Claire Grimmer Cardwell Richmond, Virginia
| Partner | |
| phone | (804) 359-0000 |
| fax | (804) 257-5555 |
| Email Me | |
Claire G. Cardwell graduated in the top of her class from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond. For the first ten years of her career, Cardwell maintained a busy private practice trying hundreds of cases throughout Virginia in state and federal courts. In 1994, Cardwell was named Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney for the City of Richmond, where for the next eight years she tried homicide and other high profile cases. Since returning to private practice in 2002 she has concentrated on criminal defense trials and appeals, personal injury and other general litigation.
Career Highlights:
More than 24 years experience on both sides of the courtroom:
Former Chief Deputy Commonwealth s Attorney for the City of Richmond for 8 years; Defense attorney and litigator in private practice for 16 years.
Featured on the cover of " Style Magazine " for her aggressive style and extensive experience in high profile criminal cases
Profiled on WWBT Channel 12 as one of Richmond's top criminal trial lawyers
Featured in Richmond Magazine as one of Richmond's best lawyers as selected by other Richmond lawyers
Voted one of Richmonds Super Lawyers by other attorneys in the area for 3 consecutive years.
Honored by the Women's Richmond Metropolitan Bar Association with the Women of Achievement Award for outstanding achievement in her field
Nominated for YWCA Outstanding Women Award in the field of Law
Recipient of the City of Richmond Public Commendation for Exemplary Performance in successfully prosecuting the death penalty case of one of Richmond's most notorious killers, Christopher Goins
Co-Counsel for the defense in United States v. Darrell Rice a federal death penalty case wherein the United States Attorney took the unprecedented step of dismissing the charges after two years of defense investigation and pre-trial motions
21 years as Adjunct Faculty Professor, T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond , teaching advanced trial practice techniques to students aspiring to become trial lawyers
Regularly invited to teach and speak at seminars and training classes around the state for other trial attorneys, private investigators and law enforcement personnel.
Appointed by the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission as Interim Capital Defender for the Central Region
- Education:
- University of Richmond, The T.C. Williams School of Law, Richmond, Virginia,
1984
J.D.
Law Review: University of Richmond Law Review, 1981 - 1984 - University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia,
1980
B.A.
Honors: With Distinction
Major: English
- Representative Cases:
- Co-Counsel United States v. Darrell Rice (2004)
- Co-Counsel in Commonwealth of Virginia v. Ray Dandrige (2007)
- Co-Counsel Commonwealth v. Darrell Rice (2005)
- United States v. Purnell Peace (co-defendant to Michael Vick in federal dog-fighting & gambling case) (2007)
- Classes/Seminars Taught:
- Adjunct Faculty Professor, Teaching Advanced Trial Practice Techniques to Students Aspiring to Become Trial Lawyers, T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond
- Guest Lecturer, Virginia State Bar Association
- Guest Lecturer, The Richmond Criminal Bar Association
- Guest Lecturer, Metropolitan Richmond Women's Bar Association
- Guest Lecturer, The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission
- Guest Lecturer, The University of Richmond School of Law (Criminal Procedure, Death Penalty Cases)
- Teaching "Advanced Trial Practice as an adjunct faculty member, University of Richmond Law School
- Guest Lecturer, American Bar Association
- Honors and Awards:
- Women of Achievement Award, Women's Richmond Metropolitan Bar Association
- Profiled on WWBT Channel 12 as one of Richmond's Top Criminal Lawyers
- Nominee, YWCA Outstanding Women Award
- Recipient, Richmond Public Commendation for Exemplary Performance
- Richmond's Best Lawyers, Richmond Magazine
- Featured on the Cover of "Style Magazine", for her Aggressive Style and Extensive Experience in High Profile Criminal Cases
- Voted one of Richmond's Super Lawyers by other attorneys in the area for 3 consecutive years
- Professional Associations and Memberships:
- Women's Richmond Metropolitan Bar Association, 1984 - Present
- Member
- Richmond Criminal Bar Association, 1984 - Present
- Member
- Richmond Bar Association, 1984 - Present
- Member
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 1984 - Present
- Member
- Past Employment Positions:
- Robinson Cardwell & Robinson PLLC, Partner, 2002 - 2004
- City of Richmond, Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney, 1994 - 2002
- Claire G. Cardwell & Associates, 1989 - 1994
- David P. Baugh & Associates, 1985 - 1989
- Pro Bono Activities:
- Board Member, Housing Opportunities Made Equal, 1986 - Present
- Board Member, Virginia Capital Representation Resource Center
