Mr. Gary L. Nickelson

Gary L. Nickelson has practiced family law exclusively for more than 50 years, including cases dealing with high-net-worth divorce, complex property division, business valuations, and closely held businesses. He has been president of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, the chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar, the director of the State Bar of Texas, and both the Texas Chapter and national organization president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Gary is also Board Certified in family law, by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

In 2006, Gary received the Sam Emison Award, one of the most coveted awards in Texas family law. This award is presented each year to a highly distinguished family law practitioner or judge who has shown significant commitment and made considerable contributions to the practice of family law in the State of Texas.

Gary is also a diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, which is by invitation only and limited to 100 family law attorneys nationwide.

In 2003, Gary won the State Bar of Texas’s highest and most prestigious award, the Dan Price Award, given to a person who has had a significant impact on the Family Law Section for the past year.

Gary has been named a “Texas Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters, as published in Texas Monthly magazine since 2003. Having worked on cases related to high-net-worth divorce, complex property, business valuations, and closely held businesses, Gary is an experienced Fort Worth divorce lawyer you can trust with even the most complicated divorce. Contact him today for a consultation at our Fort Worth family law office.

Honors & Awards

Named the Best Lawyers© Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Dallas/Fort Worth, Best Lawyers, 2025

Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2024 – 2026

Recipient of the Texas Bar Foundation Dan Rugeley Price Memorial Award, 2024

Top Attorney, Fort Worth Magazine, 2024

“AV” Preeminent® rating, Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory

Named to the 500 Leading Family Lawyers List, LawDragon, 2024 – 2026

Thomson Reuters, Texas Super Lawyer, 2023 – 2025

360West, Top Attorneys List, 2023

Recipient of the Pat Nestor Innovation in Professional Development Award, 2018

Recipient of the Family Law Hall of Legends Award, 2016

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America as a Top Family Law Attorney, since inception, 2003 to present

Listed in Fort Worth, Texas Magazine as a Top Family Law Attorney, 2007 to present

Named in Top 100 Texas Super Lawyers by Texas Monthly Magazine, Several years

Listed as a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine, since inception, 2003 to present

Recipient of the Judge Sam Emison Award, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2006

Recipient of the Dan R. Price, Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, 2003

Recipient of the Eva Barnes Award, Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, 2002

Fellow of the Year, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1998

Co-Course Director, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law Memphis, TN, 2007

Co-Director of Continuing Legal Education, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1997-1998

Course Director of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Texas Chapter Retreat, San Antonio, Texas, 1999

Co-Course Director of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Texas Chapter Retreat, San Antonio, Texas, 1996-1998

Chair, Pro Bono Committee of the Family Law Council, State Bar of Texas, 1995-1997

Course Director 27th Annual Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Fort Worth Texas, 2004

Course Director 26th Annual Advanced Family Law Seminar, San Antonio, Texas, 2000

Co-Course Director 22nd Annual Advanced Family Law Seminar, San Antonio, Texas, 1996

Co-Course Director of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists 9th Annual Trial Institute, New Orleans, LA, 1995

Co-Founder and Chairman of the Family Law Golf Association, Since 1993

Order of Barristers, 1972

International Law Moot Court Competition-University of Texas School of Law, 1972

Presentations

Course Director and Speaker, Mastering Your Practice: Family Law, February 7th – 9th, 2019

Speaker and author, “The Lawyer’s Creed Litigation” Advanced Trial Skills for Family Law Lawyers, New Orleans, Louisiana, December 13th – 14th, 2018

Speaker, 50/50 Possession, San Antonio, Texas Presented with Benjamin Albritton and David Farr 44th Annual Advance Family Law, August 13-16th, 2018

Speaker, Omni Fort Worth Hotel, Fort Worth, Texas Presented State Bar Update, April 25th, 2018

Speaker, 1st Annual Advanced Child Protection Law Course, Jury Charge Issues State Bar of Texas, Austin, Texas, April 20th, 2018

Co-Course Director, Mastering Your Practice: Family Law & Estate Planning and Probate, September 14-15th Texas Bar CLE, Horseshoe Bay Resort, 2017

