Joseph L. Cantor
Partner
Joseph L. Cantor is a partner at Cantor, Grana, Buckner, Bucci, P.C. (CGBB), The Virginia Trial Firm in Richmond, Virginia. Joseph represents people who have suffered catastrophic injuries and families who have lost a loved one to someone else’s negligence. His practice focuses on traumatic brain injury, tractor-trailer and motor vehicle crashes, premises liability, and wrongful death. He is a meticulous and thorough advocate who has built his practice around the serious, complex cases the firm is known for.
Practice Areas: Catastrophic Injuries, Brain Injury, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Truck Accidents, Premises Liability, Wrongful Death
Direct Office Line: (804) 368-1880
Email Address: jcantor@virginiatrialfirm.com
Lawyer License: 92145
Joseph has served as co-counsel on a series of significant recoveries for injured Virginians and the families of those who were killed. He approaches each case with the thorough preparation the firm’s verdicts and settlements are built on.
Representative results include:
- $4 million settlement in a tractor-trailer crash that caused a traumatic brain injury (2018), as co-counsel
- $2.125 million settlement in a tractor-trailer crash (2025), as co-counsel
- $1.25 million settlement in a traumatic brain injury case (2022), as co-counsel
Results depend on the unique facts of each case. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter.
Joseph’s connection to trial work began early. He started at the firm as a summer law clerk on its catastrophic injury team in 2011, joined as an attorney in 2017 immediately after graduating cum laude from the University of Richmond School of Law, and became a partner in 2022. Since 2011 he has also worked with Jury Impressions, a Richmond jury-consulting group, where he has taken part in more than 200 focus groups alongside trial lawyers across Virginia on brain injury, tractor-trailer, wrongful death, spinal cord injury, products liability, premises liability, and medical malpractice cases. That work has given him a close, practical view of how juries receive and weigh evidence in serious injury cases.
Joseph has been recognized by his peers throughout his career. He has been selected to the Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Stars list every year since 2019, including in 2026; the Rising Stars list is limited to attorneys who are under 40 or in practice fewer than ten years, and to no more than 2.5 percent of eligible attorneys in the Commonwealth. He has also been named to The Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch” list every year since 2021, including in 2026, for both Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation on the plaintiffs’ side, a category that recognizes attorneys in the earlier part of their careers.
Leadership in the bar and the brain injury community is the throughline of Joseph’s career so far. He serves as President of the Board of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia, where he has been a board member since 2022 and President since 2024. Within the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association he serves as District Governor for the Fourth District and Co-Chair of the Litigation Support Committee, and he previously chaired the association’s Young Trial Lawyers Section, organizing its first Young Trial Lawyers Retreat in 2023 and its Advanced Traumatic Brain Injury Retreat in 2020.
In 2025, Joseph worked as co-counsel on a tractor-trailer case that resulted in a $2.125 million settlement.
He is Social Chair of the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. American Inn of Court and a member of the American Association for Justice, including its Brain Injury and Trucking Litigation groups.
Meet Joseph Cantor
Highlight Reel
Education
- J.D., University of Richmond School of Law, cum laude 2017
- B.S., Rollins College 2013
- Collegiate School 2009
Case Results
$15 Million
$9 Million
Previous Experience
Bar Admissions
- Virginia (2017)
Court Admissions
- Virginia Supreme Court
- U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia
Honors & Awards
- Virginia Super Lawyers® Rising Stars (2019 through 2026)
- The Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch,” Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs (2021 through 2026)
Professional Associations
- Brain Injury Association of Virginia
- President of the Board (2024 to present)
- Board Member (2022 to present)
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
- District Governor, Fourth District (2024 to present)
- Co-Chair, Litigation Support Committee (2025 to 2026)
- Co-Chair, Membership Committee (2024 to 2025)
- Co-Chair, Public Affairs Committee (2023 to 2024)
- Chair, Young Trial Lawyers Section (2022 to 2023)
- American Association for Justice
- Brain Injury Litigation Group
- Trucking Litigation Group
- New Lawyers Division, Development Committee (2021 to 2022)
- Lewis F. Powell, Jr. American Inn of Court
- Social Chair (2021 to present)
- Virginia Bar Association
- Richmond Bar Association
- Member, Programs Committee (2026 to present)
Highlight Reel – Traumatic Brain Injury FAQ’s
Is A Concussion
a Brain Injury?
What Treatment Is Recommended for a Brain Injury?
Should I Settle
My Case?
Client Testimonials for Joseph L. Cantor
“I was involved in a devastating car accident that completely changed my life. I’ve been left with ongoing pain that I’ll carry with me forever. I wasn’t sure what to do at first, but I knew the person responsible needed to be held accountable.
I searched online for injury attorneys and came across Joseph Cantor of Cantor Grana Buckner & Bucci. I decided to give him a call, and that same day, I heard back from Joseph. From the very beginning, he reassured me that he had my back. Throughout the entire process, he was always available—answering my texts, calls, and emails promptly. He consistently checked in on me after every doctor’s appointment (and there were more than I can count) to make sure I was doing okay.
Joseph fought tirelessly to ensure I received the best possible outcome from my injury claim. Looking back, I know I made the right choice by making that initial call.
I highly recommend this firm to anyone dealing with an injury. They handle all your needs with professionalism and genuine care. When insurance companies try to shortchange you in the face of your pain, they stand strong and fight for what you deserve.” – Roberto Gomez
Articles
Vision Problems After Brain Injury: New Research on Diagnosis, Rehabilitation, and Recovery
It’s been my clinical experience that the full spectrum of vision issues after brain injury is incredibly underdiagnosed, and our patients suffer because of it.
Stephanie Grana and Elliott Buckner Continue Their Service to the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Partners Stephanie E. Grana and Elliott M. Buckner of Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci recently participated in the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association‘s September 2026 Board of
Stephanie Grana Named to 2026-27 Virginia 500 Power List
Virginia Business recognizes Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci partner among only 36 leaders in Law — marking her second appearance on the list RICHMOND, Va., Sept.
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