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Christopher J. Pitera
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Biography
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Chris Pitera is a trial attorney practicing personal injury law at the firm of Cannella & O’Neal. Chris represents persons who have been injured through no fault of their own in courts throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. He is an experienced, passionate, and effective attorney-advocate. His main focus is promoting his clients’ total recovery. To that end, he works tirelessly and zealously so that his clients can obtain the best possible recovery in their case.
Prior to joining Cannella & O’Neal, Chris was an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office. In that capacity, he has tried numerous civil cases to verdict, settled hundreds more, and recovered millions of dollars for his clients. Among other things, Chris handled property damage claims on behalf of the Virginia Department of Transportation. He also handled hundreds of medical lien reductions on behalf of MCV Hospital, so he understands how to best maximize recoveries for plaintiffs.
Chris is a member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Virginia State Bar – Young Lawyers Conference, Richmond Bar Association, and American Bar Association.
Chris has the highest rating of “Top Attorney” and received the Clients’ Choice Award for 2016 through 2020. He was named 2021 Virginia Rising Star by SuperLawyers.
Chris received his undergraduate degree from the State University of New York – Stony Brook, where he graduated magna cum laude and a member of the prestigious Honors College. Before going to law school, Chris was a White House and Congressional intern. He went on to receive his law degree from Liberty University School of Law, where he was the Student Works Editor for the Liberty Legal Journal, member and traveling competitor of the Moot Court Board, Vice-Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Board, and elected among his peers as 2L Senator. He also received the distinguished Spirit of Liberty Award, an honor granted by the faculty to one graduating law student.
In addition to his formal education, Chris has received Certificates of Training from the National Trial Advocacy College (Charlottesville, VA), NAAGTRI Depositions Training Course (Santa Fe, NM), and the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (Staunton, VA).
Chris resides in the greater Richmond area with his wife and two children.
Injured in Virginia? Make it my fight. Experienced and dedicated Attorney Pitera is here for you.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Personal Injury
33%
Car Accident
32%
Trucking Accident
15%
Motorcycle Accident
10%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Contingency
33%-40%
Awards
2022 2020 2019
...
+
3
Licenses
Licensed in Virginia for 14 years
State: Virginia
Acquired: 2011
No misconduct found
Location
Cannella & O'Neal
(804) 409-7963
Mobile
(804) 780-0680
Fax
Bank of America Building, 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1900, Richmond, VA, 23219
imaginejustice.com/about-us/our-attorneys/christopher-pitera-esq/Online Presence
Other places you can find Christopher online.
Christopher J. Pitera's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
59 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (59)
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Practice Areas
Showing 6 - 10 of 10 reviews | Compassion
Posted by Shannon | May 05, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Workers Compensation
One Happy Client
I am grateful to have been represented by Cannella & O’Neal and Chris handling my case. Chris was very professional, accessible, trustworthy, and compassionate. At one point, I was experiencing great discouragement with my injuries and worker’s comp and Chris was there to encourage me and ensured th...
Posted by Victoria Jean | December 14, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Car Accidents
Hire Chris!
Chris graciously helped me during a very stressful time when I was involved in an auto accident. He is one of the most empathetic, best listeners, and kindest souls that you will ever come across. Trust him to take care of your case from start to end with no details forgotten.
Posted by anonymous | December 02, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Insurance
5 Star Service!
My lawyer went above and beyond to make sure that I was satisfied in every way! Even when the insurance company company denied my claim. He continued to reassure me that everything was going to be OK. He eventually got my claim approved and never gave up! The entire firm is now my now new adopted la...
Posted by anonymous | November 08, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Car Accidents
Excellent service
Chris was an excellent representative for me after my car accident. I felt comfortable asking him questions and contacting him as needed. He was extremely thorough and hardworking. At the end of the case, I was extremely grateful for how Chris strategized and tried his best to ensure that I was treat...
Posted by Stella | April 10, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Great lawyer
It was a great pleasure to have Mr. Pitera as my attorney. When he took my case he began to work immediately and I was very pleased with the outcome. He always kept me informed, he returned my calls quickly, and he really cares about his clients.
