Our Attorneys

Timothy C. Nies
tim@vanriperandnies.com
(772) 460-2352

Tim’s unique and valuable experience in insurance defense litigation, and from years working as an attorney for insurance companies, puts him in an excellent position to take on national companies and large insurance companies. Prior to representing injured clients, Tim was a senior casualty attorney for both the largest insurance defense firm in the United States and one of the largest insurance defense firms in Florida, where he litigated multiple cases on behalf of Fortune 500 companies.

A former U.S. Army Ranger, Tim was injured in the line of duty. His experience developed and tested his leadership skills, and taught him to react smartly and quickly under pressure, but most importantly for clients, it brought him true insight into what it is like to suffer and recover from life-changing injuries.

Tim earned a BV rating by Martindale Hubbell, the highest rating provided for attorneys practicing law less than ten years, and is a past recipient of the “Best of the Bar” award from the South Florida Business Journal and was recently voted one of the top Up & Coming attorneys in Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite^™.

In addition to the Florida Bar, Tim is admitted to the Federal Bar for the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida. He is a member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ), the Florida Justice Association (FJA), the Palm Beach County Justice Association, the Broward County Bar Association, the Palm Beach County Bar Association, the South Palm Beach County Bar Association and the U.S. Maritime Law Association.

Tim is proud to be a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans.

Practice Areas:

Personal Injury, Automobile & Trucking Negligence, Motorcycle Negligence, Maritime Injuries, Boating Injuries, Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, Longshore & Harbor Workers' Act, Defense Base Act, Products Liability, Premises Liability, Slip & Falls, Animal Bites, Construction Site Injuries.

Education:

Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Juris Doctorate.

Bar Admissions:

Florida
U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida
U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida

Professional Associations and Memberships:

American Association for Justice
Palm Beach County Justice Association
Florida Justice Association
South Palm Beach County Bar Association
Palm Beach County Bar Association
Broward County Bar Association
U.S. Maritime Law Association

Christian Van Riper
christian@vanriperandnies.com

Christian is an experienced trial attorney. 

Prior to helping those injured due to the negligence of others, Christian was a Prosecutor where he litigated thousands of criminal cases. He was promoted from the misdemeanor division to a felony division within seven months of beginning his career as a Prosecutor.  He has argued motions on a great variety of issues, and he has also conducted numerous jury and non-jury trials.  Additionally, Christian has handled a variety of misdemeanor and felony cases from DUI's, driving with a suspended license cases (DWLS), and drug cases to more serious felony cases such as complicated first degree grand theft cases, arson cases, robbery and burglay cases, sexual battery cases and many others.  He has also litigated various cases involving violent criminal charges including misdeameanor assault and battery, domestic violence, aggravated felony assault and battery, and first degree attempted murder.

Prior to being selected to serve the citizens of Florida as an Assistant State Attorney, Christian was a law clerk for the Supreme Court of Florida. Christian worked directly for the justices of the Supreme Court where he analyzed petitions and advised teh Court on various legal and factual issues in both civil and criminal law matters.

Prior to law school, Christian was an investigator with the Department of Children & Families (DCF). During his time as a DCF investigator, where his primary focus was the investigation of child abuse reports, he honed his investigative skills, which assist him today in the investigation of complex personal injury claims. Christian's unique life and work experiences places him in an excellent position when fighting for the rights of his injured clients and his clients' families.

EDUCATION

Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg, FL
Juris Doctor, Cum Laude
Graduated in the top 20% of his class
Honors and Activities: Honor roll every semester eligible, member of Phi Delta Phi


Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
B.A. in Political Science
Minor in Criminal Justice
G.P.A 3.84, Graduated Magna Cum Laude
Honors and Activities: Honor Roll, International Golden Key Society, National Political Science Honor Society.