Justin Sheldon

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 five 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.

After several years representing injured people, Justin became aware of the growing crisis facing nursing home residents and their families.  He has developed a passion for helping those that have been badly injured and killed because of the neglect and abuse nursing home residents endure from the companies that are supposed to care for them.  Because much of the abuse and neglect is the direct result of financial decisions nursing homes and their parent companies are making, his business litigation experience has proved invaluable in navigating these complex cases.

Justin also served as counsel securing a $38.2 million settlement for a class action lawsuit that included more than 10,750 universal life insurance policy holders of Banner Life Insurance Co. and William Penn Life Insurance Co. The plaintiffs in these class actions alleged that the companies unjustifiably increased the cost of insurance charges on the policies for the sole purpose of benefiting shareholders and clearing their near-term liabilities.

Justin’s dedication to preparing every case for trial has also led to multiple settlements for individuals over $1,000,000. Refusing to be content with past success, he 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” by Virginia Super Lawyers® from 2015-2020 and a Super Lawyer 2021-2022, being named a “Top 40 Under 40” by the National Trial Lawyers, receiving the “Up & Coming Lawyer” award from Virginia Lawyers Weekly in 2021, and being selected by Best Lawyers® as “Ones to Watch” for 2022 and 2023.

Justin and his wife, Laura, have three 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.

Recent posts from Justin Sheldon

• How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Virginia
• Filing a Trucking Accident Lawsuit
• Wrongful Death: Naming the Proper Personal Representative of the Estate: A Trap for the Unwary
• What to Do After an Auto Accident in Virginia

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Awards

Virginia Super Lawyers® “Rising Star”

Attorney Justin Sheldon is recognized by Virginia Super Lawyers® as a “Rising Star” from 2015 to 2020.

National Trial Lawyers "Top 40 Under 40"

Attorney Justin Sheldon is named by National Trial Lawyers as a “Top 40 Under 40” lawyer.

Virginia State Bar "Significant Service" Award

Attorney Justin Sheldon is awarded the Virginia State Bar “Significant Service” award in 2013 and 2016.

Super Lawyers® – Selected for Thomson Reuters

Justin Sheldon has been honored by Super Lawyers® for being recognized by Thomson Reuters in 2021.

Super Lawyers® – Selected for Thomson Reuters

Justin Sheldon has been honored by Super Lawyers® for being recognized by Thomson Reuters in 2022.

Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch

Justin Sheldon has been recognized by his peers on the “Ones to Watch” list in 2022 and 2023.

Justin Sheldon has been honored by Super Lawyers® for being recognized by Thomson Reuters in 2023.