Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
4.9 /5.0
74 Client Reviews
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Nicholas Alexander Halks
also known as Nick Halks, Nick Hawkes
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About Nicholas
Biography
Nicholas Halks is one of the top domestic relations trial attorneys in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, specializing in handling high stakes divorce & child custody litigation. A small sampling of his recent trial victories include:
1.) Winning Sole Legal & Physical Custody for a Mother, andreducing Father's parenting time due to his mentally abusive behavior after a three day highly contested trial;
2.) Winning a 60-40% division of complex assets (international real estate) for a Husband in a Twenty-Year Marriage including Husband retaining his pre-marital retirement assets after a four-day trial,
3.) Winning Physical Custody and disparate division of assets (domestic & international real estate and bullion) for a Mother in an Abusive Marriage after an eight-day trial (Successfully Defended Victory on Appeal);
4.) Winning Physical Custody, Increased Child Support, and Equal Division of Husband's premarital Assets in a Short Term Marriage;
5) Winning $260,000 in damages (including punitive) after a nine-day jury trial in the Superior Court for a woman being sexually harassed by her employer, (Successfully Defended Victory in Appellate Court and Supreme Judicial Court) The appellate case created an exception to the law which enhanced protections for workers suffering from sexual harassment in smaller sized workplaces;
6.) Winning a removal ("relocation") trial where the parties shared physical custody, winning sole physical custody for a Father after a two day trial;
7.) Winning 60% of the marital estate for a Wife who was the victim of adultery in a long-term marriage;
8). Winning a Five-Year Restraining Order and Sole Legal Custody for a Woman the Victim of Physical Abuse;
9.) Settling an Age/Gender Discrimination matter for $407,000
Having conducted approximately seventy civil trials to judgment/verdict, Halks is experienced with litigating a case from start to finish, including defending the victory on appeal. Seven of those trial were appealed by the losing party but Halks sucessfully defended all seven on appeal. Coupled with his high energy, prowess, and oral persuasion skills, Halks is an extremely formidable lawyer, whose reputation for excellence is well known in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk Counties. He has also conducted approximately seventy five (75) restraining order hearings, winning the great majority of same, in order to both protect victims of abuse and vacate false claims utilized by parents to gain advantages in custody matters.
Although Halks is more than capable of winning at trial, he is also a shrewd and skilled negotiator, who is willing to sit down and hammer out an amicable agreement without the need of the Court. A litigator at heart, Mr. Halks enjoys the "Arena," better known as the Courtroom, as that is where he excels based on his superior oral and written communication skills, honed by hard work and experience. Halks is entirely capable of achieving maximum results with or without a battle in a Courtroom.
Halks is the Winner of the AVVO Client's Choice Award for Seven Straight Years, as well as numerous other awards.
He is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, Norfolk Bar Association, Middlesex Bar Association, Lawrence Bar Association, Justinian Law Society of Massachusetts, Newburyport Bar Association.
He is also appointed by the Court as a trained-conciliator to resolve difficult cases for the Middlesex, Norfolk, and Essex Counties.
He received his J.D. from The Massachusetts School of Law, where he was the Editor of the Student Journal, The Verdict, and host of the televised debate show, Final Adjudication. Before graduation, he was the winner of two CALI Awards for Excellence. He earned his B.S. from the University of South Carolina where he attended on academic scholarship. Nicholas is also a graduate of Central Catholic High School, and grew up in nearby Andover, Massachusetts. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, horse riding, tennis, and the outdoors.
Aggressive, Affordable, and Award-Winning Attorney - Boston - Newton - Andover. Call (617) 658-7070
Aggressive, Affordable, and Award-Winning Divorce Attorney - Boston - Newton - Andover
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Divorce and Separation
50%
Criminal Defense
20%
Immigration
20%
Employment and Labor
10%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2021 2020 2019
...
+
5
Licenses
Licensed in Massachusetts for 12 years
State: Massachusetts
Acquired: 2013
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Nicholas Alexander Halks's Reviews
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Showing 66 - 70 of 73 reviews
Posted by Doug | November 05, 2014 | Child Support
Child Support Modification
Attorney Halks assisted me in my child support modification. The flat fee assessed in my case was more than reasonable. He was professional and honest throughout the entire process. He was well prepared for every interaction with the other party and kept me well informed. He presented our argume...
Posted by Stephanie | October 31, 2014 | Child Custody
An attorney to have on YOUR side...
Nick represented me in a removal (moving my minor children out of Massachusetts) case. He was extremely helpful, knowledgeable, and honest with me about my case and my chances for success. I felt comfortable with him immediately and knew he would do an excellent job in representing me, and my child...
Posted by Andrew | October 23, 2014 | Family
Vindication
I want to thank Nick Halks and Jamie James for resolving my case in a manner that was fair (considering Mass guidelines). Nick represented us at the pretrial hearing and saved his best for last! The memorandum he wrote to the court was articulate and obviously thought provoking to the judge. The...
