Atty. Jonathan Petty
“He shielded me from further harm.” That’s how one client described her experience being represented by Attorney Jonathan Petty, who is known for his deep knowledge, professionalism, and approachability both in and out of the courtroom. For his first decade in practice, Jonathan represented doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies involved in complex medical malpractice litigation.
Catastrophic Injury & More Attorney · Serving Richmond, VA · 32+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Jonathan Petty at a Glance
Jonathan Petty is a Partner based in Richmond, Virginia, practicing at Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers. They have 32+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1994. Their practice focuses on car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and personal injury. Admitted to practice in Georgia (Inactive) (1994), U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia (1994), Virginia (1998), and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia (2001). Educated at Emory University School of Law (J.D., 1994) and Duke University (A.B. English, 1991). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serves clients in Richmond, VA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Jonathan Petty
- “He shielded me from further harm.” That’s how one client described her experience being represented by Attorney Jonathan Petty, who is known for his deep knowledge, professionalism, and approachability both in and out of the courtroom
- For his first decade in practice, Jonathan represented doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies involved in complex medical malpractice litigation
- He also worked with large corporations to defend wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases involving tractor-trailer accidents and product liability
- During that time, Jonathan gained valuable insight into how corporate entities and their legal teams defend these complicated cases
- Since 2004, Jonathan has applied the deep knowledge and experience he gained working on the defense side of litigation to represent ordinary people injured by car and truck accidents, medical malpractice, and defective products in Virginia
- He has successfully tried medical malpractice and personal injury cases to verdict in courts throughout Virginia, and he has handled cases on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts across the country
- The results he obtains for his clients are regularly listed among the annual “Largest Verdicts” reported in the Virginia Lawyers Weekly publication
- Jonathan is also committed to community service
- In 2017, Governor Terry McAuliffe appointed him to a three-year term on the Virginia Birth-Related Injury Compensation Program's Board of Directors
- He has also served on the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association's legislative, fundraising, and medical malpractice committees
- Jonathan was born in New York and raised in Charlottesville, Virginia
- After seven years practicing law in Georgia, he moved from Atlanta to Richmond with his wife, Sydney
- They currently live in the city with their two children
- In their free time, Jonathan and his family enjoy the outdoors, music, sports of all kinds, traveling, and cooking
- Awards and Recognition • Top 100: 2019 Virginia Super Lawyers • Virginia Super Lawyers Personal Injury Medical Malpractice, Plaintiff, 2019 • Listed in Super Lawyers, 2008 to present • Virginia Super Lawyers, Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice, 2008 to present • Best Lawyers in America, 2012–present • Virginia Super Lawyers, Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice, 2008 to present • Virginia’s Largest Verdicts of 2017, #4 ($2.4 million), as published in Virginia Lawyers Weekly • Top 50: 2017 Richmond Super Lawyers • Top 100: 2017 Virginia Super Lawyers • Top 50: 2014 Richmond Super Lawyers • Top 100: 2014 Virginia Super Lawyers • Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, Medical Malpractice Law — Plaintiffs, 2014 • Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2007 • Virginia Rising Stars, 2007 Professional Memberships • Board of Directors, Virginia Birth-Related Injury Compensation Program • Virginia Bar Association, 1998 to present • Georgia Bar Association, 1994 to present • Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Governors • American Association for Justice (AAJ) • Southern Trial Lawyers Association • Richmond Bar Association
Practice Areas Explained
Jonathan Petty's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Jonathan Petty handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Richmond.
Car Accidents in Richmond
Hurt in a car crash? Car accident lawyers fight insurance companies for fair compensation — free consult, no fee unless you win.
Jonathan Petty is one of 36,434 car accidents attorneys indexed nationally. Browse car accidents attorneys in Virginia →
Truck Accidents in Richmond
Jonathan Petty is one of 4,910 truck accidents attorneys indexed nationally. Browse truck accidents attorneys in Virginia →
Medical Malpractice in Richmond
Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.
Jonathan Petty is one of 48,593 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in Virginia →
Wrongful Death in Richmond
Jonathan Petty is one of 30,932 wrongful death attorneys indexed nationally. Browse wrongful death attorneys in Virginia →
Personal Injury in Richmond
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Jonathan Petty is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Virginia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Richmond
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 Richmond 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 venue, 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.
Richmond Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Richmond-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Virginia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Richmond or all attorneys in Virginia.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Richmond Choose Jonathan Petty
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Jonathan Petty's practice in the field of car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and personal injury.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Jonathan Petty brings 32+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Georgia (Inactive), U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, and Virginia, Jonathan Petty can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering car accidents, truck accidents, and medical malpractice, Jonathan Petty can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Richmond
A Richmond-based practice means Jonathan Petty attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Jonathan Petty Handles in Richmond
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Jonathan Petty has experience with under Virginia law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Jonathan Petty directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Jonathan Petty Online
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Jonathan Petty's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
Awards & Professional Honors
Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
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