Charles J. Zauzig

See the cover story about Chuck in the 2020 Virginia Super Lawyers Magazine.

Chuck Zauzig is President of Nichols Zauzig and a specialist and national lecturer in the field of personal injury/medical malpractice. While he started his legal career in criminal defense, he found his legal passion in medical malpractice and personal injury. “These aren’t just cases, they are families that are broken because someone else was careless, and they come to you because they need to try and get back to where they were.”

He established the firm in 1989 to do just that – rebuild a sense of normalcy for families who so desperately need it. “Working with families who have been decimated by catastrophic events, it’s all the catalyst I need to do what I do.” Always a leader by example, he ensures that the entire crew provides incomparable support and legal advocacy for our clients. Our clients become a part of our extended family just as we become a part of theirs.

Mr. Zauzig has been named Lawyer of the Year seven times for the Washington, D.C. area by Best Lawyers®. He was named Lawyer of the Year, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs in 2024, 2019 and 2014. He was named Lawyer of the Year, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs in 2025, 2018, 2016 and 2011. Mr. Zauzig was third among the Top 10 Super Lawyers® in Virginia, for any practice area, according to his peers in 2021. He was among the Top 10 in 2020 and has been repeatedly named among the Top 100 Virginia Super Lawyers in other years.

Mr. Zauzig is a former President of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (VTLA), which honored him in 2017 with their Distinguished Service Award. He is a fellow with the American College of Trial Lawyers, which is limited to the top 1% of lawyers in any state or province in North America. For his commitment to legal teaching and training, the Southern Trial Lawyers awarded Mr. Zauzig with the Professor W. McKinley Smiley, Jr. Lighthouse award in 2013. Mr. Zauzig continues his involvement in law education as a frequent lecturer and teacher for trial lawyers throughout the country.

INSPIRATION

Chuck’s personal passion is surfing. A common misconception is that surfing is an athletic pursuit. The truth is, surfing has a deeper meaning to Chuck. Paddling in the vast ocean and riding a perfect wave puts our small, fragile place in the world in perspective. The true spirit of surfing is about being in harmony with nature, and with oneself. The ocean provides a rich metaphor on life for those willing to take notice.

• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers, (limited to the top 1% of lawyers in any state or province in North America), since 2018
• Lawyer of the Year – Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Washington D.C., The Best Lawyers in America©, 2025, 2018, 2016, 2011
• Lawyer of the Year – Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Washington, D.C., The Best Lawyers in America©, 2024, 2019, 2014
• Distinguished Service Award, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 2017
• Professor W. McKinley Smiley, Jr. Lighthouse Award, Southern Trial Lawyers Association, 2013
• Associate, American Board of Trial Advocates, (limited to lawyers who are lead counsel for 20+ jury trials to a verdict), since 2009
• Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, (by invitation only, after an extremely careful vetting process)
• Virginia Super Lawyers Magazine
• Cover Story-Virginia Super Lawyers Magazine 2020
• Third Among Top 10, Virginia Super Lawyers List, 2021
• Top 10 Virginia Super Lawyers List, 2022, 2021, 2020
• Leader in the Law, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 2015
• Go-To Medical Malpractice Lawyer, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 2022
• Top Lawyer, Medical Malpractice/Personal Injury-Plaintiff, Washingtonian Magazine, annually since 2007
• Top 100 Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers List, 2009, 2013 and since 2019
• Top 100: Virginia Super Lawyers List, since 2019
• Super Lawyer, Washington D.C. and Virginia, annually since 2006
• The Best Lawyers in America©, Medical Malpractice Law-Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs, annually since 2006
• Top Lawyer, Personal Injury Plaintiff: Medical Malpractice, Northern Virginia Magazine, annually since 2010
• Martindale/Hubbell A/V Preeminent Attorney rating
• Top Rated Legal Leader – Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Wall Street Journal, 2015
• Arthur W. Sinclair Professionalism Award, Prince William County Bar Association, 2019

To see the full list of over 100 presentations and publications, download Chuck’s Curriculum Vitae.

Selected Presentations:

“Credibility in the Fake News Era: Relaying Facts through Demonstratives,” Education Seminar, American Association for Justice Weekend with the Stars, December 2017, New York, NY

“Mastering the Medicine: Birth Trauma and Medical Negligence Seminar,” Moderator, American Association for Justice, October 2017, Atlanta, GA

“Opening Statements,” Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Trial from Start to Finish seminar, 2017 – Richmond, VA

“Using Demonstrative Evidence to Prove Damages,” American Association of Justice Annual Convention, 2017, Boston, MA

“Decision Making and Errors in the Emergency Room Seminar,” American Association of Justice Winter Convention, 2017, Austin, TX

William & Mary Law School Instructor, Medical Malpractice: Motions, Strategies used During Pretrial, Strategies to Win a Case, February 2016, Williamsburg, VA

“Critically Thinking Your Case Before Suit,” Southern Trial Lawyers Association Annual Conference, 2015, New Orleans, LA

Selected Articles:

“How to Dismantle the Defense,”  TRIAL Magazine, American Association of Justice, August 2017

“Tensions and Expert Witnesses,”  TRIAL Magazine, American Association of Justice, October 2013

“Jury Instructions: Too little too late,?” The Journal, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, January 2011

“No Quarter Given,”  Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Law Letter, March 2008

“Black Like Me,”  Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Law Letter, November 2007

To see the full list of over 100 presentations and publications, download Chuck’s Curriculum Vitae.

“I appreciate all the kindness and caring you showed for me. I was in awe watching you and Chuck in action. I would never want to be opposite you guys.” – Client thank you note

“Thank you for all you did to help us reach a successful settlement. Sincere thanks for a job well done.” – Client thank you note

“For the last two and a half years, you and your team have taken the time to listen to us, guide us and helped provide clarity when things made little sense. Our questions were always met with the highest level of professionalism and honesty and you continually kept me informed of any changes with your undivided attention. Thank you for being sensitive to my needs, working alongside my uncle, and for taking the time to understand our family’s cultural variations. I could not have asked for better legal counsel. With gratitude,”  – Note from a former medical malpractice client