--- title: Irv Cantor - The Virginia Trial Firm --- Irv Cantor - The Virginia Trial Firm [Skip to content](#content) ## 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](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/practice-areas/wrongful-death-lawyer-richmond-va/). His work has resulted in more than 2,000 favorable verdicts and settlements for his clients, including more than 450 [traumatic brain injury cases](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/practice-areas/brain-injury-lawyers-lawyer-richmond-va/). 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](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/car-accident-lawyers/), [Spinal Cord Injuries](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/practice-areas/spinal-cord-injury-lawyer-richmond-va/), [Medical Malpractice](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/practice-areas/medical-malpractice-lawyer-richmond/) Direct Office Line: [(804) 343-4368](tel:(804) 343-4368) Email Address: [icantor@virginiatrialfirm.com](mailto:icantor@virginiatrialfirm.com) Lawyer License: 17870 I will always recommend your services. Chris L. Read Full Testimonial There is no one in the State of Virginia that I would rather refer cases to than Irv Cantor. Read Full Testimonial Not only successful, but also quite enjoyable. Read Full Testimonial From Day 1, it became crystal clear that I had made the right decision. Read Full Testimonial Their trial experience is very impressive. They were willing to listen to us and asked probing questions for case preparation. Read Full Testimonial Irv and his team are everything I was looking for in an associating counsel. Read Full Testimonial The Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci team is at the very top of my list. Read Full Testimonial [Introduction](#intro) [Bio](#bio) [Education](#education) [Case Results](#cases) [Previous Experience](#experience) [Awards](#awards) [Testimonials](#testimonials) [Articles](#articles) [Publications](#publications) [Contact Us](#contact) As a [Richmond personal injury attorney](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/practice-areas/personal-injury-lawyer-richmond-va/), 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. Outside the courtroom, Irv’s decades-long commitment to the Richmond tennis community was recognized with his induction into the [Richmond Tennis Hall of Fame](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IVC-Bio-Richmond-Tennis-HOF.webp) in 2025. 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](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/practice-areas/richmond-va-truck-accident-lawyer/), 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](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/practice-areas/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 ## Education - [ Education J.D., University of Virginia 1978 ](#) - [ B.A., University of Virginia 1975 ](#) ## Case Results # $16 MILLION Motorcycle Accident | Personal Injury | Wrongful Death [Read About This Case](#cgbb-cr-4250) [](#cgbb-ll-close) [×](#cgbb-ll-close) # $16 million Personal Injury | Wrongful Death [Read About This Case](#cgbb-cr-4859) [](#cgbb-ll-close) [×](#cgbb-ll-close) # $15 Million Truck Accidents [Read About This Case](#cgbb-cr-4231) [](#cgbb-ll-close) [×](#cgbb-ll-close) # $15 Million [Read About This Case](#cgbb-cr-4249) [](#cgbb-ll-close) [×](#cgbb-ll-close) # $9 Million [Read About This Case](#cgbb-cr-4232) [](#cgbb-ll-close) [×](#cgbb-ll-close) # $8.65 MILLION Medical Malpractice [Read About This Case](#cgbb-cr-4248) [](#cgbb-ll-close) [×](#cgbb-ll-close) [ All Case Results ](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/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](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/personal-injury-lawyers/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. ### Client Testimonials for Irv Cantor “If anyone needs a personal injury attorney I highly recommend the firm of Cantor Grana Buckner and Bucci. Irv Cantor, Joseph Cantor and Elliott Buckner are the most professional, caring individuals that fight for their client. They made the process easier and smoother than I ever thought that it would be. I had never been involved in an accident like this before but they removed the stress so that I could work on healing. They looked out for me every step of the way and always made sure I was getting the proper care that I needed for my injuries. You will not find a better group of people that treat you like family versus just a client. I cannot thank them enough for what they did for me. They are honestly the best group to have on your side.” – Caryn G. ## Articles ### [ Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci Partners Stephanie Grana and Elliott Buckner Named Among Virginia’s Top 5 Personal Injury Plaintiff Super Lawyers® for 2026 ](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/blog/cgbb-super-lawyers-2026-top-5-personal-injury-plaintiff-virginia-2/) June 9, 2026 No Comments Cantor, Grana, Buckner, Bucci, P.C. partners Stephanie E. Grana and Elliott M. Buckner have each been named to the 2026 Top 5: Personal Injury Plaintiff [ Read More » ](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/blog/cgbb-super-lawyers-2026-top-5-personal-injury-plaintiff-virginia-2/) [ ](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/blog/attention-memory-and-the-aging-brain-new-research-on-focus-recall-and-emotional-memory/) ### [ Attention, Memory, and the Aging Brain: New Research on Focus, Recall, and Emotional Memory ](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/blog/attention-memory-and-the-aging-brain-new-research-on-focus-recall-and-emotional-memory/) June 4, 2026 No Comments Summer’s here, and the family is planning a trip to the beach, and that means coming up with a book list! I don’t read for pleasure as much as [ Read More » ](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/blog/attention-memory-and-the-aging-brain-new-research-on-focus-recall-and-emotional-memory/) [ ](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/blog/i-95-bus-crash-stafford-county-virginia/) ### [ Deadly I-95 Bus Crash in Stafford County: How Crash Investigations and Virginia Law Determine Accountability ](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/blog/i-95-bus-crash-stafford-county-virginia/) May 29, 2026 No Comments A fatal interstate bus crash on I-95 in Stafford County killed five people and injured dozens. Here is how federal investigators and Virginia law approach accountability in catastrophic motorcoach cases. [ Read More » ](https://virginiatrialfirm.com/blog/i-95-bus-crash-stafford-county-virginia/) ## 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](https://www.vtla.com/index.cfm?pg=store). ## Additional Publications - “[The Brain Behind Brain Injuries](https://digital.superlawyers.com/superlawyers/vawvslrs15?pg=1#pg1),” Super Lawyers® Virginia and West Virginia Magazine 2015 - “[The Art and Science of Mastering the Jury Trial](https://www.vtla.com/index.cfm?pg=store),” 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](https://store.legal.thomsonreuters.com/law-products/Treatises/Handling-an-Automobile-Negligence-Case-in-Virginia-2018-2019-ed/p/106153692),” 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 ## Contact me Reach out directly to our attorneys at The Virginia Trial Firm Today. 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