Speaker and author, “Effective Advocacy in Discovery”, San Antonio, Texas Co-Authored with Chris Nickelson 43rd Annual Advance Family Law, August 7-10, 2017

Speaker, Tarrant County Probate Bar Association, Petroleum Club Presented State Bar Update, 2017

Speaker, NE TCBA Luncheon, Colleyville, Texas Presented State Bar Update, 2017

Speaker, Arlington Bar Association, Arlington, Texas Presented State Bar Update, 2017

Moderator of Judicial Panel, Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court, Fort Worth, Texas May 16th, 2017, “Pepto Bismol Moments”, 2017

Speaker, Marriage Dissolution April 20th – 21st, 2017, Austin, Presentation of Professionalism, 2017

Course Director and Presenter Masters of Family Law, September 23rd-24th, 2016

Presenter, Advanced Family Law August 1st-4th, 2016, Live Trial Demonstration “Temporary Orders”, 2016

Speaker, Marriage Dissolution April 7th-8th, 2015 Galveston, Presentation of Matters of Family Law, 2016

Speaker and author, “Pepto Bismol Moments Are Reduced to Writing” Co-Authored with Brian L. Webb and Brant M. Webb, 38th State Bar of Texas Advanced Family Law Drafting, Westin Galleria, Dallas, Texas, 2015

Speaker, 20th Annual Course, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, Texas Bar CLE, Denver, CO, 2015

Course Director and Speaker, Matters of Family Law, September 25th-27th Texas Bar CLE, Horseshoe Bay, Texas, 2015

Speaker, State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas “Effective Documents for Temporary Hearings”, 2015

Speaker and author, “Pepto Bismol Moment: What to Do When You Mess Up and How to Save Yourself” Co-Authored with Brian L. Webb and Brant M. Webb, 38th Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute, Dallas, Texas, 2015

Speaker, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 31st Annual TAFLS Trial Institute, New Orleans, LA “Getting Out of the Eye of the Hurricane.”, 2015

Speaker and author, “Effective Documents for the (Efficient) Time Limited Temporary Hearings Orders” Co-Authored with Norma A. Bazan Advanced Family Law Drafting, State Bar of Texas, Dallas, Texas, 2013

Moderator, Making your SAPCR and Spousal Support Case – Temporary Orders (hearing demonstration), 2014

Trial demonstration, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialist, 2014

Speaker and author, “Effective Documents for the (Efficient) Time Limited Temporary Hearings Orders” Co-Authored with Norma A. Bazan Advanced Family Law Drafting, State Bar of Texas, Dallas, Texas, 2013

Webinar Presenter, “What’s Love (Death) Got To Do With It? –Premarital Agreements and Portability” State Bar of Texas, Austin, Texas, 2013

Speaker and author, “Asset Investigation” at New Frontiers in Marital Property State Bar of Texas, Napa, California, 2013

Speaker and author, “Preparing Clients for Custody Evaluation: A Call for Critical Examination” Co – Author with Dr. Johnathan W. Gould, Litigation and Settlement, Washington, D.C., 2013

Speaker and author, “Daubert and the Mosaic of Child Custody Assessment,” AFCC Conference on Advanced Issues in Child Custody: Evaluation, Litigation and Settlement, Washington, D.C., 2013

Moderator, Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, Texas, 2013

Speaker and author, “Handling Your First Divorce Case,” Austin, Texas, 2013

Speaker and author, Advanced Family Law, Houston, Texas; “Welcome to the Future: Child Custody Evaluations”, 2012

Speaker and author, Advanced Family Law, “Predicates”, Houston, Texas, 2012

Speaker and author, Innovations – Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation, “Trial Strategies”, Houston, Texas, 2012

Speaker and author, Advanced Drafting, Dallas, Texas; “New legislation”, 2011

Speaker and author, AAML/ AFCC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; “What Lawyers Can Teach Mental Health Professionals”, 2011

Speaker and author, Advanced Family Law, San Antonio, Texas; “Legislative Update”, 2011

Speaker and author, Marriage Dissolution Institute, Austin, Texas; “Legislative Issues and Resources”, 2011

