Law Offices of Van Riper and Nies Attorneys

02/18/2026

Van Riper & Nies Attorneys — Local Martin County Experience.

When you need legal representation, choosing a local law firm matters. At Van Riper and Nies Attorneys, P.A., we are proud to serve our community from our office on SE Ocean Boulevard, just about a mile from the Martin County Courthouse in the heart of Stuart.

We are a veteran-owned, client-focused law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals and families throughout our area. Whether you need help with criminal defense, family law, or personal injury, our team brings real courtroom experience, local knowledge, and personalized attention to every case.

Why Choosing a Local Law Firm Makes a Difference
Hiring a local law firm gives you advantages that out-of-town firms may not be able to replicate:

✔️ Knowledge of local courts and procedures
✔️ Established relationships and courtroom familiarity
✔️ Face-to-face accessibility when you need answers rather than only by telephone
✔️ Attorneys who understand the community and its values

Criminal Defense & Family Law Representation:

Attorney Christian Van Riper leads our criminal defense and family law practice. A former prosecutor in this judicial circuit, he understands how cases are built from both sides of the courtroom. Clients appreciate his:
• Strategic courtroom skill
• Straightforward communication
• Consistent accessibility
• Deep roots in the community as a near lifelong Stuart resident
From criminal charges to complex family matters, Christian brings practical experience and steady guidance when clients need it most.

Personal Injury & Maritime Injury Advocacy:

Attorney Tim Nies, a veteran of the U.S. Army Rangers, is a personal injury attorney since 2001. His practice focuses on helping people rebuild their lives after serious accidents, including:
• Vehicle accidents
• Premises liability cases
• Maritime and boating injuries
• Personal watercraft accidents
• Longshore and related injury claims

Tim is known for fighting hard for his clients, having strong courtroom knowledge, and staying accessible throughout the legal process, because clients deserve clear answers and confident representation. Tim is also a former insurance company trial attorney and knows how insurance companies litigate cases.

A Veteran-Owned Firm That Puts Clients First:

At Van Riper & Nies Attorneys, we believe legal representation should feel personal. We are not a call-center operation; we are your local advocates. Every case matters, and every client deserves direct access to their attorney. When you call our law firm, you will speak with an attorney for free.

If you are looking for trusted legal representation in criminal defense, family law, or personal injury in the Treasure Coast, our trial attorneys are here to help.

📍 Conveniently located on SE Ocean Boulevard in Stuart
⚖️ Experienced courtroom advocates
🤝 Local, accessible, and committed

Call Van Riper & Nies Attorneys today at 772-283-8712 to schedule a free consultation.

01/30/2026

⚓ Florida Longshoremen: Injured on the Job?
Working at a port is demanding and dangerous, and injuries happen fast. If you were hurt at a Florida port, you may be covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), a federal law that provides medical care and wage-loss benefits for injured maritime workers.

My latest article explains who qualifies, how Longshore compensation is calculated, what benefits are available, and why getting legal guidance early helps protect your claim when Longshore insurance companies push back.

🔗 Read the full article here:

Florida Longshore Workers' Compensation Lawyer and Army Ranger Veteran, Tim Nies, helping injured maritime workers secure Longshore benefits

12/23/2025

If you or a loved one face an unexpected legal emergency over the holidays, Van Riper & Nies Attorneys at Law is here to help.

Local criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor Christian Van Riper is available 24/7, to protect your rights in Martin and St. Lucie Counties. Whether you need assistance with a DUI or any criminal charge, we provide the immediate, experienced representation you need when it matters most. We are a veteran-owned law firm and offer discounts for all military veterans charged with criminal offenses.

⚖️ Available Day or Night
📍 Serving Stuart, Port St. Lucie, and surrounding areas.
📞 Call us anytime at 772-283-8712 or visit our Criminal Defense website for more information:

12/20/2025

Facing criminal charges in Port St. Lucie is stressfull and having an experiend local criminal defense lawyer is important. This new article explains what to look for in a Port St. Lucie Criminal Lawyer, including why local experience and former prosecutor insight can make a difference. A quick, helpful read for anyone needing Port St. Lucie criminal defense. Call for free 24/7.

🔗 Read more here:

Port St. Lucie Criminal Lawyer providing aggressive, experienced criminal defense in St. Lucie County. Former prosecutor. Veteran discounts

12/03/2025

DUI Charges on the Treasure Coast? Here’s What You Need to Know.

We just published a new guide breaking down the DUI penalties specific to Martin and St. Lucie County, Florida including what happens after a first DUI, when charges become a felony, and how local prosecutors approach these cases.

If you or someone you know has been arrested for DUI in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Palm City, Jensen Beach, or Hobe Sound, this article may be helpful to you.

Our DUI defense attorney, Christian Van Riper, a former St. Lucie County prosecutor, explains what to expect as well as the penalties for different levels of DUIs.

👉 Read the full article here: https://vanriperandnies.com/dui-penalties-in-martin-and-st-lucie-county/

If you need help now, call us at (772) 283-8712. We’re here for you on the Treasure Coast.

Call St Lucie and Martin County DUI Defense Attorney, Christian Van Riper, 24/7 to discuss DUI Penalties in Martin and St Lucie County, FL

11/25/2025

Holiday DUI enforcement is here, and this year, the consequences are tougher than ever.

