Van Riper & Nies Attorneys - West Palm Beach, FL

Personal Injury | Criminal Defense | Family & Divorce Law | Defense Base Act | Longshore Claims | Civil Litigation

At Van Riper & Nies Attorneys, our West Palm Beach law firm provides experienced, accessible, and results-driven representation across Florida and worldwide. With decades of combined trial experience, our attorneys—Tim Nies, a U.S. Army Ranger Veteran, and Christian Van Riper, a former prosecutor and DCF investigator- deliver strong courtroom advocacy with the personal service of a small, veteran-owned law firm.

We handle a full range of cases, including personal injury, criminal defense, DUI defense, divorce and family law, Defense Base Act claims, Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation claims, and civil litigation. Every client receives direct access to their attorney, including personal cell phone numbers, because we believe accessibility builds trust and strengthens results.

Veteran-Owned and Operated Trial Law Firm

As a veteran-owned law firm, Van Riper & Nies Attorneys is built on discipline, loyalty, and preparation—values our clients can rely on. Tim Nies, a former U.S. Army Ranger with the elite 3rd Ranger Battalion, and Christian Van Riper, a former State Prosecutor and DCF investigator, bring a unique, battle-tested mindset to the courtroom. Their combined experiences allow them to see each case from every angle—strategically, practically, and humanly.

Defense Base Act (DBA) Practice – Worldwide Representation

From our West Palm Beach law office, attorney Tim Nies leads our Defense Base Act (DBA) practice, representing injured civilian contractors working overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Ukraine, Jordan, Syria, Africa, and beyond.

As a Defense Base Act Lawyer and Army Ranger Veteran, Tim brings firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by defense contractors and their families. Before representing injured workers, he served as an insurance defense trial lawyer, giving him deep insight into how DBA insurance carriers—like AIG, CNA, Allied World, and Starr Indemnity—evaluate and fight claims.

Tim represents injured civilian contractors in all aspects of Defense Base Act litigation before the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ), including:

• Filing and litigating DBA claims under the U.S. Department of Labor
• Preparing LS-7 Position Statements, LS-18 Pre-Hearing Statements.
• Securing medical benefits and disability compensation (TTD, TPD, PTD)
• Conducting DBA mediations nationwide to negotiate strong, fair DBA settlements
• Ensuring prompt medical authorization and fair Average Weekly Wage (AWW) calculations

Tim’s clients include U.S. and foreign nationals injured while working for military contractors overseas. He handles cases involving orthopedic injuries, neurological trauma, PTSD, depression, and other psychological conditions resulting from exposure to war-zone dangers and terrorist attacks.

As both a Ranger Veteran and a DBA trial lawyer, Tim combines empathy with tenacity—fighting for injured contractors to receive their rightful compensation, medical care, and respect.

Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) Practice

In addition to DBA claims, Van Riper & Nies represents injured maritime and dockside workers under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) throughout Florida and the United States. Attorney Tim Nies handles Longshore Act cases involving:

• Longshoremen, stevedores, and ship repair workers
• Port, dock, and harbor employees
• Maritime construction and terminal operations workers
• Offshore and shipyard injury cases

We represent workers in disputes involving average weekly wage calculations, medical authorizations, vocational evaluations, and settlement mediation before the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) and OALJ.

Tim’s past experience as an insurance defense attorney provides clients with a distinct advantage. He knows how to counter insurance company strategies and maximize settlements for injured maritime workers and their families.

Our firm’s Longshore practice includes representation for clients injured in Port Everglades, Port of Palm Beach, Port Canaveral, Port Miami, and throughout the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.

Personal Injury & Accident Law – West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyers

Our West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys represent clients injured in auto accidents, truck and motorcycle crashes, slip and fall incidents, construction accidents, maritime injuries, negligent security, medical malpractice and wrongful death cases.

Attorney Tim Nies, having defended insurance companies before founding this firm, knows how insurers evaluate risk, negotiate settlements, and defend claims. He uses that insider knowledge to build cases that recover the full value of our clients’ losses.

We fight to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, future medical care, and loss of earning capacity.

Common injury cases include:

• Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
• Slip and fall and premises liability
• Boating and jet-ski accidents
• Construction site injuries
• Wrongful death claims
• Traumatic brain and spinal injuries

Criminal Defense & DUI Defense – Former Prosecutor Fighting for You

Attorney Christian Van Riper leads our criminal defense practice, representing clients charged with felonies, misdemeanors, DUI, and probation violations in Palm Beach County and throughout Florida.

As a former State Prosecutor, Christian understands how cases are built and prosecuted—and how to strategically dismantle them. He provides aggressive, proactive defense for clients facing:

• DUI and DWI charges
• Domestic violence accusations
• Drug possession and trafficking
• Theft, fraud, and burglary charges
• Violent crimes, including assault, battery, and robbery
• Juvenile offenses and probation violations

Christian provides clients with his personal cell number and is available after hours for urgent criminal matters. His prior work as a DCF investigator also helps him navigate sensitive cases involving family or dependency issues tied to criminal allegations.

Divorce & Family Law – Compassionate Guidance, Skilled Advocacy

Our West Palm Beach divorce and family law practice, led by attorneys Christian Van Riper and Tim Nies, helps clients navigate the emotional and financial complexities of divorce, custody, and child support.

Our family law team handles:

• Contested and uncontested divorce
• Child custody and time-sharing
• Child support and alimony
• Paternity and modifications
• Domestic violence injunctions
• Relocation and dependency matters

Christian’s background as a DCF investigator gives him valuable insight into child welfare, making him an effective advocate for parents and children alike.

Civil Litigation & Business Law

Van Riper & Nies also represents individuals and small businesses in civil litigation, contract disputes, property conflicts, and commercial claims. Our attorneys combine trial experience with efficient case management to minimize costs while achieving favorable results.

Accessibility & Client Commitment

Our attorneys understand that emergencies don’t follow business hours. That’s why every client has direct cell phone access to their attorney. We maintain close communication, provide regular updates, and ensure clients are fully informed about every aspect of their case.

Our approach is simple: listen carefully, investigate thoroughly, litigate, and act decisively. Whether the case involves a catastrophic injury, a serious criminal charge, or a complex DBA claim, we leave no stone unturned in pursuing justice.

Offices and Contact

Van Riper & Nies Attorneys, P.A.

801 Northpoint Parkway, Suite 375

West Palm Beach, FL 33407

📞 (561) 948-5588

🌐 www.vanriperandnies.com

Additional Florida Offices:

• Stuart, FL – 900 SE Ocean Blvd, Suite 140-E | (772) 283-8712
• Delray Beach, FL – 55 SE 2nd Ave | (561) 894-9862
• Boca Raton, FL – 9825 Marina Blvd, Suite 100A | (561) 948-5589
• Deerfield Beach, FL – 10 Fairway Dr, Suite 139 | (954) 369-0776