Avery T. 'Sandy' Waterman, Jr.
Avery T.
12350 Jefferson Avenue
Suite 300
Newport News, VA 23602
Map
Phone: (757) 881-9881 | Fax: (757) 223-4499
http://www.waterman.pro
http://www.virginiainjuryattorneyblog.com
Virginia Personal Injury Wrongful Death Accident Lawyer
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
Wrongful Death, Brain Injury, Vehicle Accident, Medical Malpractice, Sexual Abuse, Crime Victims and Other Special Personal Injuries.
Sub-Topics
Car Accident
- Auto Accident
Mass Accidents
- Airplanes
Product Liability
- Design Defects
- Manufacturing Defects
Truck Accident
Wrongful Death
Bar Admissions
VA, Apr 1987
Bar Number: 27118
DC, Feb 1995
Bar Number: 444977
LA, Oct 1982
Bar Number: 01636
Other Court Admissions
All local courts in Virginia, Louisiana, and District of Columbia; Virginia Supreme Court, Louisiana Supreme Court, District of Columbia Courts; United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana; United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana; United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia; United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia; United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia; United States Tax Court; United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit; and United States Supreme Court.
Association Memberships
Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Southern Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, Virginia State Bar, District of Columbia Bar, Louisiana State Bar Association, and Williamsburg Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I always exceed the required numbers of hours for continuing legal education for ethics and otherwise, including by being a seminar panelist and attendance.
Papers and Publications
"Healthcare Policies, Procedures and Protocols: Discovery, Abuse, Admissibility, and Legislation," 19 Journal of VTLA 2 (Spring 2008); "Charitable Immunity: A Limited Doctrine," 9 the Journal of VTLA 2 (Spring 1997); and "Negligent Retention: Alive and Well in Virginia," 11 Virginia Lawyer's Weekly [www.valawyersweekly.com] 253 (Aug. 19, 1996).
Example Cases
Riverside Hosp. Inc v. Johnson, 272 Va.518, 636 S.E. 2d 416 (2006) was a medical malpractice case tried to jury verdict for $1,670,000 and upheld on appeal by the Virginia Supreme Court in a landmark opinion. In another recent case, I successfully obtained a confidential settlement for 115 clients in class action litigation certified by United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Additionally, court opinions of my cases are published. E.g., Kane v Hargis, 987 F.2d 1005 (4th Cir. 1992); Alley v. Chrysler Credit Corp., 767 F.2d 138 (5th Cir. 1985); Webb v. Stevens, 2008 U.S. Dist. Lexis 61480 (E.D.N.C. Aug. 11, 2008); Choimbol v. Fairfield Resorts, Inc., 2006 U.S. Dist. Lexis 19340 (E.D. Va. 2006); Zhu v. Rocco Farms, Inc., 1998 U.S. Dist. Lexis 21781 (W.D. Va. 1998); Amchem Prods., Inc. v. Newport News Circuit Court Asbestos Cases Plaintiffs, 264 Va. 89 (2002); Waterman v. Halverson, 261 Va. 203 (2001); Carr v. Carr, No. 0096-09-1 (Aug. 18, 2009) reh. denied en banc (Va. App., Sep. 22, 2009); Pais v. Automation Prods, Inc., 36 Va. Cir. 230 (Newport News 1995); Treitler v. American Druggists' Ins. Co., 474 So.2d 475 (La. App. 1985); Evans v. Detweiler, 466 So.2d 800 (La. App. 1984); Duckworth v. GEICO, 464 So.2d 907 (La. App. 1984); Landaiche v. Lou-Con, 461 So.2d 1107 (La. App. 1984); In re Tutorship of Werling, 459 So.2d 758 (La. App. 1984); and Mayeur v. American Cyanamid Co., 459 So.2d 292 (La. App. 1984).
Education
Juris Doctorate
Charlottesville
VA
1982
Faculty Research Assistant (Professor Jeffries and Levmore), Summer Research Assistant (Professor Jeffries), Academic Review Committee, Admissions Office Assistant, and Colonnade Club.