Police across Martin and St. Lucie Counties are increasing checkpoints and patrols from now through New Year’s, and Florida’s new law makes refusing a breath, blood, or urine test a criminal charge.

As a former prosecutor, Christian Van Riper knows how quickly these cases escalate, especially during the holidays from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. If you or someone you know is stopped or arrested, getting experienced legal help right away is critical.

We answer our phones 24/7. Call 772-283-8712.

Read more:
👉

Call Treasure Coast DUI Defense lawyer 24/7 including over the holidays when law enforcement increases DUI patrols and DUI checkpoints

11/20/2025

💼 Considering a divorce in the Treasure Coast area?

Our latest guide with Christian Van Riper of Van Riper & Nies Attorneys walks you through the entire process in St. Lucie County, from the decision to file, to the judge signing the final judgment.
Christian draws on his experience as a former trial prosecutor and Florida DCF investigator to make this complex journey clearer and less stressful.
📍 Veteran-owned firm — free consultations available.
Check out the full article here: https://vanriperandnies.com/guide-to-a-less-stressful-divorce-in-st-lucie-county/

A clear guide to a less stressful divorce in St Lucie County. Learn the steps, tips, and how attorney Christian Van Riper can help protect your future.

11/19/2025

Experienced Stuart & PSL Attorneys for Personal Injury, Criminal Defense & Family Law

At Van Riper & Nies Attorneys, you get seasoned judgment, detailed preparation, and unwavering representation. We handle injury cases, criminal charges, and family law matters with the skill and focus clients deserve.

Tim Nies is a U.S. Army Ranger veteran and former insurance defense trial attorney who uses his unique experience to stand up to insurance companies and fight for his injured clients.

Christian Van Riper is a former prosecutor and DCF investigator who understands how cases are built and how families are affected, giving clients steady guidance in difficult moments.

Clients choose our firm for:
✔ Trial-ready preparation
✔ Direct access to your attorney
✔ Clear, consistent communication
✔ A client-first approach grounded in professionalism

If you or someone you care about needs help with an injury claim, criminal charge, or family law issue, contact Van Riper & Nies Attorneys today at 772-283-8712. We’re ready to step in and protect your rights. As a veteran-owned law firm, we offer discounts for all criminal defense and family law matters to all U.S. military veterans.

11/18/2025

When Life Gets Complicated, Experienced Attorneys Make the Difference.

At Van Riper & Nies Attorneys, we bring real experience, real preparation, and real commitment to every case: personal injury, family law, and criminal defense.

Tim Nies, who leads our personal injury practice, is a veteran of the U.S. Army Rangers (3rd Ranger Battalion) and a former insurance-defense trial attorney. Since 2001, Tim has handled complex injury claims on both sides of the aisle, from auto accidents and medical malpractice to premises liability, maritime injury, and product-defect cases. His years defending insurance companies give him rare insight into how they evaluate, litigate, and attempt to limit claims. Today, he uses that knowledge to fight for the injured and level the playing field for his clients.

Christian Van Riper, a lifelong member of the Stuart–Palm City community, leads our Stuart Criminal Defense and Family Law practice. As a former prosecutor and former DCF investigator, Christian brings a deep understanding of how prosecutors build cases and how families are affected during criminal, divorce, and dependency matters. That experience allows him to guide clients through some of the most stressful moments of their lives with clarity and strength.

What sets our firm apart isn’t only our backgrounds, it’s our approach.

We are known for:

✔ Trial-ready preparation on every case
✔ Direct attorney access where our clients have our cell phone number
✔ Clear communication
✔ A mission-focused commitment to protecting our clients and their families

If you or someone you care about needs help with a personal injury claim, a criminal charge, or a family law matter, we are here to stand with you and fight for you.

Van Riper & Nies Attorneys, P.A.
Veteran-owned. Driven by preparation. Focused on results.

11/16/2025

Treasure Coast friends — important update for anyone who’s ever been in a crash.

We’ve just published a new article on our website titled “Stuart FL Car Accident Lawyer” that breaks down what you must know if you’ve been injured in a car wreck. Here’s a quick peek at what you’ll learn:

The key deadlines for filing a lawsuit under Florida law, and how missing them can cost you your claim.

How Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule works (yes, you can still recover even if you’re partly at fault under Florida law).

Why the “14-day rule” for PIP (Personal Injury Protection) medical treatment matters, and what happens if you ignore it.

Why hiring a local, experienced lawyer who knows the roads, courts, and insurance tactics right here in Martin & St. Lucie Counties makes a difference.

👉 If you or someone you care about has been injured in a car accident in the Stuart / Treasure Coast area, take a moment to read this article. It’s built to help you understand your rights before you talk to an insurance company or decide how to act.

🔗 Read the article here:

Call our Stuart FL Car Accident Lawyer, Tim Nies, a former car insurance defense attorney and Army Ranger Veteran for free day or night.

11/14/2025

Paternity cases in Florida can directly affect a parent’s rights and a child’s future. Our new article breaks down how paternity is established and why experienced legal guidance matters in these sensitive cases. A quick, helpful read for any parent navigating this process.

Read more: https://vanriperandnies.com/paternity-litigation-in-florida/

Paternity Litigation in Florida involves establishing rights, support, and time-sharing. Van Riper & Nies Attorneys provides strong family law representation Martin, St. Lucie, Palm Beach and Broward counties.