Christopher R. Nichols

A Proven Advocate for the Injured. We Know How Insurance Companies Work

Chris Nichols represents people who have been injured, not the insurance companies trying to limit what those claims are worth. With more than 25 years of experience and over 30 jury trials, he understands how insurers evaluate, defend, and resolve personal injury lawsuits and workers’ compensation claims.

Nichols Law Firm has earned a reputation as an effective personal injury and workers’ compensation law firm, serving residents of Raleigh and communities throughout North Carolina.

Practice Focus

Nichols Law Firm focuses on representing injured individuals in:

• Personal injury 100% Plaintiff
• Motor Vehicle Accidents — Plaintiff
• Sexual Abuse Victims
• Catastrophic injury
• Wrongful death cases
• Medicaid lien reduction
• Arbitration
• Workers’ compensation and workers’ comp claims
• Insurance coverage disputes and bad faith
• Government Affairs Policy Consulting

Professional Leadership

Chris is a former President of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, a statewide trial lawyers association, and has held multiple leadership roles within the organization and the North Carolina Bar Association.

• North Carolina Advocates for Justice, President, 2015 to 2016
• North Carolina Bar Association, Litigation Section Chair, 2014 to 2015
• North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, Member, 1993 to Present
• North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, Board of Governors
• North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, Professional Negligence Section
• North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, Auto Torts Chair
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member
• South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association, Member, 1998-2000
• Henderson County Dispute Settlement Center, Board of Directors, 1995 to 1999
• Pisgah Legal Services, Volunteer Attorney, 1994 to 1995
• National Association of Trial Lawyer Executives, Member

He is also the editor and contributor to the North Carolina Personal Injury Liens Manual (LexisNexis), a leading resource for attorneys handling personal injury and insurance recovery matters.

Recent Awards and Recognition

• Charles L. Becton Teaching Award, NCAJ  
• North Carolina Super Lawyers Top 100 (2026)
• North Carolina Super Lawyers, Personal Injury (2020–2026)
• The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 (2020–2026)
• Education Achievement Award, North Carolina Advocates for Justice
• Order of Service Award, North Carolina Advocates for Justice
• Ebbie Award – Citation of Excellence

Teaching, Publications, and Legal Education

Chris regularly teaches lawyers and law students on personal injury litigation, insurance law, UM/UIM coverage, and Medicaid lien strategy. His presentations focus on how cases are evaluated, negotiated, and resolved in practice.

Liens in Personal Injury Cases

Chris regularly teaches lawyers about liens in personal injury cases. A lien is when a health insurer seeks repayment from a personal injury settlement for medical bills it has paid.

He has served as an expert witness in lien-related cases and focuses on lawful strategies to reduce liens and maximize a client’s recovery. He also provides lien reduction services to other lawyers handling personal injury lawsuits and workers’ compensation matters.

Selected Presentations

• “UM/UIM Law in North Carolina: Recent Changes and Practical Application,” (CLE, 2026)
• “Medicaid Liens in North Carolina: Strategy, Reduction, and Litigation,” (CLE, 2026)
• “Plaintiff’s Perspective on DWI,” (N.C. Advocates for Justice, December 2024)
• “Plaintiff’s Perspective on DWI and Serious Injury,” (N.C. Advocates for Justice, October 2022)
• “Arbitration Hearing Best Practices from an Arbitrator’s Perspective,” (N.C. Advocates for Justice, August 2021)
• “Medicaid and State Health Plan Liens,” (N.C. Advocates for Justice Summer Conference for Paralegals, June 2021)
• “Civil Procedure Best Practices: Current Developments in Civil Practice,” (N.C. Bar Association, February 2021)
• “How to Conduct an Arbitration or Mediation via Zoom,” (N.C. Advocates for Justice, April 2020)

Community Involvement and Mock Trial

Chris has a long-standing commitment to legal education and community service. He has coached and mentored high school and middle school mock trial teams and has served on boards and committees supporting civic education and access to justice.

He has been involved with the North Carolina High School Mock Trial Program and the National High School Mock Trial Championship for 30 years, helping train and mentor student advocates.

Background

Chris Nichols founded Nichols Law Firm in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he represents individuals in personal injury lawsuits and workers’ compensation matters across the state. His practice also includes government affairs and policy consulting, advising organizations on legislative and regulatory issues.