After graduating, cum laude from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2011, Justin Sheldon began his legal career with a large national firm doing high-stakes business litigation. He soon moved on to a boutique firm specializing in auto products liability litigation throughout the United States. In that role, he was on the trial team for Porsche, Honda, Toyota, Kia, and Hyundai when those companies were sued for the serious injury or death of car crash victims.
Finding that his sympathy and passion were with those who had been injured, Justin decided to change his legal career path and began representing injury victims and their families. From his experience as a defense lawyer, Justin knew that the single most powerful tool in representing injury victims and their families was the jury trial. As a plaintiffs’ attorney, Justin works every single case with the full intention of taking it to trial and having a jury decide. In the years that Justin has represented victims and their families, he has tried at least 5 jury trials each year, along the way winning a verdict of $1,250,000 in King William County, Virginia, which is currently the largest jury verdict in that county.
Justin’s dedication to preparing every case for trial has also led to multiple settlements over $1,000,000. Refusing to be content with past success, Justin is constantly searching for ways to represent his clients better, attending conferences and reading books on trial skills. His dedication to improvement is reflected in the many recognitions that he has received, including being named a “Rising Star” in Virginia Super Lawyer from 2015 through 2020 and being named a Top 40 Under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers.
In addition to his legal practice, Justin served on the Rule of Law, Students’ Day at the Capitol planning committee from 2013 through 2017. This event is hosted at the Virginia State Capitol and brings middle school and high school students to learn from legislators. He earned the Significant Service award from the Virginia State Bar in 2013 and 2016 for his work with Rule of Law, Students’ Day at the Capitol. Justin is also on the Publications Committee for the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.
Justin and his wife, Laura, have two young sons that keep them busy. Justin is very excited to raise his sons to be young men of character, and considers that responsibility the most important calling he has.