Posted by Pamela M. | September 01, 2014 | Sexual Harassment
Defender for Women in the Workplace
Nicholas exceeded all my expectation. . .including the settlement (Three times what I expected!) and I never had to see my boss again. The pros about Nick are that he really cares about me and my family. I could tell. He was always calm and kind. Like he understood what I was going through. The co...
Posted by Mark | June 19, 2014 | Child Support
Nick Halks: honest, trustworthy and effective
Attorney Halks worked with me on my law team for my child support case. In addition to being friendly and down-to-earth, I found him to be an honest, trustworthy and effective lawyer. Attorney Halks effectively represented me both in the courtroom and during one-on-one negotiations with opposing co...
Nicholas Alexander Halks's Lawyer Endorsements
"Nick is a caring and passionate advocate for his clients and is committed to ensuring the best results possible on each and every one of his cases. Nick has an innate ability to make courtroom advocacy look effortless, both through his skill and dedicated preparation. I highly endorse Nick as he is and is one of the hardest working attorney's I have had the pleasure of working with as an opposing counsel."
"Nicholas is a great family law attorney. I had the distinct pleasure of seeing his legal expertise in action and I would not hesitate to recommend this lawyer to any client in need."
"An excellent lawyer who treats clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism - an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend for future services."
"Simply said, Nicholas is an outstanding family law attorney. Highly recommended!"
"I have had the pleasure of working with Attorney Halks and have always found him to be a great advocate for his clients. He is very thorough and will continue to work a case until the very end. Highly recommended."
"I worked on a case in which Nick was opposing counsel. He was attentive to the case and went the extra mile to resolve a few loose ends. He was responsive and knowledgable. I would recommend him and I endorse this lawyer."
"Nick's primary skill is that he's very good on his feet, a critical skill as a litigator. Being good on your feet as an attorney comes from through preparation and dedication to the client. Nick is a good lawyer to have for any family law or harassment case!"
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Halks and I have worked on opposite sides of a complex domestic relations matter. I have also observed Attorney Halks in court in his zealous advocacy on other matters. Attorney Halks is a strong advocate. He is thoughtful and thorough in his approach to cases. I have observed his ability to advocate for his clients while at the same time approaching challenging matters with compassion, common sense and professionalism. Nicholas Halks is a prepared, knowledgeable and extremely effective litigator yet he is open to constructive settlement negotiations, which is an essential balance for a successful lawyer. Attorney Halks is highly respected in the legal community."
"I strongly endorse Attorney Nicholas A. Halks. He is a highly skilled attorney. He truly dedicates himself to every case and does his very best to secure a favorable outcome for his clients."
"Nick is an outstanding litigator who has obtained results for clients in complex matters. His ability to react to unexpected issues as they arise enables him to achieve the best results possible for his clients. I highly endorse Nick Halks."
"I endorse this lawyer. Although I have yet to meet him, I understand that he is a passionate advocate."
"I have recently become aware of Nick's abilities as a young and upcoming lawyer."
"Nick is a very good lawyer. Talented, professional and pleasure to work with."
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Experience
Honors
2024
Litigator of the Year, American Institute of Trial Lawyers
2023
Top Lawyer, Boston Magazine
2021
Client's Choice, Avvo
2020
Client's Choice, Avvo
2019
Client's Choice, Avvo
2018
Top 40 Under 40, The National Advocates
2017
Client's Choice, Avvo
2017
Distinguished Member, Lawyers of Distinction
2017
Top 40 Under 40, The National Advocates
2017
Client Reviewed, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Client's Choice, Avvo
2015
Client's Choice, Avvo
2014
Client's Choice, Avvo
2012
Award for Excellence: Sophisticated Speech, CALI
2012
Award for Excellence: Case Preparation, CALI
Work Experience
2017 - Present
Partner, The Halks Firm
2013 - 2016
Associate, Law Office of Jamie James
Associations
2014 - Present
Lawrence Bar AssociationMember
2013 - Present
Justinian Law Society of MassachusettsMember
2013 - Present
Salem Bar AssociationMember
2013 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2013 - Present
Massachusetts Bar AssociationMember
2012 - Present
National Motorists AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Custody
Full Custody to Mother
Education
2013
Massachusetts School of Law at Andover
JD - Juris Doctor
2008
University of South Carolina
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2013
Final Adjudication (Television Show)
Women in Combat
2013
Final Adjudication (Television Show)
Second Amendment
Publications
2012
Massachusetts School of Law (The Verdict)
Debt, Demographics, and Destiny
2011
Massachusetts School of Law (The Verdict)
A Slight Change in Foreign Policy
2010
Massachusetts School of Law (The Verdict)
On the Right and Never Wrong
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can anything be legally done about being treated unfairly in a restaurant workplace?
14 Mar 2016
Q&A
Do I need to fight in court for a stop sign ticket which is $105 ? is this will affect my insurance ? do I get points
02 Apr 2014