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Lawyering
For Good

People go through real trouble in their lives deserving of real attention. As a public interest trial attorney, I give voice to the voiceless, defend the accused, and right wrongs for those in need. I try cases for clients with problems to solve and stories to tell. My goal is to lawyer for good.

Tom Barbour Signature

Lawyering
For Good

People go through real trouble in their lives deserving of real attention. As a public interest trial attorney, I give voice to the voiceless, defend the accused, and right wrongs for those in need. I try cases for clients with problems to solve and stories to tell. My goal is to lawyer for good.

Tom Barbour Signature

 

Tom working on his laptop

Public Interest
Trial Attorney

The only real lawyers are trial lawyers, and trial lawyers try cases to juries. I narrowly focus my practice not only on trial work, but on representing clients with problems to solve and stories to tell that are in the public interest.

I am committed to fighting for clients who are fighting for their future, those accused of wrongdoing or who have experienced injustice, discrimination, or abuse. My substantial experience inside and outside of the courtroom enables me to level the playing field for anyone who may feel powerless against the criminal legal system or other predatory parties: an agency, employer, business, academic institution, landlord, or individual, among others.

As a former Prosecutor and Policy Advisor for the City of Richmond, a former Captain in the United States Marine Corps and Veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, and as an Advocate for reform in the City and the Commonwealth, I have built my career, as both an attorney and a civil servant, in defense of the public good.

Winning your case through live advocacy requires unique expertise that only comes with years of trial experience. Many attorneys settle cases, but I focus my practice on trials and oral arguments. I’ve honed my skills in many forums – from courtrooms to administrative hearings to boards and panels to arbitration and even the public square.

Every person deserves an aggressive, creative, and personalized strategy. I have handled first-degree murder juries, grievance panels for deputy fire chiefs, and many matters in between, with the same dedication, energy, and creativity all trial work deserves. Through advocacy, I aim to live a life of servant leadership for my clients.

Public Interest
Trial Attorney

The only real lawyers are trial lawyers, and trial lawyers try cases to juries. I narrowly focus my practice not only on trial work, but on representing clients with problems to solve and stories to tell that are in the public interest.

I am committed to fighting for clients who are fighting for their future, those accused of wrongdoing or who have experienced injustice, discrimination, or abuse. My substantial experience inside and outside of the courtroom enables me to level the playing field for anyone who may feel powerless against the criminal legal system or other predatory parties: an agency, employer, business, academic institution, landlord, or individual, among others.

As a former Prosecutor and Policy Advisor for the City of Richmond, a former Captain in the United States Marine Corps and Veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, and as an Advocate for reform in the City and the Commonwealth, I have built my career, as both an attorney and a civil servant, in defense of the public good.

Winning your case through live advocacy requires unique expertise that only comes with years of trial experience. Many attorneys settle cases, but I focus my practice on trials and oral argument, and I’ve honed my skills in many forums – from courtrooms to administrative hearings to boards and panels to arbitration and even the public square. Every person deserves an aggressive, creative, and personalized strategy. I have handled first degree murder juries, grievance panels for deputy fire chiefs, and many matters in between, with the same dedication, energy, and creativity that all trial work deserves. Through my advocacy, I aim to live a life of servant leadership for my clients.

