Christopher “Chris” Neilson was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1954. He began his career in Law Enforcement in 1972, just out of high school, and served as a Police Cadet with the City of Hollywood, Florida Police Department until 1974, while he earned his Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice at Broward Community College, while also working full time (receiving Academic Honors of being named to the Dean’s List and President’s List).
In 1974, at the age of 19, Mr. Neilson entered the Broward County Police Academy, and in November 1974 became the “Outstanding Graduate” of the 48th Class, being first in his class both academically and in firearm qualification. Christopher was one of the youngest police officers in the State of Florida, and served as a Police Officer for the City of Hollywood until 1979. In 1976, while working full time, Christopher earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Behavioral Sciences at the Nova University Campus of the New York Institute of Technology, graduating “cum laude”. In 1979, while still employed full time, he earned his Master of Science Degree in Human Resources Management, at Biscayne College, now St. Thomas University, in Miami, Florida, and graduated with a 3.66 grade point average. He was also a Police Instructor and Police Academy Class Advisor during this time, and served in numerous capacities in most divisions of the Police Department.
Mr. Neilson then formed an Investigative Agency, and has performed countless Accident and Death Investigations in Civil Law, Criminal Law, and Family Law cases for numerous Law Firms and others. Such matters include Products Liability cases and Personal Injury and Wrongful Death cases, including: Airplane, Animal Bite, Automobile, Bicycle, Boating, Bus, Construction, Dog Bite, Electrocution, Fire, Firearm, Gun, Hit and Run, Hot Air Balloon, Locating Missing Persons and Property, Motorcycle, Pedestrian, Scuba Diving, Shooting, Slip and Fall, Swimming, Train, etc.
Mr. Neilson then entered Nova University Center for the Study of Law, and received his Juris Doctor in 1984, graduating 26th in a class of 74. At Nova Law School, he earned the Dean’s Book Award in Federal Income Tax in 1982, as well as the Dean’s Book Award in Professional Responsibility in 1982. He later opened his Law Offices in Fort Lauderdale, offering a General Law Practice, including Criminal Defense, Juvenile Law, Family Law, and Personal Injury and Accident cases.
From 1992-1993, Mr. Neilson served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Florida, working in the Consumer Litigation / Economic Crime Section. He also represented the State of Florida in Alternative Dispute Resolution Mediation proceedings in settlement of insurance claims for victims of homes destroyed in Hurricane Andrew. From 1994-1998, he served as Judicial Staff Attorney for the 17th Judicial Circuit, assisting Circuit Court Civil, Criminal, Family, and Juvenile Judges with all pre-trial and trial through post judgment matters, as well as Appeals from County Court.
Since 1998, Mr. Neilson has offered a general practice of law from his Hollywood Law Office, including Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Civil Litigation, Family Law, Criminal Defense, Juvenile Cases, and Legal Counsel on most legal matters. Additionally, he served on the Publication Committee of the Broward County Bar Association “Barrister.” Chris was also a member of the American Inns of Court, an organization of Lawyers and Judges designed to educate and mentor young lawyers and to and improve the legal profession.