Irvin V. Cantor
Partner
Since 1979, Attorney Irv Cantor has been dedicated to the families of those who have suffered serious injuries or wrongful death. His work has resulted in more than 2,000 favorable verdicts and settlements for his clients, including more than 450 traumatic brain injury cases. He has recovered more than 50 verdicts and settlements larger than $1 million for injured men and women in Richmond and throughout Virginia and the U.S., securing their futures and their peace of mind for the rest of their lives.
Practice Areas: Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Spinal Cord Injuries, Medical Malpractice
Direct Office Line: (804) 343-4368
Email Address: [email protected]
As a Richmond personal injury attorney, Irv’s primary goal is the well-being of his clients. His approach, his leadership over the firm of Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci, and his personal practice are all shaped by his relentless compassion for those who have been injured or bereaved due to negligence. There is nothing more important than making sure innocent injury victims receive financial compensation to rebuild their lives while holding those at fault responsible.
Irv has consistently been recognized as one of the Top 10 Virginia Super Lawyers® from 2012 to 2018 and named among the Top 50 Richmond Area Super Lawyers® from 2013 to 2021. In 2018, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Virginia Lawyers Hall of Fame. Additionally, he was honored as Plaintiff Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year in Richmond by Best Lawyers in America® in 2014, 2016, and 2025, and Plaintiff Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year in 2020.
The vast majority of Irv’s cases are referrals from other trial lawyers. Many professionals in the field have asked Irv to represent them in their own injury cases, including attorneys, judges, claims adjusters, and physicians. He is a frequent lecturer throughout Virginia and the U.S. to other trial lawyers on numerous subjects, including traumatic brain injuries, truck accident cases, and elements of trial. He is the co-author with Judge Samuel Johnston of the book, The Art and Science of Mastering the Jury Trial.
Irv is the founder and President of Jury Impressions, a jury consulting company which, among other services, arranges mock trials and focus groups for trial lawyers throughout the country. Irv also serves as a mediator and arbitrator in a wide variety of cases dealing with catastrophic injuries and death.
Representing Victims of Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury cases comprise the largest portion of Irv’s practice. He has successfully handled brain injury cases for over 40years. He wrote the chapter dealing with legal aspects of brain injury cases for the seminal medical textbook on the subject, Brain Injury Medicine. Irv was featured on the cover of the 2015 Virginia and West Virginia Super Lawyers® magazine, with the cover story featuring Irv’s career in handling brain injury cases.
Meet Irv Cantor
Case Results
Previous Experience
Bar Admissions
- Virginia, 1978
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Courts (Several)
- U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals
Previous Experience
- Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci, Founding Partner (2009-2022)
- CantorArkema, P.C., Founding Partner (1979-2009)
- Supreme Court of Virginia, Law Clerk (1978)
Awards
Irv Cantor was awarded the Best Lawyers in America® “Richmond Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiff’s Lawyer of the Year” for 2014, 2016, and most recently for 2025. Additionally, he was also recognized by Best Lawyers in America® in 2020 for Medical Malpractice. He has also been selected to Super Lawyers® Top 10 Virginia Lawyers for 7 years running from 2012 – 2018. His consistent professionalism and integrity have resulted in him receiving the highest possible grade from Martindale-Hubbell®, the legal rating service.
In addition to his awards, Irv is often asked to speak to fellow lawyers about his various areas of experience. These have included traumatic brain injuries, automobile accidents, premises liability, liability insurance, and trying a case effectively. Irv’s reputation in the legal community has also made him a leader in various organizations and associations.
He has served terms as the president for:
- The Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
- The Brain Injury Association of Virginia
- The Virginia Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates
- The Virginia Trial Lawyers Foundation
Honors
- Best Lawyers in America® “Richmond Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs’ Lawyer of the Year” (2014, 2016, 2025)
- Recipient, 2023 Legacy Award from the Brain Injury Association of Virginia
- Virginia Lawyers Hall of Fame 2018
- Best Lawyers in America® “Richmond Medical Malpractice Law-Plaintiffs’ Lawyer of the Year” (2020)
- Best Lawyers in America® for Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice (2007-present)
- AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards
- American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell® “Top Rated Lawyer” (2012)
- Virginia Super Lawyers® since 2006
- Named among Top 10 Virginia Super Lawyers® (2012-2018), Top 50 Richmond Area Super Lawyers® (2013 – 2021), Top 25 Richmond Area Super Lawyers® (2011), Top 50 Virginia Super Lawyers® (2006, 2009, 2011), and Top 100 Virginia Super Lawyers® (2012 – 2021)
- “Legal Elite,” in the category of Civil Litigation, named by Virginia Business magazine
- Recipient, 2010 Weinstock Award from the Brain Injury Association of Virginia
- Honored as a “Leader in the Law” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly, for significant contributions to the legal profession and community at large (2010)
- Litigation Counsel of America – Charter Senior Fellow and Order of Centurions.
Articles
Virginia Increases Minimum Insurance Requirements Starting 1/1/2025
Virginia has updated its minimum auto insurance requirements, effective January 1, 2025. Here’s what YOU need to know: If you’re a Virginia driver, NOW is
Risk for Affective, Behavioral Disorders Increased in Children After mTBI
There is a long, strong relationship between the development of psychiatric disorders and brain injury. In adults, the risk of developing a mental health disorder
Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci Earns Prestigious 2025 Best Law Firms® Tier 1 Rankings in Richmond
Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci has been recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms®, ranked by Best Lawyers®, regionally in 3 practice areas. Firms
Publications
Author, The Art and Science of Mastering the Jury Trial
Irv Cantor literally wrote the book on how to handle a jury trial. He and Judge Samuel Johnson Co-Authored the book, “The Art and Science of Mastering the Jury Trial“. This book is designed to assist the trial lawyer in preparing for a jury trial, trying a case before a jury, and the actions that need to be taken post-trial
This book is as much a “how not to” as it is a “how to” guide through the labyrinth known as a “jury trial.” Read more and/or purchase.
Additional Publications
- “The Brain Behind Brain Injuries,” Super Lawyers® Virginia and West Virginia Magazine 2015
- “The Art and Science of Mastering the Jury Trial,” Co-authored with Judge Samuel Johnston, VTLA Publishing
- “Cantor Wins 2010 BIAV Weinstock Award,” BIAV Newsletter, Summer 2010
- VTLA Journal, Volume 19, Number 3 2007; the joy and satisfaction of a trial lawyer representing persons who have suffered traumatic brain injuries
- Brain Injury Medicine, Demos Medical Publishing; Chapter 62, “Medicolegal Aspects of TBI”, 2006
- Brain Injury Association of Virginia; winter newsletter
- “MedicoLegal Aspects of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury,” VTLA Journal, Winter 2003-2004
- “How To Use A SPECT Scan In The Trial Of A Traumatic Brain Injury Case,” VTLA Journal, Summer 1998
- “Use of Demonstrative Evidence In The Trial Of A Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Case,” VTLA Journal, Spring 1995
- “Handling an Automobile Negligence Case in Virginia,” Chapters 3, 4, 5 and 10, West Publishing, 2000
- “Insurance Coverage for Automobile Injury Cases,” VTLA Journal, Volume II, No. 4, Fall 1990
- Civil Conspiracy and the Hospital Staff Controversy, Legal Aspects of Medical Practice, 1979
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