Tom working on his laptop

Excellent
Tom Barbour5.0
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Tony Zheng
Tom was my traffic attorney and was very patient throughout the entire court process. We had to delay my court case due to numerous reasons including not having the best outcome during the first hearing. The judge in my case was very strict with CDL holders but after some suggestions from Tom, we ultimately got my case dismissed! Highly recommend Tom and I will be in touch with him for any future cases.
Scott Howe
Tom was excellent reckless driving attorney from beginning to end. He told me every single thing I should do to help mitigate my charge. He appeared for me in front of the judge and got the charge reduced so dramatically, it may as well have been dismissed. Worth every penny and more.
Response from the owner:Sir! It was my privilege to represent you as your reckless driving attorney. I was excited to get you a great result in a tough jurisdiction, amending the criminal charge of reckless driving down to a non-moving traffic infraction with zero (0) points against your license. The best reckless driving attorneys work with their clients to obtain and introduce strong mitigation evidence, like completing a defensive driving school, or a speedometer calibration, or community service, among other best practices. You were a wonderful client and followed my advice for your case quickly and effectively -- truly, this result was a team effort! Thank you for the kind review and please stay in touch!
Jennifer Higgs
I had an excellent experience working with Tom Barbour, Esq. He gave us all the facts up front. He looked into the case first before taking any money from us. He was very informative and we learned a lot. He got my daughter‘s case dismissed and expunged all in one day. I would definitely recommend him.
Jawara Jefferson
I had an excellent experience working with Tom Barbour on my reckless driving case. From the very beginning, he was professional, responsive, and reassuring. He took the time to explain every step of the process, answered all my questions, and truly cared about getting me the best possible outcome. Tom’s knowledge of the law and his calm, confident approach made a stressful situation much easier to handle. Thanks to his guidance and expertise, my case was resolved far better than I expected. I highly recommend Tom Barbour to anyone in need of a skilled and dependable attorney for reckless driving case. He goes above and beyond for his clients.
Response from the owner:Mr. Jefferson – it was my pleasure to serve as your reckless driving attorney and to get your case dismissed! We were in a tough jurisdiction, but the Judge was impressed with the work you’d done to prepare for Court and agreed to dismiss your reckless driving case. Thank you for being so responsive and diligent in following my advice to get ready for your trial date – this outcome was truly a collaborative effort. Should you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to be in touch – you’ve got my cell!
Breanna
I am incredibly grateful for Mr. Barbour. He is an outstanding defense attorney who went above and beyond, doing all the necessary ground work to help me get into and excellent program. He was patient, straightforward, and truly understanding. Instead of treating my case as another file, he took the time to look at the root of the problem and helped create a plan that would allow me to reenter society in a less stressful, more productive way. Because of his dedication, I've been given another chance and a real opportunity to get my life back on track. The plan we built together has placed me in a great program full of resources and support helping me to stay focused on being a productive citizen. Mr. Barbour is an exceptional lawyer, and I highly recommend him to anyone who needs a good, dedicated defense attorney who genuinely cares and fights for the best possible outcome.
Response from the owner:Breanna, I am just so proud of you and our work together. You've been struggling down a decade long road in the criminal justice system, and it is humbling for me to be a part of walking you out of that cycle forever. We had to fight back against multiple probation violations and convince your probation officers, judges, and prosecutors across multiple jurisdictions, including Henrico County, Hanover County, York County, and Newport News, to give you a real opportunity at recovery. But YOU are the one who has been doing the work to manage your recovery and set yourself up for success in your life going forward. It’s inspiring to watch. Thank you for allowing me to support and defend you as your criminal defense attorney. Please stay in touch and keep me updated with how you're doing -- I'm excited for you!
Patricia Drolet
E. C.
Mr. Barbour is attentive, empathetic and geared towards success for families! Would recommend a million times over. Consistent and honorable.
Jan Chappelle
Reckless Driving Lawyer, Tom Barbour helped me win! I did the things he told me to do. I had my charges reduced down from reckless driving. I received NO criminal conviction and no points against my insurance. I would highly recommend his services if you find yourself in Virginia, and get snagged!
Response from the owner:Virginia is really tough on traffic violations, with certain kinds of speeding charged as the criminal offense of reckless driving. When good drivers like you get caught up with these criminal charges, you really need a criminal defense attorney who also understands how to defend cases of reckless driving. I'm honored that you chose me as your reckless driving attorney, Ms. Chappelle – you were a wonderful client and set us up for our success in your case by the significant efforts you made in following my advice. Thank you for being such a wonderful client – please stay in touch!
Frank Austin
