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Virginia Marie Buchanan

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Avvo Rating10
  • Pensacola, FL
  • Licensed for 33 years
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About Virginia

Virginia Buchanan is a shareholder at Levin, Papantonio, Rafferty, Proctor, Buchanan, O’Brian, Barr & Mougey, P.A., having joined the firm in 1989. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida in 1985, and received her Juris Doctorate Degree, with honors, from the University of Florida in 1989.

She has served as lead/co-lead counsel in more than 50 jury trials, with results exceeding $500 million. She has a national practice and works extensively in her local Pensacola and surrounding community. She is a member of Florida Super Lawyers and Florida Legal Elite, and listed by Martindale-Hubbell as a Top Rated Lawyer in Personal Injury. She has been repeatedly designated as a Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Top Consumer Lawyer.

Ms. Buchanan is a member of the American Association for Justice (formerly Association of Trial Lawyers of America), as well as the Florida Justice Association (“FJA”) (formerly Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers). She is a Distinguished Fellow and Eagle Member of FJA, and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2021. She has served on the Board of Directions of the Florida Bar Foundation and has been Treasurer of ABOTA, Chairperson of the Civil Process Server Grievance Committee and has been a member of the Chief Judge's Council on Children. She currently is a member of the Women's Caucus of the Florida Justice Association, and serves on The Florida Bar Ethics Committee.

Ms. Buchanan is a member of the American Bar Association, and has served as a member of the subcommittee of the American Bar Association on legislation affecting litigation and was appointed to a special committee of the American Bar Association on health care.

Ms. Buchanan has served on the Judicial Liaison Committee of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association and as a member of the Escambia-Santa Rosa County Bar Association Grievance Committee for attorney complaints, and has also been a member of the First Circuit Fee Arbitration Committee. She has served on the Women's Life Center Advisory Board to the West Florida Regional Medical Center and to the Board of Directors to the Shands Home Care Project.

While attending the University of Florida, Ms. Buchanan was a Bickel Scholar, Scripps-Howard Scholar and received several jurisprudence awards. She was selected to the University of Florida Moot Court Team and was a Finalist in the Florida Annual Moot Court Competition and Finalist in Benton National Moot Court Competition in Chicago, Illinois. She was selected to the Order of the Coif and to Phi Delta Phi, an honors fraternity, while in school.

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

1276650 1498677813

Contact

Levin Papantonio Rafferty

316 South Baylen Street
Pensacola, FL, 32502

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
ALOccupational License - Authorized to Practice199704/28/2022
FLMember in Good Standing198902/23/2022
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers0
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate Granted
Nominee for the Trial Lawyer of the Year AwardPublic Justice AssociationN/A
Florida "Legal Elite"Florida Trend MagazineN/A
Florida Super LawyersSuper Lawyers MagazineN/A
AV Preeminent RatedMartindale-HubbellN/A
associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Academy of Trial AdvocacyMemberN/A
American Board of Trial AdvocatesFormer Treasurer, Current MemberN/A
Florida Justice AssociationMemberN/A
International Society of BarristersFellowN/A
The National Trial LawyersMemberN/A
publications
Publication nameTitleDate
The Ring of Fire NetworkSurgical Malpractice Associated With Surgeons Inexperience2013
The National Trial Lawyer MagazineAmerican Cancer Society Issues Controversial Guideline to Try to Reduce Lung Cancer Deaths2013
The Ring of Fire NetworkRecent Study Shows Malpractice Claims Decreasing2012
The Ring of Fire NetworkJudge Finds Dirty Medical Equipment Caused Vet’s Illness2012
The Ring of Fire NetworkSevere Injuries From Patients Falling Out of Bed Due in Part to Inadequate Prevention Methods Used by Hospitals2012
Florida Justice Association JournalJury Verdicts: Please Don't Take My Sunshine Away2007
Academy of Florida Trial LawyersKids Will Be Kids...Legal Liability for the Misdeeds of Minors: Who Pays for Junior's Torts?2006
Academy of Florida Trial LawyersJudicial Misconduct - Is the Judge Misbehaving?2006
Academy of Florida Trial LawyersI Always Feel Like Somebody's Watching Me2006
Academy of Florida Trial LawyersThe Florida Bar's Legal Fee Arbitration Program: Is it Right for You?2006
Academy of Florida Trial LawyersWhen Defendant's Seek to Recover Private Information From Plaintiff's Non-Party Family Members; What We Should Do To Fight It2005
Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers JournalA Fresh Look at Anti-Dumping Claims: Why It Is Worth Your While2005
Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers JournalDiscovering Personnel Records: Who Can Object?2004
The SummationSummary of the 2003 Medical Malpractice Legislation; Major Impacts from the Plaintiff Perspective and From the Defense Perspective2004
Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers JournalWhen Defendants Don't Pay on Time2003
Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers JournalWhen the Hospital Has to Pay for a Doctor's Mistakes2003
Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers JournalPerils and Pitfalls; Moving into the 21st Century Computer Software and other Jury Selection Aids2002
Trial Diplomacy JournalFalse Claims1993
education
School nameDegreeGraduated
University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of LawJD - Juris Doctor1989
University of Florida, Journalism CollegeBS - Bachelor of Science1985
speaking engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Symposium on Medical MalpracticeMedical, Legal and Ethical Aspects of Pain Management in Florida2016
Best Practices in Medical MalpracticeExpert Requirements2015
Masters of JusticeMedical Malpractice2014
Mass Torts Made Perfect Annual ConferenceBCBS MDL: History, Status, Future, Discovery Planning & Cost Management2013
Symposium on Medical Malpractice"History of Medical Malpractice," "Ways to Avoid Litigation," and "How a Plaintiff's Attorney Approaches a Medical Malpractice Case."2008
Florida Justice Association seminarEthical Considerations for the Paralegal2007
Academy of Florida Trial LawyersPreparing and Presenting Your Expert Witness in a Contested Liability Case2005
Northwest Florida Paralegal AssociationProfessionalism and Ethics2004
Inner Circle of InvestigatorsThe Essential Role of the Legal Investigator In The Development of Damages for Mediation and Trial2004
Association of Operating Room NursesNursing Malpractice1998

