Eugene B. Nichols

Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Family Law, Personal Injury

Gene is a Jacksonville native, having grown up in the Avondale area. He graduated from the Episcopal School of Jacksonville, and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Jacksonville University majoring in Psychology and History.

Following college, he traveled to Fort Lauderdale attending Nova Southeastern University and graduated from its law program in 1998. While at Nova, Gene focused his studies on criminal defense, Constitutional law, and trial advocacy.

Upon graduation, Gene began his legal career under the guidance of Lou Frost at the Public Defender’s Office here in Jacksonville. As an Assistant Public Defender, Gene defended hundreds of clients charged with all types of offenses, from DUI to Armed Robbery, taking countless numbers of cases to trial.

Following several years at the Public Defender’s Office, Gene developed a private law practice focusing on civil and criminal litigation. While continuing his representation of criminal clients, Gene expanded his law practice to include the representation of physicians, corporations, and business professionals while with the local firm of Bullock, Childs, Pendley, and Reed, and then with the statewide firm of Wicker Smith.  While at Bullock, Childs Gene first started assisting clients with Family Law matters with the assistance of Stephanie Simmons who was the firm’s family law paralegal.  This is where Stephanie and Gene first developed their friendship that has led to the tremendous growth of the family law practice at Nichols and Pina.

In the early, 2000s, Gene began focusing almost exclusively on DUI defense and substance abuse offenses while working at the law office of David Robbins. In this practice, Gene learned the art of helping people start new beginnings when substance abuse had taken over.  While with Mr. Robbins’ office, Gene also continued to practice civil and commercial litigation, representing local businesses in their various litigation needs. 

In 2012, Gene formed Nichols and Pina with his longtime friend Ted, assisting clients with all forms of criminal, personal injury, and family law issues.

Gene is the father of boy/girl twins who are headed to college.  His wife, Caroline is a Jacksonville native and is a real estate attorney with Landmark Title and Heekin Law. Gene is an active community volunteer, having served the Board of Trustees of St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School for over ten years, and his Church, where he served as a former Vestry Member and legal counsel. Over the years, Gene has been involved with several local philanthropic groups, including the Duval County Teen Court Program, Angels for Allison, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Prisoners of Christ Ministry.  Gene has recently finished serving as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of St. Johns Country Day School and currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Florida Family Law Inns of Court.  He speaks yearly to high school students about the choices and consequences of alcohol, illegal drug use, and the illegal use of cell phones and pictures.  He has been invited  to speak at Florida Coastal School of Law and served several years as an adjunct professor, teaching Advanced Criminal Procedure.  His free time is spent cheering on the Jaguars or spending time cooking for family, friends, and even a few clients on his outdoor patio.