David J. Pierce is a partner with the law firm of Pierce & Thornton, PLC. David has 40 years of trial experience in medical malpractice and general personal injury litigation including motor vehicle accidents. Prior to co-founding Pierce & Thornton in 1997, Mr. Pierce was a partner in the largest law firm in eastern Virginia where he defended physicians, nurses and hospitals in malpractice litigation. He also conducted a general insurance defense practice including auto accident claims. This defense experience gives David a unique and distinct advantage in his plaintiff’s practice.
David has obtained numerous substantial verdicts and settlements in a wide variety of personal injury actions. David litigates cases throughout Virginia and associates on cases with other attorneys throughout the country. David obtained a $700,000.00 verdict in the Circuit Court for the City of Virginia Beach in his first plaintiff’s medical malpractice trial. David has obtained some of the largest verdicts and settlements in medical negligence actions throughout Virginia and has had his cases reported in newspapers and trade journals.
David graduated with honors from the University of Virginia in 1981 and the T. C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond in 1984 where he was selected a member of the Law Review. David has published articles in law journals and is a contributing author to the book, “Medical Malpractice Law in Virginia”. He has lectured on legal topics for the Virginia Continuing Legal Education Committee and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, as well as numerous civic groups, and served on the executive committee of a Virginia Bar Association Specialty Practice Group. David has been named a “Virginia Super Lawyer” by Law & Politics Magazine and Richmond Magazine every year since 2007.
David considers it a privilege to represent individuals and their families whose lives have been altered by the negligence of others. David will work as long and as hard as is necessary to obtain favorable results for his clients. As one of his clients recently wrote following the completion of his case, “Mr. Pierce is distinguished by the thoroughness and depth of his preparation. We were impressed at the start of our case and at the conclusion we were beyond satisfied with the results.”
In 2023, David was named one of “Virginia’s Go To Lawyers” for medical malpractice by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly. Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly describes a “go to lawyer” as a lawyer who is an expert in his/her field, well versed in the nuances of the case law, statutes and regulations clients will encounter. A lawyer who is experienced and enjoys a record of success with many cases that give testimony to the quality advice he/she can provide. A lawyer to whom other lawyers make referrals because of his/her expertise and accomplishments. A lawyer who can think creatively and identify all options for a client and a lawyer other lawyers would name when a friend requests a medical malpractice lawyer.
David has achieved an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell. Martindale-Hubbell describes an AV rating as the highest peer review legal ability rating that an individual lawyer can receive. The rating signifies “pre-imminent legal ability” and “the highest ethical standards.” It is considered a “testament” to the attorney’s professional confidence, experience and integrity. Mr. Pierce has been named to the National Trial Lawyers; Top 100. He is also a member of the Etheridge Society, an esteemed, invitation only, inner circle of leading attorneys specializing in plaintiff’s medical negligence litigation in Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Recent Lectures
Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Expert Witnesses CLE
Richmond, Virginia