Cardwell, Claire Grimmer

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