Our Longshore Attorneys

Tim Nies

Tim is an experienced maritime litigator.  Before he was a plaintiff's maritime injury attorney, Tim was a senior casualty attorney for Marshall Dennehey, the largest insurance defense firm in the United States. In this capacity, Timothy litigated multiple cases on behalf of Fortune 500 companies. Tim was also an attorney with McIntosh Sawran, a well-known admiralty and maritime law firm in South Florida. Tim's unique and valuable experience in defense litigation, and from years of working for insurance companies, puts him in an excellent position to now litigate cases against large insurance companies and national corporations. 

Tim is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad Law Center and a former U.S. Army Ranger with the elite 75th Ranger Regiment.

Tim's practice includes the prosecution of maritime injury claims, Defense Base Act claims, and Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation claims. 

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

Tim may be reached at 561-948-5588 or 772-283-8712 or by email at tim@vanriperandnies.com.

Christian Van Riper

Christian is a skilled trial attorney. He is a former Florida State Attorney, where he tried serious felony cases for the people of Florida. Christian did so well as a prosecutor that he was moved up from the Misdemeanor to the Felony Division within 7 months of being hired by the State Attorney's Office. His experience trying complex cases before Florida juries sets him apart from other maritime attorneys in Florida. While in law school, Christian was selected, based on his high grades and skill, to be a law clerk for the Florida Supreme Court. In this capacity, he worked for Supreme Court Justices on complex cases.

Christian graduated with Honors from Stetson University College of Law. 

Christian's practice includes the defense of boating under the influence charges, and prosecution of maritime injury claims, boating injury claims, and Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation claims. 

In addition to the Florida Bar, Tim is admitted to the Federal Bar for the Southern District of Florida. 

Christian may be reached at 561-948-5588 or 772-283-8712.