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Christopher W. Nickels

Chris is a member of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association and the South Carolina Workers Compensation Educational Association. He regularly lectures before various organizations on issues related to worker's compensation and tort law. He tries numerous cases each year, appearing before the South Carolina Workers Compensation Commission and in state courts representing individuals, employers, the self-insured and insurance carriers.

 

In April 2006 Chris was appointed by the Mayor and Town Council to the Town of Mount Pleasant Board of Zoning Appeals. The Board of Zoning Appeals has three primary functions. The Board hears appeals for relief from the requirements of the zoning code. Second, the Board hears appeals from official administrative interpretations of the zoning code. Finally, the Board may grant approval for Special Exceptions. The Board acts in a quasi-judicial capacity and must base its decisions on findings of fact and conclusions of law.

In June 2006 Chris graduated from Leadership Charleston a year-long program for professionals that analyzes issues that impact the Charleston region while focusing on fundamental leadership principles. Chris is one of only 54 Charleston area professionals that graduated from this leadership program.

 

Chris obtained his juris doctorate cum laude from the Northern Illinois University College of Law. Following his graduation, he relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico and began his career as a trial lawyer and litigator practicing in the defense of personal injury cases and workers compensation matters. Chris is a member of the New Mexico and South Carolina bar associations, and is a New Mexico Supreme Court board certified specialist in workers compensation law for the state of New Mexico.

 

Chris graduated from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor degree in finance, and minors in political science and economics. He graduated with high distinction, finishing near the top of his class. As an underclassman, Chris was elected to the student government for three consecutive years; during his senior year, he was chosen to act as the administration's official liaison to the governing board. Chris also played rugby for four years while in college.

 

Chris is married with three children. He lives in Mount Pleasant and enjoys sports, politics and computers.

 

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Areas of Practice

Litigation

Insurance

Personal Injury

Premises Liability

Products Liability

Workers' Compensation

 

Bar Admissions

South Carolina, 2001

U.S. District Court, District of S.C. 2001 New Mexico, 1988

U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 1988

U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico, 1988

 

Education

Northern Illinois University College of Law
Juris Doctorate cum laude, 1988

 

Northern Illinois University College of Business,

Bachelor of Science in Finance with distinction, 1985

 

Honors and Awards

New Mexico Defense Lawyer Association Amicus Curi Award

Certificate of Legal Specialization

New Mexico Board of Legal Specialization in

Workers' Compensation Law

Professional Associations and Memberships

New Mexico Bar

New Mexico Supreme Court Board-Certified

Expert in Workers' Compensation for the state of New Mexico

 

Reported Cases

Connick v. County of Bernalillo,

125 N.M. 119, 957 P.2d 1153, 1998

 

Mieras v. Dyncorp,
122 N.M. 401, 925 P.2d 518, 1996

 

Garnsey v. Concrete Inc. of Hobbs,
122 N.M. 195, 922 P.2d 577, 1996

 

Meeks v. Eddy County Sheriff's Dept.,
118 N.M. 643, 884 P.2d 534m, 1994

 

Twin Mountain Rock v. Ramirez,
117 N.M. 367, 871 P.2d 1373, 1994

 

Baxter v. Gannaway,
113 N.M. 45, 822 P.2d 1128, 1991

 

Douglass v. State, Regulation and Licensing
Dept., 112 N.M. 183, 812 P.2d 1331, 1991

 

Gonzales v. Lovington Public Schools,
109 N.M. 365, 785 P.2d 276, 1989

 

Jojola v. Aetna Life and Cas.,
109 N.M. 365, 785 P.2d 395, 1989