Attorneys and Co-Counsel
WHY CO-COUNSEL AND PARTNER WITH US?
Our History
For 45 years, our law firm has built its practice on referrals, co-counsel relationships, and joint ventures with other trial lawyers. Over the years, we designed our law firm specifically to handle large and complex cases, primarily catastrophic injury and death cases. We do not advertise on television or have a volume practice. Rather, we have a limited number of significant cases. This enables us to spend the time and resources necessary to handle complex cases.
Maintaining a smaller number of large and complex cases has proven to be a time-tested formula for success for our clients and for the law firms who have partnered with us.
Our Team
Irv Cantor
Partner
Stephanie Grana
Partner
Elliott Buckner
Partner
Scott Bucci
Partner
Joseph Cantor
Partner
Jeff Stedman
Partner
H. Aubrey Ford III
Of Counsel
The Value-Add Of Jury Impressions
- Quantitative Juror-Based Analysis with large group issue study and data accumulation.
- Qualitative Juror-Based Analysis with group dynamics – focus groups and mock trials.
- Case Development and Trial Preparation using results of juror-based analyses.
“We found that after years of working with other attorneys, that while every case benefits from the unique insights of a focus group and learning what real people think about the case, the real value-add that Jury Impressions provides is strategic consulting with experienced attorneys. That’s the combination of Jury Impressions and Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci.”
– Elliott Buckner
Our Process
We are detail-oriented and strive to utilize a “no stone unturned” approach to every case. Among the unique aspects of our process are the following:
- Team of experienced trial lawyers and leaders of the trial bar with a reputation for success in significant cases.
- Dedicated legal research partner, Jeff Stedman, who oversees our legal research, pleadings, and brief preparation.
- In-house jury consulting company, Jury Impressions, to utilize quantitative and qualitative juror-based analyses for every aspect of the case.
- In-house Director of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Services, Anne McDonnell, to oversee the use of the best experts, literature, and research in brain and spinal injury cases.
Ways To Co-Counsel And Partner With Us
We tailor our arrangements to the needs of the lawyers and law firms who contact us, and we are flexible and creative in designing our arrangements.
Among the ways we partner include:
- Silent Partner – undisclosed, behind-the-scenes partner.
- Limited Issue Co-Counsel – handling one or more limited issues within a case.
- Trial Co-Counsel – working as a co-counsel with outside counsel through trial.
- Lead Trial Counsel – working as the lead trial counsel, with outside counsel as supporting counsel.
- Referral – we take over the case and pay a percentage fee to referring counsel.
What Other Lawyers Have Said About Working With Us
“I was retained to represent the family of a woman killed in a tragic accident in Virginia. Due to the high-profile nature of the case, I knew it was vital to retain an extremely high-profile law firm. After consideration and discussions with other prominent Virginia attorneys, I chose Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci. From Day 1, it became crystal clear that I had made the right decision. I have no doubt that the efforts of Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci were the primary reason for the case resolving quite favorably.”
– Jeffrey Laffey, Laffey, Bucci & Kent
“I partnered with Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci on a wrongful death case with a Virginia decedent. The team was everything I was looking for in an associating counsel – a keen insight into local courts, lawyers, and businesses; great judgment; a willingness to work through difficult procedural or substantive issues; and empathy for the decedent’s family.
The team utilized mock juries and technologies to present the case in its best light. They are very practical and easy to work with – I would work with them again in a minute if the opportunity presented itself.”
– Paul Perlman, Hodgson Russ
“I am a sole practitioner in Alexandria. When I was referred a catastrophic injury case, I associated Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci to assist me. It proved to be a wise decision. The case resolved for $3,000,000. The joint venture was both smart and successful. In over 40 years of law practice, I have worked with hundreds of attorneys, and the Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci team is at the very top of my list.”
– Tim Battle, Battle Law Firm
“We recently associated Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci in a tragic wrongful death case that got resolved for top dollar in large measure because of the legal ability, creativity, and tenacity of the Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci team. When you associate Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci, you get it all: smarts, diligence, compassion, resources, relationships, and most of all, results!”
– Keenan Nix, Morgan & Morgan
Our Results
The true litmus test of a law firm is its case results. We have a proven track record over our 45 years.
Over 100 verdicts and settlements exceeding $1,000,000.
Bar Rules Encourage Co-Counseling
In virtually every state, joint ventures between lawyers and law firms are permissible so long as such arrangements comply with the applicable ethical rules. In most states, a division of fees between lawyers who are not in the same law firm is permissible so long as:
(1) the client is properly advised and consents to such division and
(2) the fee and fee split meet such additional ethical requirements as set forth by the rules of the applicable state bar.
In Virginia, Rule 1.5(E), Virginia Rules Of Professional Conduct, Virginia State Bar, States:
A division of a fee between lawyers who are not in the same firm may be made only if:
1. the client is advised of and consents to the participation of all the lawyers involved;
2. the terms of the division of the fee are disclosed to the client and the client consents thereto;
3. the total fee is reasonable; and
4. the division of fees and the client’s consent is obtained in advance of the rendering of legal services, preferably in writing.
The Virginia State Bar contemplates that there will be situations in which joint ventures and associating counsel will take place. Indeed, the “Comment” by the Virginia State Bar regarding the “Division of Fee” states: “A division of fee refers to a single billing to a client covering the fee of two or more lawyers who are not in the same firm. A division of fee facilitates association of more than one lawyer in a matter in which neither alone could serve the client as well, and most often is used when the fee is contingent and the division is between a referring lawyer and a trial specialist”. Moreover, the Virginia State Bar comments that Rule 1.5 (e) eliminated the requirement “that each lawyer involved in a fee-splitting arrangement assume full responsibility to the client, regardless of the degree of the lawyer’s continuing participation” in order “to encourage referrals under appropriate circumstances.” In fact, in its Comment to Rule 1:1, dealing with a lawyer’s competence, the Virginia State Bar states:
“In determining whether a lawyer employs the requisite knowledge and skill in a particular matter, relevant factors include the relative complexity and specialized nature of the matter, the lawyer’s general experience, the lawyer’s training and experience in the field in question, the preparation and study the lawyer is able to give the matter and whether it is feasible to refer the matter to, or associate or consult with, a lawyer of established competence in the field in question.”
In this era of ever increasing complexity and specialization, joint ventures and associating counsel often is advisable and in the best interests of the client. The Virginia State Bar not only has clear ethical rules permitting joint venturing and associating counsel, but encourages such relationships between lawyers and law firms in appropriate circumstances.
Contact Us
- 804-644-1400
- [email protected]
- 7130 Glen Forest Drive, Suite 400,
Richmond, VA 23226
