We’ve always believed that if we work hard, and do our best with integrity and passion, the results will speak for themselves. And so they have.
Over the past 30 years, our success in court and at the negotiating table has earned us many referrals and new clients. While we’ve been doing our best work for clients, our peers have taken note, and nominated us for some of the highest honors in the field of law, regionally and nationally. We are proud of the strong reputation Nichols Zauzig has built.
But it’s the people we do our best work for, day in and day out, whose opinions matter most. Many of them have taken the time to show their gratitude with online reviews. Their satisfaction is the truest measure of the work we do.
We invite you to learn more about us through the words of our clients, and through the awards our peers and the legal profession have bestowed. Meanwhile, we will keep working hard, doing our best with integrity and passion.
We’ve assembled the best team
Tier 1 Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms
Since 2010, Nichols Zauzig has been named a Tier One law firm, limited to top 14% firms nationwide, by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®.
American College of Trial Lawyers
Limited to the top 1% of lawyers in any state or province in North America.
Charles J. Zauzig, inducted 2018
U.S. News – Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year
Only one lawyer in each practice area and metropolitan area is honored annually as the “Lawyer of the Year” by receiving the highest overall voting averages and peer feedback in that specialty and location, in our case the Washington D.C. metropolitan region.
Charles J. Zauzig – Personal Injury Litigation, Plaintiff – 2024, 2019 and 2014; Medical Malpractice Law, Plaintiff – 2025, 2018, 2016 and 2011.
U.S. News – Best Lawyers® The Best Lawyers in America
As voted by their peers, attorneys are annually selected to be included in The Best Lawyers in America listing for the Washington D.C. area.
Charles J. Zauzig, since 2006
Paul F. Nichols, since 2006
Cassandra Chin, since 2020
Claire Keena, since 2021
Melissa Ray, since 2022
Matthew Davis, since 2023, “Ones to Watch”
American College of Family Trial Lawyers
Limited to the top 100 family law attorneys in the United States, as nominated and voted on by members of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
Cassandra Chin, since 2019
Washingtonian Magazine Top Lawyers
As voted by their peers, attorneys are selected bi-annually as the Washington D.C. area’s top legal talent in 21 practices areas
Charles J. Zauzig, Cassandra Chin, Paul F. Nichols and Melissa Ray.
Northern Virginia Magazine Top Lawyers
Based on recommendations from their peers in Northern Virginia, about 75 attorneys in various practice areas are named annually.
Chuck Zauzig and Paul Nichols, since 2008
Super Lawyers
Five percent of Virginia attorneys are selected as Super Lawyers annually, based on peer evaluations and independent evaluations.
Charles J. Zauzig, since 2006
Paul Nichols, since 2006
Cassandra Chin, since 2016
Melissa Ray, since 2020, 2013-14
Claire Keena, since 2020
Andrew Taylor, since 2021
Super Lawyers Rising Star
Each year, 2.5 percent of lawyers practicing 10 years or less in Virginia are selected to receive this honor.
Cassandra Chin, 2012-2016
Melissa Ray, 2008, 2011-2013
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Fellowship requires peer review, testing and being recognized by the bench and bar in his/her jurisdiction as a leading practitioner in matrimonial law.
Paul Nichols and Cassandra Chin
Martindale Hubbell AV Rated Preeminent
Qualifying attorneys earn one of three levels of Peer Review Ratings® based on evaluations by other members of the bar and the judiciary in the United States. Preeminent is the highest level, achieved by 2% of attorneys nationally.
Charles J. Zauzig and Paul F. Nichols
