Amelia Nickles

Amelia Nickles

For more than 25 years, my work in Family Law has focused on helping individuals and families navigate conflict with clarity and respect. My practice spans both New York and New Jersey, and today I serve as a Mediator and Collaborative Attorney supporting couples with prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, separation and divorce agreements, and post-judgment matters. I have also worked with clients in the fields of education, business, and religion to help resolve and work through conflict.

My background includes years as a litigation attorney, representing clients throughout the court process and negotiating settlements. My first-hand knowledge of family (and other) litigation compelled me to pursue alternative ways of helping families in conflict. Courts are simply not equipped to help families find mutually beneficial resolutions and to move forward in a way that does not irreparably damage relationships.

Because of my experience in resolving family issues in a variety of settings, I am able to guide separating or divorcing couples through the challenging process of going from one household to two and all the issues that arise as a result.  I also enjoy working with couples preparing for marriage to create thoughtful prenuptial agreements—documents that reflect their current needs while offering a roadmap for handling future issues together.

My belief has always been that people, not judges, are best positioned to make decisions about their own lives and families. The understanding-based, problem-solving approach I utilize helps each person identify their needs, values, and priorities, and then apply that understanding to address issues in a constructive and informed way. My role is to guide that process and support both parties in moving forward with confidence and purpose.

Ongoing learning is an essential part of my professional life. My academic background includes a B.A. from Georgetown University, a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law, a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration from New York University, with coursework at the Stern School of Business, and a Graduate Certificate in Restorative Practices from the International Institute of Restorative Practices (IIRP). Additional IIRP coursework certifies me to train restorative practitioners. Volunteer experiences—leading restorative circles for youth offenders in partnership with the Maplewood Police Department, training others in restorative work, and serving as a CASA for a child in foster care—continue to deepen and enrich my practice.

I am an active member of the New Jersey State Bar Association (Family Law Section), the New York State Bar Association (Family Law Section), the New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators, the New York State Council of Divorce Mediators, the Association for Conflict Resolution of Greater New York, and the Collaborative Divorce Association of New Jersey.  I am licensed to practice in both New York and New Jersey.

Organizational Affiliations

I am an active member of the following professional organizations that allow me to stay current with the law, as well as to continually update my skills in Mediation, Collaborative Law, Restorative Practices and Conflict Management:

• The Center for Understanding in Conflict (formerly the Center for Mediation and Law)

• New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators (NJAPM)

• New York State Council for Divorce Mediation (NYSCDM)

• The Family Law and ADR Sections of the New York State Bar

• The Family Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar

• The Collaborative Divorce Association of North Jersey (CDANY)

• The International Association for Conflict Management (IACM)

• Association for Conflict Resolution — Greater New York (ACR-GNY)

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