C. Richard Nail Attorney At Law

Marital and family law attorney C. Richard Nail is of counsel in GrayRobinson's law firm Lakeland office. Rick is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law by The Florida Bar, focusing his practice exclusively on marital and family law litigation matters. His practice includes counsel related to the dissolution of marriage, collaborative law and cooperative law, marital settlement agreements, and pre and post- nuptial agreements. He is also a supreme court certified family law mediator.

Rick is one of the founding members of the Tampa Bay Collaborative Divorce Group and has served as chair of the Florida Bar Certification Committee for Marital and Family Law. He has also served as a member of the Florida Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization and Education and has been a member of The Florida Bar Board of Governors since 2010.

• Background

  Rick was born and raised in Lakeland, Florida.  He graduated from Lakeland Senior High School in 1964, the University of Florida in 1968 with a B.A. in English, and Stetson University College of Law with a J.D. degree in 1973.

  Upon graduation from University of Florida, Rick taught English for two years at Lakeland Kathleen High School.  After law school, he established his private practice in Clearwater, Florida, and remained a sole practitioner for 28 years, the last 25 years in the same office.  He practiced general civil, criminal and family law until 1987, when he specialized in family law.  In 2001, Rick decided to relocate back to his hometown, Lakeland, with his wife, Elsa.  He and his wife have 3 adult daughters: Elizabeth, a graduate of the University of Florida, who lives in Tampa, Florida; Sarah, a UF graduate who is married and lives in Tampa, Florida with her husband and their son and daughter; and Jessica, a University of Alabama graduate, who is married and lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband and their 2 daughters.  Rick became an Of Counsel/Director in the firm of GrayRobinson on July 1, 2001. 

• Education
  • University of Florida, B.A. (English,1968)
    • Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity
  • Stetson University College of Law, J.D. (1973)
    • Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity
    • Moot Court
• Admissions
  • Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• Professional Associations and Memberships
  • The Florida Bar (1973-present)
    • Board of Governors, Member (2010-present)
    • Family Law Section, Member
    • Board Certified in Marital and Family Law (1993-present)
    • Marital and Family Law Certification Committee (1996-2002); Chair (2001-2002)
    • Board of Legal Specialization and Education, Member (2003-2004, 2005-2008)
    • Matrimonial Law Trial Advocacy Seminar, Workshop Instructor (2001, 2003, 2005, 2009); Co-Chair (2007)
    • 6th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee A, Chair (1982-1985)
  • United States District Court, Middle District of Florida (1974)
  • Florida Supreme Court
    • Certified Family Law Mediator
  • Florida Supreme Court, Family Courts Steering Committee, Member (1994-1996)
  • Tampa Bay Collaborative Professionals Academy, Member
  • International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Member
  • Florida Academy of Professional Mediators, Member
  • Stetson Law School Divorce Clinic, Lecturer
  • Lakeland Bar Association
    • Member (2001-present)
    • Secretary (2003-2004)
    • Treasurer (2004-2005)
    • President-Elect (2005-2006)
    • President (2006-2007)
    • Res Integra Journal of Lakeland Bar Association, Original Editor (2006-present)
  • Polk County Family Law Association, Member (2001-present)
  • Clearwater Bar Association (1973-2001)
    • President (1982-1983)
    • Board of Directors (1980-1984); (1989-1991)
    • Family Law Section, Chair (1992-1993)
    • Res Ipsa Loquitur Newsletter, Original Co-Editor (January 1979); Editor (1980-1982)
  • Pinellas County Criminal Defense Lawyer Association, Vice President (1976-1977)
  • Canakaris Inn of Court, Pinellas County
• Awards and Recognitions
  • AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2017-2024
    • Lawyer of the Year, Family Law, 2022
    • Family Law
    • Family Law Mediation
  • Pi Kappa Alpha, "Alpha Eta Greats," 2016
  • Tampa Top Rated Lawyer, Family Law, 2013 
  • Jerry A. DeVane Award, In Recognition of His Exemplary Scholarship, Professionalism and Collegiality in the Practice of Law, 2009
• Civic
  • Historic Preservation Board of Lakeland, 2005-2011
  • Leadership Lakeland Class XXII Alumnus
  • Lakeland Junior League, Advisory Board,  2008-2010
  • Polk Theatre
    • Advisory Board, 2008-2009
    • Board of Trustees, 2002-2008
  • Polk County Museum of Art, Member; Volunteer, 2001-present
  • Lakeland High School, Class of 1964,  50th Year Class Reunion Committee, Member
  • Lakeland All Saints Episcopal Church, Member, 2001-present
  • Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Clearwater, Member, 1973-2001
  • Alpha Eta House Corporation, President, 1990-2001
  • Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, University of Florida, President, 1966-1968
  • Old Courthouse Restoration Committee, 6th Circuit, Pinellas County
• Media Mentions
  • "Board of Governors Candidate Platform," Florida Bar News, January 20, 2022