Christopher J. Pitera's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have known Chris for many years, including our time in the same legal office and working in different legal offices. Chris is a compassionate, dedicated, and effective lawyer, putting 100% of his attention and effort into every case he handles. Chris possesses a keen and unique eye for finding the winning legal strategy and is a formidable ally and opponent. Clients who hire Chris act wisely. I certainly would hire him as my personal lawyer any day of the week."
"I endorse this Chris. I have known Chris for some time and he has always been as smart as he is aggressive. I have no doubt that Chris is capable of handling anything in front of him. Chris approaches the practice of law with tenacity and really takes the time to explain the process to his clients because he cares about them."
"Chris is a bright, dedicated and determined warrior for accident victims. He will not (and does not) give up until justice is served, and cares deeply about the best outcome for his clients. I highly recommend him."
"I've worked with Chris a couple of times and I have always found him to be an excellent lawyer who knew his case file backwards and forwards."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have had cases with Chris and he was always well prepared and represented his client zealously but was always fair to deal with."
"I have known Chris since law school, and I cannot say enough about his character. He is an honest and diligent attorney."
"Mr. Pitera is a very effective negotiator. He did an excellent job representing a client who was holding a lien in a personal injury case. I found Chris to be cooperative and pleasant to work with. We were able to reach a resolution that was in the best interest of all parties."
"I endorse this lawyer. Chris is an excellent attorney. He does great work for his clients."
Nicholas Simopoulos
Unknown lawyer
Keith Marcus
Personal injury lawyer
Michael Gumprecht
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Matthew Lastrapes
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Craig Follis
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Joel McClellan
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William Tinch
Personal injury lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2024
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2023
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2022
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2021
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2020
2020 Client Choice Award, Avvo
2019
2019 Client Choice Award, Avvo
2018
2018 Client Choice Award, Avvo
2017
Significant Service Award, Virginia State Bar
2017
2017 Client Choice Award, Avvo
2016
2016 Client's Choice Award, Avvo
2011
Spirit of Liberty Award, Liberty University School of Law
2011
Pro Bono Award, Liberty University School of Law
Work Experience
2016 - Present
Associate Trial Attorney, Cannella & O'Neal
2013 - 2016
Assistant Attorney General, Office Of The Attorney General Of Virginia
2011 - 2013
Associate Attorney, RTJ Law Group PLLC
Associations
2020 - Present
United States Supreme CourtAdmitted to Practice
2014 - Present
United States District Court for the Eastern District of VirginiaAdmitted to Practice
2014 - Present
United States District Court for the Western District of VirginiaAdmitted to Practice
2013 - Present
Richmond Bar AssociationMember
2011 - Present
Virginia Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
2011 - Present
Virginia State BarMember
2011 - Present
Virginia State Bar, Young Lawyers ConferenceChairperson
2011 - Present
Supreme Court of VirginiaAdmitted to Practice
2013 - 2016
National Association of Attorneys GeneralMember
Sample of Legal Cases
$677,070.25 - Settlement (Personal Injury/Auto)
Settlement
$200,000 — Settlement (Personal Injury/Car Accident)
Settlement
$850,000.00 – Settlement involving a complex property damage claim.
$650,000.00 – Settlement involving a complex property damage claim.
$350,000.00 – 80 year-old physically assaulted
$250,000.00 – Settlement for Elderly Man Who Suffered a Serious Knee Injury
$195,000.00 – Settlement for client who was struck by a drunk driver.
Education
2015
National Trial Advocacy College
Certificate
2011
Liberty University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2008
State University of New York, Stony Brook
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2018
Annual Structure and Bridge Leadship Conference
Maximizing Recoveries in Tort Claims against Tractor-Trailer Defendants
2016
Professional Development Confernece
CLE Co-Chair
2016
Office of the Attorney General of Virginia Internal Training
Trying Property Damage Cases in Virginia
Publications
2017
www.christopherpitera.com
10 Step Process for Handling Your Personal Injury Case
2017
www.christopherpitera.com
4 Important Steps to Take After Being Involved in an Accident
2016
www.christopherpitera.com
TIps on Requesting a Medical Lien Reduction With the Virginia Attorney General's Office
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
I was involved in a auto accident 1 year ago . I was a passenger and was injured ?
12 Aug 2023
Q&A
Am I at fault? I was in an accident and got a citation for failure to yield, even though my vision was obstructed.
19 May 2023
Q&A
How much is my personal injury case (Arlington, Virginia) worth?
16 May 2023