Gerard Matthew Virga Jr.

Gerard Matthew Virga Jr.

4.2
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 21 years

Family Lawyer at Panama City, FL
Practice Areas: Family, Divorce & Separation, Child Custody ... +3 more

415 Richard Jackson Blvd, Suite 500, Panama City, FL

About Gerard

Biography

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 21 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 2004

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

The Virga Law Firm, P.A.

415 Richard Jackson Blvd, Suite 500, Panama City, FL, 32407

The Virga Law Firm, P.A.

109 E. Garden St, Suite B, Pensacola, FL, 32502

The Virga Law Firm, P.A.

1800 Pembrook Drive, Suite #160, Orlando, FL, 32810

The Virga Law Firm, P.A.

134 Eglin Pkwy NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32548

The Virga Law Firm, P.A.

455 Harrison Ave, Suite E, Panama City, FL, 32401

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Gerard Matthew Virga Jr.'s Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.2 /5.0

21 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (21) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by anonymous | July 16, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Family

Mr. Virga is known as the man to call for a divorce for a reason

Gerard is known as the absolute best in family law for a reason. He really does work tirelessly on your case and cares. Not to mention, he is the equivalent to a walking law library. The man truly knows his stuff and is a beast in the courtroom. He has 20 years of experience in family law and it show...s.

Posted by anonymous | August 13, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Family

There should be fireworks in the street right now

Gerard Virga will provide you with an unsurpassed expertise in law. To say that he is gifted in litigation would be an understatement of the highest degree. No other firm can match the value and legal craftsmanship which you will receive. I had one of the most unique family law cases in the history o...f Bay County. I'd have given myself a 1% chance at success and redemption when my case began and that's being generous. Mr. Virga and Chris Melendez guided me to a victory which was otherwise unobtainable in any other format. The strategies employed were right out of Perry Mason infused with a twist of Liar Liar. Opposing counsel was rendered useless in its attempts to overcome the absolute genius coupled with some well timed humor from my counsel. He provides what is needed to be successful if you follow his guidance and not your own, remember, we come to Virga Law for help, so just follow their lead and leave your pride and your law degree at home. Don't think that you are the only person they are helping, have faith and patience. A wonderful staff and team of attorneys awaits even the most broken and dark circumstances, no one can attest to that better than I. If it was not for a miraculous answer of a call to Mr. Virga on a Saturday afternoon, my story may have been much different. Choosing Gerard was the best decision I could have possibly made.

Posted by anonymous | March 31, 2015

Awesome Lawyer

Knowledge is key and Gerard has it. On numerous occasions he has helped my family with various legal matters and has always steered us right.

Posted by James | March 26, 2015

An amazing family law attorney!

Gerard handles cases quickly and with very precise understandings of how the law works! He is current on a great many statutes, has a good rapport with other attorneys, and is very informative of how his process will work, how long my case would take, and what to expect the whole way through! I can h...onestly say I had an enjoyable experience working with Gerard and would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a competent attorney in the Panama City area!

See All Client Reviews

Gerard Matthew Virga Jr.'s Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Gerard
Christopher Luis Melendez headshot
Christopher Melendez

Family lawyer | Jan 06

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"Gerard is my supervising attorney and lead partner of my firm. Gerard demonstrated to me an incredible amount of knowledge about family and criminal law, and had the answer to every question I had as an attorney starting in family law. Gerard cares about his community and has led numerous charity events since my start there two years ago. Gerard is a model attorney and boss, sharing his knowledge, and demonstrating zealous advocacy and compassion for his clients, and participation in the community that employs us."

Michael Ray Goodson headshot
Michael Goodson

Family lawyer | Jan 03

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I whole-heartedly endorse this lawyer. Mr. Virga is a compassionate and dedicated attorney, who truly cares about his clients. I have seen Mr. Virga address client concerns at all hours of the day and personally invest himself in their legal issues."

Eric Ray Garmon headshot
Eric Garmon

Family lawyer | Apr 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Gerard is a fantastic attorney. I have referred many clients and friends who have family law issues to his law firm. If you ever need help with a family law issue, look no further!"

