Anthony D. Nicholson

Tony’s practice focuses on estate planning, elder law, special needs planning, and estate and trust administration.

Tony has significant experience advising clients on elder law matters, special needs planning, Medicaid and other public benefits, guardianships, and supported decision-making.  He is a Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law, as well as a Board Certified Specialist in Elder Law by the North Carolina State Board of Legal Specialization.  He is also a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation and an Accredited Attorney for Veterans Benefits by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Tony grew up in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, and graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1991 with a Bachelor of Urban Planning. He worked for several years as a planner for the City of Asheville before deciding to enter law school. In 1998, Tony earned his law degree from the University of North Carolina, and has practiced in the Durham-Chapel Hill area ever since.

Tony is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the American Bar Association (Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section), and the North Carolina Bar Association (Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section, and Elder and Special Needs Law Section). Tony serves on the Legislative Committee of the Elder and Special Needs Law Section, and is a frequent speaker on special needs planning for the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, Autism Society of North Carolina, and many other organizations. Tony has served on many boards and committees including the Human Rights Committee of the ARC of the Triangle, the North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance (past Treasurer) and the Chapel Hill and Durham Eldercare Resources (past President). In addition, Tony is a member of the Durham/Orange Estate Planning Council, and is a member of the Finance Committee of HOPE NC. He also routinely provides pro bono services at Reality Ministries and the Community Family Life & Recreation Center at Lyon Park. Tony has received the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating and has been named to the North Carolina Super Lawyers magazine (Thomson Reuters) in 2020-2025.

On the weekends, Tony enjoys cycling, boating and fishing, and supporting the local restaurant scene with his wife.