Bachelor of Arts
Williamsburg
VA
1979
President's Aide; College Register; Omicron Delta Kappa and Mortar Board, national leadership honoraries; Omicron Delta Epsilon, national economics honorary; Theta Delta Chi; Board of Student Affairs; Colonial Echo; and ROTC scholarship.
Economics Major.
Number of Attorneys
25
State Licensed In
Virginia, District of Columbia, and Louisiana.
Firm Focus and History
Recognition is for the broad sophisticated personal injury practice, including asbestos, wrongful death, brain injuries, vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, sexual abuse, crime victims, and other civil litigation. Founded in 1955, it is now one of the two largest based on the Virginia Peninsula.
Previous Employment Summary
(1982-1986) Associate, McGlinchey Stafford, PLLC, New Orleans, Louisiana; and (1982) Adjunct Professor, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana. Also, I have served without compensation as a judge at Mock Trial Competition of Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Moot Court Competition of University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, Virginia; and Moot Court Competition at William and Mary School of Law, Williamsburg, Virginia.
Activities and Awards
I have present and/or past recognition in the following:
"Million Dollar Advocates Forum"
"The Best Lawyers in America"
"Virginia's Super Lawyers"
Virginia Business' "Legal Elite"
Lawdragon's "Top Plaintiff Lawyers"
VTLA "Amicus Curiae Honor Roll" and "Williamsburg Society"
"Who's Who in American Law"
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I encourage my clients and prospective ones to be as legally informed as possible, including particularly by visiting my legal website and my legal blog.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I review all pertinent documents (regardless their preparer) for cases I am undertaking legal representation.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Unfortunately, court rules and professional liability insurers effectively preclude me from ghost-writing lawsuit papers and advising pro se litigants.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
My primary role model was my paternal grandfather, Lewis Anthony Waterman, a Harvard-educated lawyer. Also, as a child, I was a huge fan of Perry Mason - he was sharp and always won for the underdog.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I received an excellent education at Virginia's top college and law school, which was all the more meaningful for having put myself through those educational institutions on my own financially. I have had sophisticated work experience, first at a leading regional defense firm and now at the area's leading plaintiff law firm. Persevering successfully through multiple personal hardships has sensitized me to victim clients and toughened me for litigation.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Initially, I pursued personal injury litigation because of liking the individuals practicing in at my first law firm. Subsequently, I switched from defending to prosecuting personal injury cases because vindicating victims was more rewarding.
What do you like best about your career?
I have never been more gratified being a lawyer. I am at the top of my legal game right now. I pick which cases to accept and to reject. There is nothing like successfully representing the underdog against big money and power!
Tell us about your law firm:
I personally handle all cases accepted; nothing is lateralled to a less experienced lawyer. My legal assistants capably and pleasantly interface with all of my clients.
What are your strengths and style?
My hardworking style is to be aggressive, tenacious and creative. I am uniformly strong across all facets of litigation: from investigation to discovery, from mediation to settlement, from trial to appeal, and otherwise.
Personal Interests:
I enjoy family and friends; working out, cycling, running and kayaking; concerts and festivals; movies, theater and arts; black-tie and sporting events; mountains and beaches; and some free time.
Office Manager/Assistant
Jeanne Varco: (757) 223-4568 and Megan Pham: (757) 223-4469.
Fax
(757) 223-4499
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Emergency after hours: Flexible special appointments.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Spanish
Additional Offices
Williamsburg, VA
322 East Landing
Williamsburg, VA 23185
(888) 881-7881
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Except for special cases accepted on an hourly fee basis, all cases are on a contingency fee basis (where the client is responsible for an attorney fee ONLY if there is a recovery by settlement or award).
Hourly Rates
$395 (ONLY for non-contingency fee cases).
Free Initial Consultation?
All initial consultation for personal injury cases are FREE.
Typical Retainer
There is NO retainer in contingency fee cases. In hourly cases, my retainer is $5,000 to $10,000.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.
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