For more than 37 years, Richard Serpe has represented victims of personal injuries and dangerous products. Mr. Serpe has earned a reputation as a well-respected, hard-working attorney with a tenacious approach to every case.
Richard Serpe is frequently associated with complex litigation, managing cases with difficult scientific and medical issues. Mr. Serpe has experience managing large case cohorts, including the extensive use of database and litigation support software.
He has commissioned over 200 neuropsychological assessments to document brain injury and is highly effective in demonstrating the extent of a victim’s loss. A substantial portion of Richard Serpe’s legal career has been devoted to protecting and representing innocent children injured by negligence.
Legal Specialties
Richard Serpe has obtained successful settlements and verdicts in all types of personal injury and dangerous product cases, including including car accidents, dog attacks, wrongful death, boat accidents, birth injury, commercial truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, guardrail accidents and more.
Awards & Recognition
- Best Lawyers in America® (2005 – Present)
- Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year (Norfolk 2020)
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
- Admiralty and Maritime Law
- Martindale-Hubbell law directory: AV-Preeminent (highest rating)
- “Super Lawyer”: top 5% of lawyers in Virginia (2006 – Present)
- Avvo.com: Rated 10/10 – “Superb”
Education
Richard Serpe is a 1986 order of the coif graduate of Tulane University, having also obtained a master’s degree in maritime law from Tulane University in 1991. He has been awarded Proctor status from the Maritime Law Association of the United States. He has successfully represented clients under the Jones Act and the general maritime law.
- B.A. (Econ.) 1983 University of Virginia
- J.D. (Law) 1986 Tulane Law School
- LL.M (Maritime) 1991 Tulane Law School
Bar & Court Admissions
Richard Serpe has successfully tried lawsuits in state and federal courts and resolved cases for victims in Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, and Virginia. Mr. Serpe has been a member of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana since October 14, 1986. He has represented clients before the Louisiana and Virginia Supreme Courts and appeared before the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Circuits of the U.S. Court of Appeals.
Richard Serpe is admitted to practice in Virginia, Texas, and Louisiana.
- Virginia State Bar (1991)
- Virginia Supreme Court (1992)
- State Bar of Texas (1987)
- Texas Supreme Court (1985)
- Louisiana State Bar (1986)
- Eastern District of Louisiana (1986)
- US Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit (1986)
Notable Cases
Richard Serpe was a member of the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee for the defective Chinese Drywall MDL (MDL 2047) litigation, bringing justice to hundreds of families in Virginia and aiding in the litigation for thousands of families across the country. Mr. Serpe was lead counsel for the Virginia victims case consolidation in Norfolk Circuit Court.
Richard Serpe made history in Virginia when he received a $2,000,000.00 verdict, the largest verdict in the state for a victim of childhood lead poisoning.
Mr. Serpe also served as lead counsel for the Washington Park superfund personal injury victims case consolidation in Portsmouth, Virginia.
New York Times Article: How 2 Industries Stymied Justice for Young Lead Paint Victims
Giving Back
He is a frequent lecturer, speaking nationally on environmental and personal injury law and legal technology. Mr. Serpe also serves as a Lynnhaven River Now board member Lynnhaven River Now, assisting in environmental restoration for the Lynnhaven River and other Virginia Beach waterways.