Reviews

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Attorney endorsements

(14)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer
Lawyer Sally Bussell Fox

Sally Fox, Personal injury Attorney on Dec 19, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer Jack Enrique De La Piedra

Jack De La Piedra, Medical malpractice Attorney on Mar 17, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Virginia is one of those genuinely good souls who doesn't put on airs or pretend to be someone she's not. She has one of the most impressive professional resumes I've ever read, but you would never know it just talking to her because that is the kind of person she is. I could not proffer a higher endorsement of her.

Lawyer Sally Bussell Fox

Sally Fox, Personal injury Attorney on Dec 19, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer Jack Enrique De La Piedra

Jack De La Piedra, Medical malpractice Attorney on Mar 17, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Virginia is one of those genuinely good souls who doesn't put on airs or pretend to be someone she's not. She has one of the most impressive professional resumes I've ever read, but you would never know it just talking to her because that is the kind of person she is. I could not proffer a higher endorsement of her.

Lawyer James Chase

James Chase, Wrongful death Attorney on Oct 5, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I have worked with Virginia Buchanan on many wrongful death cases. She is a very caring and compassionate attorney and takes the best interest of her client to heart. I would not only use Virginia if the need arose personally, but I highly recommend her if you are in need of this type of legal service.

Lawyer Wayne Cameron Stephenson

Wayne Stephenson, Medical malpractice Attorney on Apr 1, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer James M Corrigan

James Corrigan, Medical malpractice Attorney on Jan 26, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Virginia is among the top five medical malpractice trial lawyers in Florida. She practices with integrity and compassion and will not be out-worked.

Lawyer Scott Charles Barnes

Scott Barnes, Medical malpractice Attorney on Jan 22, 2015
Relationship: Worked for lawyer

Virginia is an amazing lawyer that I had the pleasure of working with for several years. Her legal skill is impeccable and her grasp of complex medical issues is remarkable. However, what really sets her apart is her compassion and understanding of her clients' problems. She utilizes her unique skill set every day to make her clients' lives better during their difficult times.

Lawyer Wesley Andrew Bowden

Wesley Bowden, Unknown Attorney on Dec 12, 2013
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer David Allen Hallman

David Hallman, Personal injury Attorney on Jun 29, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. From the moment I first met this woman, I knew she was bound for greatness. Extraordinary attorney and consumate professional.

Lawyer Rachael Raymon Gilmer

Rachael Gilmer, Medical malpractice Attorney on Jun 26, 2013
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer. She does an amazing job.

No photo

Michael Blanchard, Medical malpractice Attorney on Jun 6, 2013
Relationship: Co-worker

One of the most knowledgeable and experienced medical malpractice lawyers in the country. An excellent trial attorney. See her official Bio for details of her accomplishments. www.levinlaw.com.

Lawyer Kristen Marks

Kristen Marks, Estate planning Attorney on Jun 6, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer Troy Alan Rafferty

Troy Rafferty, Unknown Attorney on Jun 5, 2013
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer Autumn Beck Blackledge

Autumn Blackledge, Medical malpractice Attorney on Aug 12, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer's work.

Lawyer Robert Newton Heath Jr.

Robert Heath, Personal injury Attorney on Jun 12, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Virginia has been one of the brightest stars in Florida legal practice for several years. She has a statewide reputation for excellence and is a fierce advocate for any client who is fortunate enough to have her as his attorney. I highly recommend her.

Cost

RATES
  • Contingency A contingency fee is the percent of the final award a lawyer will receive as compensation. For some of these cases, lawyers will only be paid if there is a successful outcome.20%-40%