Terrence L. Graves
Shareholder
Experience
“Terrence and his team at Sands Anderson provided solid advice, grounded in knowledge of the law, practical understanding of the legal process, and respect for my needs as a professional and client. I would use his services again without hesitation.”
Tim Loughran, client
About
Biography
Terrence Graves offers dependable and experienced guidance as he defends commercial transportation, toxic torts, construction defects, and liability cases involving products, landlords, and premises. He brings principled support to first-party actions involving insurance coverage issues, with a niche supporting self-insured individuals and insurance companies. Terrence is a Shareholder and Co-Leader of the Litigation Group.
A thorough and steadfast ally, Terrence has over 26 years of experience in taking and defending depositions, arguing motions, trials, arbitrations and mediations. He carefully addresses your unique legal needs, customizing a unified and appropriately aggressive defense from when the case starts to its settlement, trial, or appeal. Terrence handles high exposure matters with diligence, and will offer judicious advice when investigating accidents and preserving evidence.
Terrence’s passion for the law, work ethic, and integrity have helped clients navigate a vast range of complex legal issues. His deep legal talents include trying cases in a majority of judicial circuits and all federal district courts in Virginia. He has also been admitted pro hac vice in state courts in Maryland, North Carolina, and the District of Columbia. Further, Terrence is well acquainted with regulations issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality regulations among others.
Terrence works to help his clients stay on track and protect their futures. When not in the office, he enjoys piloting drones, spending time with family, and traveling.
Professional Highlights
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Terrence has successfully handled high-stake cases, such as:
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Obtaining a defense verdict for the driver of a tractor-trailer and his motor carrier employer. Plaintiff claimed traumatic brain injury and other damages due to allegations of negligence resulting from a rear-end collision with plaintiff's motor scooter.
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Obtaining a defense verdict for a tractor-trailer operator against a plaintiff alleging that the driver made an unsafe lane change resulting in a major traffic accident involving several vehicles. Plaintiff claimed spinal injuries that required multiple surgeries.
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Obtaining full and final dismissal of an action against our client, an insurance plan. Plaintiff alleged that it was responsible for the death of plaintiff's decedent following a motor vehicle accident where the agency of the responsible driver was disputed.
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Obtaining dismissal of almost all of the plaintiff's claims against a national retailer. Plaintiff alleged that the client and the co-defendant were liable for false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, assumption of duty, civil conspiracy under 42 USC §1983, medical malpractice, and negligence per se as the result of the plaintiff's arrest for prescription fraud.
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Negotiating a favorable settlement for our clients, the owner and managing operator of an apartment complex. The case involved 5 plaintiffs and multiple defendants alleging carbon monoxide poisoning due to negligent design, installation, and maintenance of the hvac system.
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Advised and assisted in determining strategy for an insurance carrier following a jury trial stemming from an accident involving a tractor-trailer and a passenger vehicle. The accident resulted in an excess verdict against the insurance carrier's insured. The areas of concern included avoiding bad faith, dealing with a second case arising out of the same accident, apportioning payment of the insurance proceeds, and claims handling issues.
Recognition
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Civility and Professionalism Award
Virginia Trial Lawyers & Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, 2021 -
"Best Lawyers in America©"
Transportation Law and Personal Injury-Defense, 2010 – 2023 -
“Super Lawyers®”
2007 – 2023 -
Virginia Business magazine "Legal Elite” in Civil Litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution
2006 – 2022 -
"Leader in the Law”
for service as the first African-American President of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2008 -
Virginia Law Foundation Fellows
Class of 2019 -
"Virginia's Top Lawyers”
Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2011 -
"Virginia Legal Eagle”
Virginia Living Magazine, 2012 -
Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers 2012
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Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America 2007 (Senior Fellow 2015)
Favorite Books
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Game of Thrones
by George R.R. Martin - Anything written by Clive Cussler.
Background
Education
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University of Virginia
J.D. 1991 -
Howard University
B.A. cum laude 1986
Admissions
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Virginia
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U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
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U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
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U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
Involvement
Speaking Engagements
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Frequent lecturer on many aspects of law at the local, state, regional, and national levels
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Presented on Virginia procedure, transportation law, trial tactics, legal technology, general liability, landlord/tenant law, and other topics
Professional Affiliations
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American College of Trial Lawyers - Fellow
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Bar Association of the City of Richmond - Immediate Past-President, Member of Board of Directors, 2005 - 2009, 2011 - Present
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Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
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Defense Research Institute
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Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
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Litigation Council of America - Senior Fellow
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Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association
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Transportation Lawyers Association
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Trucking Industry Defense Association
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Trucking Law Association
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Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys - President 2007-2008, Member of the Board of Directors 1997 - 2009
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Virginia Bar Association
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Virginia Trucking Association
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Virginia State Bar - Professionalism Course instructor as appointed by Chief Justice Hassell, 2003 - 2006
Community Service
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Union Branch Baptist Church
Member
Publications
News by Terrence L. Graves
- DEI Takeaways from the 3rd Virginia State Bar Diversity Forum
- The End of “Pay When Paid” in Virginia Construction Contracts with State and Local Governments
- I Tried the Case and Won (Twice) – So What Did I Do Wrong?
- Drone Registration – What’s Next?
- Diversity and Inclusion: Not Just an Ideal, But a Client Demand
- Virginia Supreme Court Considers Evidence Necessary to Get Gross Negligence Case to a Jury
- Virginia Supreme Court Decides Punitive Damages Case
News About Terrence L. Graves
- 17 Sands Anderson Attorneys Named to 2023 Virginia Super Lawyers®
- Forty-Four Sands Anderson Lawyers Named to 2022 Virginia Business Legal Elite
- Twenty-Three Sands Anderson Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America®
- Twenty-One Sands Anderson Attorneys Named to 2022 Virginia Super Lawyers®
- Forty-Two Sands Anderson Lawyers Named to 2021 Virginia Business Legal Elite
- Twenty-One Sands Anderson Attorneys Named as 2022 Best Lawyers in America®
- Nineteen Sands Anderson Attorneys Named to 2021 Virginia Super Lawyers®
- Sands Anderson Shareholder Terrence L. Graves Receives Award for Civility and Professionalism
- Forty Sands Anderson Lawyers Named to 2020 Virginia Business Legal Elite
- Twenty-One Sands Anderson attorneys named to 2021 Best Lawyers® List