JerriLynn Hadley headshot
JerriLynn Hadley

Family lawyer | Sep 12

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer.Gerard is a man of integrity. He cares about his clients and works hard for them. He is an amazing strategist. His knowledge of Family Law is far above his contemporaries."

Adam James Ellis headshot
Adam Ellis

General practice lawyer | Feb 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Gerard is smarter than 95% of people I know, including lawyers. His intelligence combined with his work ethic make him an extremely effective advocate. Gerard is the kind of evil genius I'd want on my side heading into a courtroom battle."

Rusty Shepard headshot
Rusty Shepard

Litigation lawyer | Jan 30

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Gerard is a brilliant attorney; truly he is one of the smartest people I have met. I have found Gerard very knowledgeable on law and legal procedure, and am extremely impressed by his ability to devise and execute an aggressive legal strategy. I think it is fair to say that if you get caught in a foxhole, Gerard Virga is the guy you want to have with you!"

Joseph E Turner headshot
Joseph Turner

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jan 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I regularly refer family law and civil litigation cases to Mr. Virga because of his skill and knowledge of those areas of law. The clients I refer to Mr. Virga are always satisfied with and complimentary of his services."

View All Endorsements
Seth J. Rutman headshot
Seth Rutman

Divorce and separation lawyer

Raymond J. Rafool II headshot
Raymond Rafool

Divorce and separation lawyer

Robert Foster Boyette headshot
Robert Boyette

Divorce and separation lawyer

Jason Chad Self headshot
Jason Self

Family lawyer

William Joseph Ritchie headshot
William Ritchie

Divorce and separation lawyer

David G Lohr headshot
David Lohr

Divorce and separation lawyer

Joseph Aaron Baker headshot
Joseph Baker

Divorce and separation lawyer

Michael Ray Goodson headshot
Michael Goodson

Family lawyer

JerriLynn Hadley headshot
JerriLynn Hadley

Child custody lawyer

Douglas Blake Dykes headshot
Douglas Dykes

Car accident lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2018

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

10 Best, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys

2016

Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2015

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2015

Top 100 Criminal Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2014

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2014

Top 100 Criminal Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2008

Outstanding Pro Bono Service, Florida Supreme Court

2007

Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award, Florida Supreme Court

2004

Honors Attorney Position, Attorney General Charlie Crist

2003

Associate Editor, American Journal of Trial Advocacy

2002

Vulcan Materials Legal Writing Award, American Journal of Trial Advocacy

Work Experience

2015 - Present

Lead Attorney, The Virga Law Firm, P.A.

2007 - 2015

Partner Attorney, Virga Law Offices, P.A.

2003 - 2003

Law Clerk to Senator Jeff Sessions, United State's Senator

Associations

2014 - Present

National Trial Lawyers Association

Top 100 Trial Lawyers

2013 - Present

Florida Association of Criminal Defense LawFACDLE

Attorney Member

2013 - Present

Florida Bar, Family Law Section

Attorney Member

2004 - Present

Florida Bar

Member

Federal District Court Northern District Court of Florida

Member

2006 - 2008

Bay County Bar Association

First Saturday Legal Clinic

Sample of Legal Cases

Joe Francis and Girl's Gone Wild Federal Civil Case

Defense Verdict

Lee v. State of Florida

Reversed and Remanded

State v. Ouzt

Judgment of Acquittal

SMITH v. STATE 993 So.2d 588 (2008)

. AFFIRMED in part, REVERSED in part,

See More Legal Cases

Education

2004

Samford University, Cumberland School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

2000

University of Florida

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2014

Women League of Voters

Judicial Qualifications and Ethics

2014

Optimist Club Breakfast

Judicial Ethics and Qualifications

2014

Lecture on Family Law and Probate

Family Law and Probate

2014

Kiwanis Club Luncheon

Family Law and the Judicial Process

2014

Forum

Role of the Judicial System

2014

Concerned Citizens of America

The role of the judicial system

2014

Bay County Bar Association Judicial Qualifications

2012

Morning News

Alimony Reform in Florida

2011

Evening News

Florida Divorce Rates

Publications

2002

American Journal of Trial Advocacy UNITED STATES V. GRICCO: EXPERT TESTIMONY CONCERNING HANDWRITING ANALYSIS--SCIENCE OR JUNK?

Languages

English

Spanish

Activity

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