Chair, Family Law Council; State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, 2002 - 2003; Immediate Past Chair, Family Law Council; Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, 1993; President; Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 1993 - 1996; Member, Board of Directors; Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 1996 - 1997; Treasurer; Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 1997 - 1998; Secretary; Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 1998 - 1999; Vice President; Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 1999 - 2000; President-Elect; Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2000 - 2001; President; Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2001 - 2002; Immediate Past-President; State Bar of Texas, 1994 - 1998; Member, Grievance Committee; State Bar of Texas, 1996 - 1998; Chairman, District 7A Professional Enhancement Program; American College of Family Trial Lawyers, 1995 - Present; Diplomat; International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1998 - Present; Member; Family Law Golf Association, 1993 - Present; Co-Founder and Chairman; State Bar of Texas, 1995 - 1997; Chair, Pro Bono Committee of the Family Law Council; Texas Family Law Foundation, 1999 - Present; Life Member; Matrimonial Lawyers Network, 2002 - Present; Member