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Bradley Rittenhouse Haywood
also known as Brad Haywood
Virtual Consultation Available
About Bradley
Biography
“It is not hyperbole to say that Bradley R. Haywood has changed the entire legal landscape in Virginia. As the founder of Justice Forward Virginia, he revolutionized the criminal justice reform movement throughout the Commonwealth” — Virginia Lawyers Weekly
Brad Haywood has practiced criminal defense for over two decades, including 7 years as Chief Public Defender for Arlington County & the City of Falls Church, Virginia, 8 years as an Assistant Public Defender in Alexandria, and 6 years with Sheldon, Flood and Haywood, PLC. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Columbia Law School. In the course of his career, Brad has represented thousands of clients in over 300 trials, including more than 50 jury trials. Brad has served as an Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at American University, Washington College of Law, and as a lecturer for groups including the Virginia Bar Association, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission.
Brad is the 2021 recipient of the Arlington NAACP's Charles P. Monroe Civil Rights Award, a member of the 2022 class of Virginia Lawyers Weekly's Leaders in the Law, and in 2025 was honored by the Virginia General Assembly in House Resolution 893 "exemplary counsel to clients in both state and federal courts throughout the Commonwealth," "deep commitment to local community engagement," and "making a difference in countless lives."
Haywood Law LLC focuses primarily on state and federal criminal defense, encompassing criminal trials, criminal appeals, and post-conviction litigation, such as petitions for clemency, claims of actual innocence and writs of habeas corpus alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. Brad represents clients throughout the Commonwealth, but primarily Northern Virginia jurisdictions, including Arlington/Falls Church, Alexandria, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Vienna, Prince William County, Manassas, Loudoun County, and Stafford. He also practices in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Case types include:
- Drug & Weapons Offenses
- Homicide
- Sex Crimes
- Assault
- Fraud & Theft
- Protective Orders
- Abduction, Strangulation, Stalking
- Trespassing
- White Collar Crimes
- Public Intoxication & Disorderly Conduct
- Drunk Driving
- Hit & Run, Reckless Driving and Driving on Suspended
- Expungements & Restoration of Rights
- Writs of Habeas Corpus
- Clemency/Pardon Petitions
- Criminal Appeals…and many others
Experienced. Committed. Relentless. Exemplary representation in all criminal, traffic and post-conviction cases.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
85%
23 years | 3,000 cases
Appeals
15%
23 years | 200 cases
Fees and Rates
Licenses
Licensed in Virginia for 22 years
State: Virginia
Acquired: 2003
No misconduct found
Licensed in District of Columbia for 15 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2010
No misconduct found
Location
Haywood Law LLC
(888) 641-9466
Mobile
2311 Wilson Blvd. 3rd Floor, Arlington, VA, 22201
haywoodlaw.com/Haywood Law LLC
(888) 641-9466
Mobile
10621 Jones St., Suite 301-A, Fairfax, VA, 22030
haywoodlaw.com/Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Bradley online.
Bradley Rittenhouse Haywood's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
11 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (11)
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by anonymous | March 30, 2015 | Criminal Defense
Highly Recommended
Some months ago, my son was arrested and charged with two counts of felony. It was a weekend, and my wife and I had absolutely no idea what to do. We had never been in a situation like this! A friend (whose husband is a retired lawyer) gave us the names of several attorneys; I received a call back fr...
Posted by Eddie | March 05, 2015 | Juvenile
Brad Haywood
We hired Brad Haywood on two occasions in support of a teenage family member who had some tricky legal challenges. We're so grateful for Brad's work and support during a difficult time. Brad came to us on the recommendation of a friend of ours who is an attorney -- and he earned our full confidence. ...
Posted by anonymous | September 04, 2014 | Criminal Defense
Charges Dropped
When I first sought Mr. Haywood's consultation I was most certain there was nothing that could be done to help my case. I had already settled in my mind that I'd be doing my time and simply needed an attorney to muddle through the logistics of the court system. Boy was I wrong! Mr. Haywood gathered ...
Bradley Rittenhouse Haywood's Lawyer Endorsements
"I highly endorse this lawyer. Perhaps not surprising because he is my law partner. Still, Brad is one of the top criminal defense lawyers in Virginia, has a commanding court room presence and an innovative, creative and tireless advocacy for his clients."
"Brad Haywood is a skilled, intelligent, aggressive and caring attorney. Mr. Haywood was an attorney in the Alexandria Public Defender's Office when I clerked there over 10 years ago. Since that time, I've witnessed firsthand his dedication to finding and advancing the strongest legal arguments available and fighting for the best outcome for his clients. I fully endorse him in the areas of criminal defense, violent crime, appeals, and juvenile crime."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Brad professionally for a decade, since we were both Public Defenders. Brad is a brilliant and perceptive lawyer who soaks up whatever subject matter his cases put in front of him. His intellect is apparent from even a very short conversation with him. Brad also fights for his client without concern for whatever obstacles courts or prosecutors might pose. When I have questions about complex legal issues, I look for Brad. I would hire him to represent me without hesitation."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Brad for eleven years, and I can say without hesitation he is one of the best defense attorneys in Northern Virginia. He spent the first eight years of his career at the Alexandria Public Defender's Office trying extremely difficult cases and earning a reputation as a very tough litigator who cares about his clients a lot. Since he joined private practice, he and I handled a very hard murder case together and it was obvious he is one of the best lawyers around to count on for that kind of case. He works tireless hours when pressing issues come up. The thing a lot of clients will notice about him is that he's great in court - persuasive, likable and forceful at the same time. A lot of attorney's passions tend to slow down once they get hired and paid. Brad is the opposite. He is not going to let people down."