Speaker and author, 36th Annual Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, Texas “The Art of Negotiation: How to get what you want while making the other side believe you have “given up the farm:””, 2010

Speaker and author, state Bar of Texas Bar Convention, Fort Worth, Texas; “Practicing Family Law for Fun and Profit”, 2010

Speaker and author, Marriage Dissolution Institute, San Antonio, Texas; “Finalizing the Deal: Rule 11 Agreements, Mediated Settlement Agreements and the Importance of Getting Orders Timely Signed”, 2010

Speaker and author, 35th Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, Texas “Equitable Remedies: Getting Out of Traps, messes and Other Problems”, 2009

Speaker and author, 35th Advanced Family Law Course, Family Law Boot Camp, “Temporary Orders”, Dallas, Texas, 2009

Speaker and author, 34th Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, Texas “Professionalism”, 2008

Speaker and author, AICPA-AMML National Conference on Divorce “Maintaining the Chain of (Electronic)Evidence and Spoliation of (Electronic) Evidence”, Las Vegas, NV, 2008

Speaker and author, Kentucky Bar Association, 11th Annual Family Law Seminar “Mediation: Be Prepared”, Louisville, KY, 2007

Speaker and author, Northeast Tarrant County Bar Association, “Effective Preparation and Final Trail of a Suit Affecting the Parent Child Relationship”, 2007

Speaker and author, 33rd Annual Advanced Family Law Course, “How to Get What You Got (In the Decree) Securing and Enforcing The Property Division”, San Antonio, Texas, 2007

Speaker and author, Marriage Dissolution, “The Complex Case”, El Paso, Texas, 2007

Speaker and author, 2007 Ely Family Law Conference, state Bar of Nevada “Temporary Orders and Witness Preparation” “Substance Abuse and Bad Facts in a Custody Case” “Preserving Error at Trial and Top Ten Mistakes at Trial”, 2007

Speaker and author, Ultimate Trial Notebook, Family Law, “Exhibits”, New Orleans, LA, 2006

Speaker and author, Advanced Family Law Seminar, “Hot Tip: Balanced Life”, San Antonio, Texas, 2006

Speaker and author, Advanced Family Law Seminar, San Antonio, Texas “Effective Preparation and Presentation at the Final SAPCR Hearing”, 2006

Speaker and author, South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association Seminar Hilton Head, South Carolina “Practicing Law for Fun and Profit”, 2006

Speaker for Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Boot Camp, “Enhancing the Practice”, Austin, Texas, 2006

Speaker, Family Law with Texas Stars – Pro Bono Seminar, Abilene, Texas “Handling the Custody Case on a Shoestring”, 2006

Speaker and author for Advanced Family Law Drafting, “Using Outside Resources”, San Antonio, Texas, 2005

Co-Moderator on a panel, Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, Texas “Science and Law: What is Best for Children of Divorce?”, 2005

Speaker and author for Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, Texas “Handling the High Dollar Property Case on an Unlimited Budget”, 2005

Speaker and author for Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Galveston, Texas “ABC’s of Trying the Simple or Complex Case”, 2005

Chair and Moderator, Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, Texas Property Trial Demonstration, 2004

Speaker and author, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, “Family Law for Fun and Profit”, Lahaina, HI, 2004

Speaker and author for Advanced Family Law Drafting course, Austin, Texas “Relief is Just an Appeal Away: Drafting with Appeal”, 2003

Speaker and author for Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, Texas “Family Law for Fun and Profit: Practical Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls, and Enjoying Success, Solvency and Sanity in the Practice of Family Law”, 2003

Speaker and author for Marriage Dissolution Seminar, House Texas “Characterization and Tracing on a Budget”, 2003

Speaker and author for Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas, Texas “Mediation: When is it Really Over?”, 2002

Speaker and author for the 16th Annual Trial Institute, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Cancun, Mexico, “Why Am I A Family Law Layers?”, 2002

Speaker, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, Santa Fe, NM “Developing Trial Strategies for the Complicated Property Case”, 2001

