Christian Van Riper has been practicing law in Florida since 2006 and brings a rare combination of legal, prosecutorial, and investigative experience to every client he represents. He is a skilled criminal defense and family law attorney.
While in law school, Christian was selected for the distinguished honor of serving as an intern with the Florida Supreme Court, where he worked directly on complex appellate matters. This early exposure to sophisticated legal analysis shaped the disciplined, detail-driven approach he applies to his cases today.
Following law school, Christian served as a prosecutor, where he handled serious felony and misdemeanor cases. The courtroom experience he gained—conducting hearings, negotiating with seasoned defense counsel, and trying cases before juries—now serves as the foundation of his criminal and DUI defense practice. Christian also previously worked as a Child Protective Investigator with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). In that role, he was responsible for the investigation of child-abuse and neglect reports, work that demanded meticulous fact-gathering, interviewing, and evaluation under pressure. Those investigative skills remain central to his representation of clients today, especially in high-conflict family law matters.
Christian’s unique dual background as both a prosecutor and a DCF investigator provides an uncommon and deeply valuable perspective when representing parents in dependency cases, legal proceedings initiated by the State when allegations arise that a child may be unsafe at home. Understanding not only how these cases are prosecuted, but also how they are investigated on the ground level, allows Christian to advocate for parents with insight few attorneys possess.
Christian represents individuals facing the full spectrum of criminal charges, including DUI and Boating Under the Influence (BUI), burglary, driving without a valid license, violation of probation, resisting arrest, drug possession, prescription fraud, computer fraud, arson, grand theft, and all other misdemeanor and felony offenses, as well as criminal appeals. He also maintains a robust family law practice, handling divorce, paternity actions, child custody matters, modifications of alimony and child support, enforcement and contempt proceedings, and the full range of domestic relations litigation.
Christian meets with clients at Van Riper & Nies Attorneys’ offices in Stuart, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and Deerfield Beach, Florida. He is known for his courtroom skill, strategic negotiation, and unwavering preparation. Clients frequently remark on his accessibility—every client is provided with Christian’s personal cell phone number—ensuring direct communication and peace of mind throughout the legal process.
Committed, experienced, and tireless in his advocacy, Christian Van Riper brings a high level of professionalism and determination to every case he takes on.
