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]

Irv Cantor

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 been recognized by his peers as one of the Top 10 Virginia Super Lawyers® every year from 2012-2018 and a Top 50 Richmond Area Super Lawyers® 2013 – 2021. He was one of only 33 members named in Virginia Lawyers Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 2018. He was also voted Plaintiff Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year in Richmond by Best Lawyers in America® in 2014 and 2016, as well as 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

books on a table, case results
Medical Malpractice

$8.65 MILLION

CGBB Attorney, Stephanie Grana settled an $8,650,000 medical

...
books on a table, case results
Wrongful Death

$5.187 Million

Wrongful Death Plaintiff’s decedent, a 22-year-old college student,

...
the side of a semi truck driving down a highway
Truck Accidents

$4 Million

Truck Accidents The plaintiff, a 32-year-old man, suffered

...
the side of a semi truck driving down a highway
Truck Accidents

$4 Million

Truck Accidents Plaintiff was a 44-year-old husband and

...
gray surgical scissors near doctors in operating room
Medical Malpractice

$3.4 Million

Medical Malpractice Motor vehicle collision/medical malpractice case, involving

...

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 was chosen by his peers as the Richmond Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America® for plaintiffs personal injury litigation in 2016 and 2014. 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

  • 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® “Richmond Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs’ Lawyer of the Year” (2014, 2016)
  • 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.
Virginia lawyer hall of fame logoVirginia lawyer hall of fame logo
Virginia Lawyers Hall of Fame
Attorney Irvin Cantor is inducted into the Virginia Lawyers Weekly “Hall of Fame” in 2018
best lawyers lawyer of the year badgebest lawyers lawyer of the year badge
Richmond Medical Malpractice Law-Plaintiffs’ Lawyer of the Year
Attorney Irvin Cantor is voted Richmond Medical Malpractice Law-Plaintiffs’ Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America®
rated by super lawyers badgerated by super lawyers badge
Top 10 Virginia Super Lawyers®
Attorney Irvin Cantor is named among Top 10 Virginia Super Lawyers® from 2012 to 2018
legal leaders martindale-hubbell logolegal leaders martindale-hubbell logo
Top Rated Lawyer
Attorney Irvin Cantor receives the title “Top Rated Lawyer” from American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell®
legal elite logolegal elite logo
Legal Elite - Civil Litigation
Attorney Irvin Cantor was recognized as “Legal Elite” in the category of Civil Litigation by Virginia Business magazine
martindale-hubbell preemptive logomartindale-hubbell preemptive logo
AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®
Attorney Irvin Cantor receives the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards
virginia trial lawyers association logovirginia trial lawyers association logo
President
Attorney Irvin Cantor served as President of The Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
super lawyers logosuper lawyers logo
Top 50 Richmond Area Super Lawyers®
Attorney Irvin Cantor is named among Top 50 Richmond Area Super Lawyers® from 2013 to 2021
brain injurybrain injury
President and Award Recipient
Attorney Irvin Cantor served as President and later received the Weinstock Award from the Brain Injury Association of Virginia in 2010
american board of trial advocates logoamerican board of trial advocates logo
President
Attorney Irvin Cantor served as President of The Virginia Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates
super lawyers logosuper lawyers logo
Super Lawyer for 15 Years
15th straight Super Lawyers distinction

Articles

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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