Speaker, Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, Texas “Effective Use of Legal Assistants in a Family Law Practice”, 2001

Speaker and author for Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, Texas “Principles of Characterization and Tracing”, 2001

Speaker and author for Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Corpus Christi, Texas “Characterization Reimbursement and Tracing”, 2001

Speaker and author, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, “The Basic Family Law Trial Manual, 2001”, Palm Springs, CA, 2001

Speaker and author, Corpus Christi Bar Association 2001 Family Law Seminar “Temporary Orders”, 2001

Speaker and author, The Ultimate Family Law Trial Notebook, “Temporary Orders”, New Orleans, LA, 2000

Speaker and author, The Fort Worth Chapter TSCPA “Ethics and Privilege Consideration for CPA’s”, 2000

Speaker and author for Marriage Dissolution Seminar, Fort Worth, Texas “Divorce 2000: Taking Care of Your Client and Yourself”, 2000

Speaker and author, Amarillo Bar Association Spring Institute, “Practicing Law for Fun and Profit”, 2000

Speaker, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Kohala, HI “Qualifying or Disqualifying the Psychological Expert Witness Using Daubert Principles”, 2000

Speaker, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, San Diego, CA “Defending Against Exotic Property Division Theories”, 1999

Speaker for Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas Texas “Practicing Law for Fun and Profit”, 1999

Speaker and author for Advanced Family Law Course, Dallas Texas “Characterization and Tracing”, 1999

Speaker and author for Marriage Dissolution Seminar, San Antonio, Texas “The Family Lawyer’s Essential Tool Kit”, 1999

Speaker and author for the 13th Annual Trial Institute, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, “Daubert Examination of a Valuation Expert” Las Vegas, NV, 1999

Speaker and author, 1998 Wining Techniques Seminar, “Expecting the Unexpected”, Houston, Texas, 1998

Speaker and author, 1998 Divorce Conference, Dallas, Texas “Daubert Schmaubert – What the Heck is Daubert?”, 1998

Speaker, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, Santa Fe, New Mexico “Entities and Divorce – Family Limited Partnerships, Business Organizations, Trusts”, 1998

Speaker, Advanced Family Law Course, San Antonio, Texas “Family Law for Fun and Profit: Practical Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls and Enjoying Success, Solvency and Sanity in the Practice of Family Law”, 1998

Speaker and author for Advanced Family Law Course, “Special Problems for Divorcing Professionals and Valuation of Professional Practices”, San Antonio, Texas, 1998

Speaker and author for Marriage Dissolution Seminar “Daubert Issues (Questioning Reliability of the Methodology of Custody Expert, An Asset Valuation Expert, etc.; Motions and Procedures to Attack/Exclude; Defending Such Attacks on Methodology)”, Austin, Texas, 1998

Speaker and author at the 1990 Meeting of the Council of Community Property States “Cohabitant Relationships and Community Property”, Las Vegas, NV, 1998

Speaker and author for 12th Annual Trial Institute, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, “How and When to Oppose a Choice of Managing Conservator”, New Orleans, LA, 1998

Speaker and author for Family Law Art and Advocacy Law Course “Preparation of the Client as a Witness in Temporary Orders Hearing, Depositions and Trial”, Houston, Texas, 1997

Speaker and author for New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, “The Characterization of Punitive Damages”, San Diego, CA, 1997

Speaker and author for Advanced Family Law Course, “Handling a Custody Case Involving Allegations of Sexual Abuse”, San Antonio Texas, 1997

Speaker and author for Marriage Dissolution Seminar, “Practicing Law for Fun and Profit”, Dallas Texas, 1997

Speaker and author for American College of Family Trial Lawyers, “Cross Examination of a Mental Health Professional”, Laguna Nigel, CA, 1997

Speaker and author for the Blackstone Seminar “Relocation: Where can Children Go After Divorce?”, Fort Worth, Texas, 1997

Speaker and author for the Fort Worth Chapter, Texas Society of Certified Public Accounts, “An Overview of the Texas Divorce Process”, 1996

Speaker, New Frontiers in Texas Marital Property Law “Dealing with Special Problems Attendant to Division of Closely Held Businesses”, San Diego, CA, 1996