"I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Haywood for the past seven years, During this time I have watched how passionate he is about his work and how much he cares about his clients. In court he is always prepared and a strong advocate at trial."
"Brad Haywood is the lawyer I would call in the middle of the night if I ever had trouble with the law. As a graduate of one of the most prestigious law programs in the country he has the brains, but he backs it up with an incredible work ethic, and a lot of heart. He is more prepared than his opponents in court, and does not let his clients make the wrong choices. I cannot recommend him highly enough."
George Wooditch
Criminal defense lawyer
Keva McDonald
Criminal defense lawyer
Andrew Elders
Criminal defense lawyer
William Chick
Criminal defense lawyer
Pierre Priale
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
House Resolution 893, Commending Bradley R. Haywood, Virginia General Assembly
2022
Leaders in the Law, Virginia Lawyers Weekly
2021
Charles P. Monroe Civil Rights Award, NAACP, Arlington Branch
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2015
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2014
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers
2009
SDDL Mock Trial Competition, Champion [Coach], San Diego Defense Lawyers
2006
Graduate/Scholarship Recipient, National Criminal Defense College, Trial Practice Institute
2003
Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, Columbia Law School
2002
Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, Columbia Law School
2002
Charles Evans Hughes Fellow, Columbia Law School
Work Experience
2017 - 2025
Chief Public Defender, Office of the Public Defender for Arlington County & the City of Falls Church
2017 - 2022
Founder and Executive Director, Justice Forward Virginia
2011 - 2017
Partner, Sheldon, Flood & Haywood PLC
2010 - 2012
Adjunct Professor [Trial Advocacy], American University, Washington College Of Law
2004 - 2011
Senior Assistant Public Defender, Alexandria Public Defender
Associations
2025 - Present
Offender Aid and RestorationBoard Member
2022 - Present
Justice Forward VirginiaBoard Member
2021 - Present
Northern Virginia Black Attorneys AssociationMember
2021 - Present
NAACPSilver Life Member
2017 - Present
Arlington County Bar AssociationMember
2015 - Present
Virginia Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2012 - Present
Virginians for Alternatives to the Death PenaltyMember
2009 - 2011
Families and Allies of Virginia's YouthBoard Member
2007 - 2011
Beat the Odds, Alexandria Bar FoundationSelection Committee
Sample of Legal Cases
Commonwealth v. J.S.C.
Not guilty of murder
Brawner v. Commonwealth
Reversed
Commonwealth v. V.W.
Not guilty of murder, guilty of manslaughter; time served sentence
Commonwealth v. Andrew Gilbert Schmuhl
Commonwealth v. Mack Leon Wood
Guilty plea removing threat of capital punishment
Commonwealth v. Orellana
Defendant exonerated; conviction and 28-year sentence vacated
Education
2003
Columbia University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1998
University of Michigan
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2025
55th Annual Criminal Law Seminar
Presenting Mental Health Evidence in Non-Insanity Cases
2023
VACDL Annual Conference
Virginia's Judicial Inquiry & Review Commission: The JIRC We All Avoid (But Shouldn’t),
2022
Hampton Roads Social Justice Conference
Advocating for State-Level Criminal Justice Policy Reform in Virginia
2021
UVa Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy CLE
Using Mental Condition Evidence in Non-Insanity Cases
2021
Police Oversight & Accountability in Virginia
Power Corrupts: Police Misconduct as a Product of Excessive Police Powers
2021
82nd Annual Meeting of the Virginia State Bar
Criminal Legal Provisions of Virginia’s Marijuana Legalization Bill
2014
22nd Annual VBA Capital Defense Workshop
Litigating Snitches: From Reliability Hearings to Jury Instructions
2013
Hugh Wooding Law School Criminal Defense Lectures
The American Jury System
2013
21st Annual VBA Capital Defense Workshop
Challenging Cell Phone Location Evidence in Court
2011
Robert E. Shepherd Juvenile Law and Education Conference
Juvenile False Confessions
2009
Robert E. Shepherd Juvenile Law and Education Conference
Juvenile Trial Advocacy
Publications
2023
Richmond Public Interest Law Review
Ending Race-Based Pretextual Stops: Strategies For Eliminating America's Most Egregious Police Practice
2022
2022
Richmond Times-Dispatch
We Can’t Go Back to Broken Tail-Light Policing
2021
Washington Post
Virginia Criminal Justice Reform Leads to Campaign Fictions
2021
Washington Post
Va. Failed to Repeal Mandatory Minimums, But There’s Hope for Next Year
2020
Washington Post
Virginia Should Overhaul Its Arcane Jury Sentencing System
2020
2016
The Champion (VACDL)
Excluding Snitch Testimony: Reliability Hearings and Corroboration, Pt 2
2015
The Champion (VACDL)
Excluding Snitch Testimony: Reliability Hearings and Corroboration
2011
International Bridges to Justice Criminal Defense Wiki
Voir Dire
2011
International Bridges to Justice Criminal Defense Wiki
Cross-Examination
2003
Columbia Human Rights Law Review
The Right to Shelter as a Fundamental Interest Under the New York State Constitution
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Police question a 12 yr old Autistic child without parent/guardian present in the room or permission. Is this allowed?
02 Sep 2014
Q&A
Do attorneys have to tell the truth when you hire them
02 Sep 2014
Q&A
My son is 19 years old, he received a ticket for MIP a few months back we hired an attorney he got 6 months unsupervised
28 Aug 2014