Atty. Jonathan L. Thornton
Jonathan Thornton has been a trial lawyer in Virginia for 34 years. His practice focuses on serious automobile and trucking accidents, medical negligence, wrongful death, and traumatic brain injury cases.
Profile Summary
About Jonathan L. Thornton at a glance
Jonathan L. Thornton is a Partner based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, practicing at Pierce & Thornton PLC. They have 36+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1990. Their practice focuses on car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, motorcycle, and tbi/sci. Admitted to practice in Virginia (1990) and North Carolina (2001). Educated at University of Virginia (J.D., 1990) and Washington & Lee University (B.A., 1987). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Virginia Bar Association Federal Bar Association American Association for Justice Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Norfolk-Portsmouth Bar Association Virginia Beach Bar Association (Executive Board, 2010 – 2013 President, 2014) Etheridge Society. Serands clients in Virginia Beach, VA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Jonathan Thornton has been a trial lawyer in Virginia for 34 years
- His practice focuses on serious automobile and trucking accidents, medical negligence, wrongful death, and traumatic brain injury cases
- He is licensed to practice in Virginia and in North Carolina
- Jon has consistently been recognized by his peers as a Virginia Super Lawyer every year since 2007, which is an honor given to 5% of the attorneys practicing in Virginia
- He has also been regularly named, based on peer-to-peer surveys, by Coastal Virginia Magazine as a top attorney since 2016
- Jon was previously recognized as one of the Top Ten Young Lawyers in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia
- He has obtained medical malpractice verdicts and settlements that have been listed among the largest verdicts obtained in Virginia and neighboring states, with his results reported in local media and legal publications
- Jon earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, from Washington & Lee University, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa
- He graduated from the University of Virginia Law School and was then appointed as a federal law clerk to United States District Judge John A. McKenzie in Norfolk
- Following his judicial clerkship, Jon practiced law for six years with the largest law firm in Southeastern Virginia where he handled primarily personal injury, medical negligence cases, and business litigation
- In 1997, he co-founded Pierce & Thornton, PLC, a law firm dedicated solely to representing the rights of the severely injured individuals and surviving family members in wrongful death cases
- Jon was nominated by his peers to an inner circle of leading attorneys who represent patients and their families in medical negligence cases in Virginia
- Jon is also an active member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, where he has served on the Medical Malpractice Legislative Subcommittee and as a member of the Board of Governors
- Additionally, Jon has been honored to serve on the Executive Board and as the President of the Virginia Beach Bar Association
- Jon has frequently lectured on medical malpractice issues before the Virginia Beach Bar Association, the Norfolk Portsmouth Bar Association, to pre-medical students at Washington & Lee University, to medical residents graduating from the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center and Eastern Virginia Medical School programs, and to Physician Assistants at Eastern Virginia Medical School
- Jon has been awarded Martindale-Hubbell’s “AV Preeminent” rating by his peers, who include lawyers and judges, signifying that he meets the very highest level of professional excellence for legal knowledge, legal experience, communication skills, and ethical standards
- In being recognized for this honor, Jon’s peers, including opposing counsel, have said the following: “Jonathan’s intellect and keen legal ability quickly gain the trust and confidence of his clients and opposing counsel
- Jonathan is one of the best litigators I have encountered in over 20 years of practicing law.” – and – “Mr
- Thornton is one of the best I’ve worked against
- He is professional and knowledgeable and represents his clients well, while maintaining a friendly working relationship with his adversaries – a hard balance to strike
- I wouldn’t hesitate to refer even my family members to him.” In fact, many of Jon’s clients have been referred to him by former clients and/or their family members, and also by former opposing counsel in cases he has taken to trial or mediation
- In addition to his trial practice in Virginia and North Carolina, Jon has successfully partnered with co-counsel in trying or resolving cases in numerous other jurisdictions, including Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia, California, Washington, D.C., Colorado, Georgia, and Florida
- Jon views his role as a trial attorney as one of not only fighting to obtain fair and full compensation for his clients, but also of counseling and providing answers to individuals who have had catastrophic events occur in their lives
- When Jon accepts your case, he is personally committed to you and your family from the initial investigation through the trial
- As one of his former clients stated after Jon had successfully resolved his son’s case traumatic brain injury case, “It’s more than a case to Jon – he represents you as if it happened to him.” Another client, whose family he represented in a wrongful death case commented, “Through the entire process, I always felt trust and confidence in [Jon’s] judgment
- I was very proud to have had [Jon] represent me in the courtroom.” Jon credits his clients and their families for enabling him to successfully try, mediate, and settle many significant medical malpractice, motor vehicle collision, wrongful death, traumatic brain injury, and catastrophic injury cases on their behalf
Practice Areas Explained
Jonathan L. Thornton's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Jonathan L. Thornton handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Hurt in a car crash? Car accident lawyers fight insurance companies for fair compensation — free consult, no fee unless you win.
Jonathan L. Thornton is one of 36,807 car accidents attorneys indexed nationally. Browse car accidents attorneys in Virginia →
Jonathan L. Thornton is one of 4,975 truck accidents attorneys indexed nationally. Browse truck accidents attorneys in Virginia →
Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.
Jonathan L. Thornton is one of 49,086 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in Virginia →
Jonathan L. Thornton is one of 11,237 motorcycle attorneys indexed nationally. Browse motorcycle attorneys in Virginia →
Jonathan L. Thornton is one of 10,267 tbi/sci attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tbi/sci attorneys in Virginia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Virginia
Practicing law in Virginia. Legal matters in Virginia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Virginia Beach are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Virginia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Virginia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Virginia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Virginia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Virginia Beach or all attorneys in Virginia.
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