Speaker and author for Marriage Dissolution Seminar, “Sexual Abuse Allegations and Domestic Relation Proceedings: Practice Guidelines for Attorneys”, Corpus Christi, Texas, 1996

Speaker and author for American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Mid-Winter Meeting, “Practicing Law for Fun and Profit: Practical Tips For Avoiding Pitfalls and Enjoying Success, Solvency and Sanity in the Practice of Family Law”, Koloa, Hawaii, 1996

Speaker and author for the Tarrant County Family Bar Association “Defending Against Enforcement”, 1995

Speaker and author for Advanced Family Law Drafting Course, “Defending Against Enforcement”, Austin, Texas, 1995

Speaker and author for Advanced Family Law Course, “Practicing Law for Fun and Profit”, Dallas, Texas, 1995

Speaker and author for Advanced Family Law Course “Temporary Orders”, Dallas, Texas, 1995

Speaker and author for Marriage Dissolution Seminar, “Trying the Final Trial at the Temporary Hearing”, El Paso, Texas, 1995

Speaker and author for N.E. Tarrant County Bar Association “Family Law Updates”, Fort Worth, Texas, 1995

Speaker and author for Life Lawyering and Pursuit of Happiness Seminar Speaker on Ethics Panel, Galveston, Texas, 1995

Speaker and author for Texas Legal Assistants Division- Family Law Seminar, “Obtaining Child Support Outside the Guidelines”, Dallas, Texas, 1995

Speaker and author for Marriage Dissolution, “Special Child Support Problems (For Net Resources Below $6,000.00 per Month)” South Padre Island, Texas, 1994

Speaker and author for State Bar of Texas, Marriage Dissolution Seminar, “Interesting Cases”, Fort Worth, Texas, 1993

Speaker and author for West Texas Legal Services Family Law Seminar, “The Proper Use of Forms and Form Book”, 1993

Speaker and author for Parker County Bar Association Family Law Seminar, “Interesting Cases”, Weatherford, Texas, 1993

Speaker and author for Tarrant County Lawyers Against Domestic Violence “Drafting of a Protective Order”, Fort Worth, Texas, 1992

Speaker and author for National Business Institute, “Custody and Visitation” Fort Worth, Texas, 1992

Speaker and author for seminars entitled “Family Law” sponsored by Parker County Bar Association, 1992

Presentation to Parker County Bar Association on Protective and Temporary Orders, 1991

Speeches to Fort Worth Chapter Texas Society of CPA’s regarding the legal Requirements of a small business, 1990

Professional Associations

Elected Director– Region 7-A, Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas, 2015 to 2018

Section Representative to the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors, 2013-2015

President, Texas Family Law Foundation, 2010-2012

Member of the Matrimonial Lawyers Network, Since 2002

Life Member of the Texas Family Law Foundation, Since 1999

Member of International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Since 1998

Diplomat of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, Since 1995

Chairman of the District 7A Professional Enhancement Program of the State Bar of Texas, 1996-1998

Member of State Bar of Texas Grievance Committee, 1994-1998

Editor of Family Law Forum, 1994-1997

President, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 2000-2001

President – Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, 1993

Chair, Family Law Council of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, 2001-2002

Family Law Council of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, 1992-2003

President, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Texas Chapter, 1999-2000

President, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, National, 2008-2009

Fellow of the American Academy Matrimonial Lawyers, Since 1992

State Bar of Texas Family Law Practice Manual Revision Committee, 1991-1997

Texas Supreme Court Child Support/ Visitation Guidelines Committee, 1991-1994

College of the State Bar of Texas, Since 1988

Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, Since 1980

Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Since 1984

State Bar of Texas, Since 1972

Tarrant County Bar Association, Since 1973

International Moot Court Team – 2nd in International Competition, 1972

Moot Court Board-Secretary/ Treasurer, 1971-1972

Moot Court Board-University of Texas School of Law, 1970-1972

National Member of the Order of Barristers – University of Texas School of Law, 1972

Member of Trial Advocacy Association – University of Texas School of Law, 1972