Richard N. Shapiro (Rick) is a personal injury trial attorney, American inventor, and international award-winning fiction author. One of his co-authored legal treatises was published in the American Jurisprudence “Trials” Law Encyclopedia.
In addition to being a prolific inventor and author, Rick has obtained numerous professional accolades in the legal profession. He was named a 2022 Leader in the Law by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly. In September 2023, Rick was selected as a recipient of the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) 2023 President’s Award. Although many nominations were submitted nationwide, Rick was just one of eight attorneys chosen by the prestigious National Board, certifying civil trial attorneys across the U.S.
Rick was also recently named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2024 Virginia’s Go To Lawyers Medical Malpractice. The attorneys awarded this honor are nominated by their colleagues and chosen by a panel from the publication.
Each year since 2011, he has been included in the publication “The Best Lawyers In America” and received an “A.V.” Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a prominent legal rating service. He is board-certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification (ABA Accredited).
Rick has successfully litigated injury cases throughout the eastern United States, including wrongful death, trucking, faulty products, railroad, and medical negligence claims. He and his law firm have won settlements/verdicts of over $100 million.
Several of his cases have resulted in major legal precedents, having been appealed and decided favorably by state Supreme Courts in West Virginia and Tennessee and the federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
In addition to professional accolades, Rick is a leader in numerous legal organizations. He was twice elected chair of the Railroad Law section of the American Association for Justice and served as President of the Railroad Accident Division of the National Trial Lawyers Association. He has been an invited lecturer at numerous national lawyer seminars on trial practices and evidence law.
Rick is licensed to practice law in Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, and D.C. and admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Outside the personal injury field, Rick is also a prolific U.S. inventor, holding 18 U.S. patents related to folding wheel technology on consumer wagons, carts, jogging, and baby strollers. As a product designer and inventor, his inventions have been licensed to Radio Flyer wagons and other international consumer product companies.
Why does Rick edit this blog? Because victims and consumers need to understand that personal injury lawyers are not all the same: there are many types and experience levels. This is a way of “giving back” some intangible benefit without charging for it, but it also allows Rick to share health and safety knowledge and information that may benefit the public interest.
Professional Accolades
Education
Richard N. Shapiro received his college degree from the University of Maryland, served as staff assistant to U.S. Congressman Whitehurst, and graduated from George Mason Law School With Distinction. Rick also served as a member of the George Mason University Law Review from 1982-1984. He had an article published in the Law Review’s 1984 publication.
Presentations & Speeches
Prominent Reported Legal Decisions
Publications
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
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