Tom Barbour is a fantastic reckless driving attorney. Tom took on my case and gave great guidance for the best possible outcomes. And great news, my case was dismissed after I followed his advice! I highly recommend Tom if you want the best results for your case.
darin beck
Tom’s a great lawyer and a great guy hands down I got charged for a reckless driving ticket in Virginia for speeding and I lived out of state. Tom went above and beyond and I would recommend him to anyone that has a reckless driving incident in Virginia thanks again Tom.
mark catan
Finally a lawyer who's worth their fee and will represent a defendant like they're suppose to. Reckless driving on top of a triple digit speedo... Tom kept me out of the steel bar motel as well as the hassle of any out of state court appearances. He delivered.
Response from the owner:Mark! Thank you so much for trusting me to serve as your reckless driving attorney – the steel bar motel is no place to be, indeed! I'm glad we were able to get you sorted out and that you appreciated my representation. It was my honor to serve you and I wish you the best for your continued success!
Joshua Pritchett
Tom Barbour is an outstanding trial attorney who delivered a victory in our case. He was exceptional in every area, from start to finish. He handled all court appearances and interactions, making the legal process incredibly smooth and saving me significant time, travel costs, and headache. Tom is smart and strategic with every step, and he completely outmaneuvered our opposing party, ultimately forcing them to accept defeat. I couldn't be happier with my experience and wholeheartedly recommend Tom to anyone needing a trial attorney and top-tier legal support. He's an incredibly sharp, reliable, and skilled lawyer that handled my matter with complete excellence and professionalism. I would hire Tom again in a heartbeat. 10/10
Christopher Walrond
Mr Barbour wasted no time getting to work on my case. He was very thorough and professional, and definitely helped to set my mind at ease about a very frightening situation. I highly recommend his services to anyone who wants the best without paying exorbitant rates!!!
M Austin
Choosing the right attorney is absolutely crucial, and my family couldn’t be more grateful for the representation we received from Tom Barbour. As a student defense attorney, Tom consistently demonstrated genuine compassion, professionalism, and deep expertise throughout the entire process. He guided our family through every complicated step of the legal process with care and commitment, always keeping us informed and supported. Thanks to his dedication and skill, we felt confident and protected throughout a very difficult time. We wholeheartedly recommend Tom Barbour to any family in need of an exceptional criminal defense attorney.
Response from the owner:Molly, I’m not sure many cases have impacted me more than serving your child as their student criminal defense attorney in this difficult situation. From the beginning, the prosecutor and law enforcement were unwilling to assess the reality of what was going on with your child – and they certainly weren’t interested in addressing any root causes. But we did, together. Over the objection of the prosecutor, we convinced two different judges with our bond argument to release your child from detention and immediately admit them to bail – both in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court and in the Circuit Court. And then you did the incredible parenting work of getting them involved in alternative schooling, community service, and social and self-reflective opportunities that empowered them to explore their identity and the bond between you both. As a parent of two small children, myself, I was consistently impressed by your dedication and organization in supporting your loved one through this complex and exhausting process. When the prosecutor insisted on a guilty plea and a plea agreement that didn’t make sense for your family, we went to trial on the felony cases in Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court and again convinced the judge to give your child the chance they deserved. And you all delivered: ultimately, one felony charge was dismissed, and the second felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor, with no lasting impact to their future. I heard from you recently that your child had just been accepted by one of the best high schools in the area in an extremely competitive application process. I couldn’t be more honored to have played a small part in their progress. I wish you all the absolute best for continuing happiness and success, and I’ll look forward to staying in touch over the years!
Tony Miller
Tom Barbour is an excellent Criminal Defense Attorney! I recently was forced into a legal situation which required me to procure the services of a Criminal Defense Attorney, and as you might expect, this was one of the most critical situations a person can face. My first choice was to reach out to an attorney I had used in another matter to get a referral to someone he trusted. I was connected to a Criminal Defense Attorney who has been described by many, including other Criminal Defense Attorneys, as “the best in the Commonwealth of Virginia”. He had worked on a very famous case that had consumed the VA-DC news, and I was very impressed with him. However, I had recently been connected with Tom Barbour, and I thought about calling him just to get a second opinion. I was impressed with his strong academic credentials as well as his civic service. I certainly made the best choice for my Criminal Defense Attorney needs! Tom understood my case better than any of the 7 Criminal Defense Attorneys to whom I had spoken since I had been made aware of the indictments against me. Of all the Criminal Defense Attorneys, Tom was the one who built the strongest connection with me and my case. I think this allowed him to serve me very well. Unfortunately, during this process, there are many times a Criminal Defense Attorney needs to talk to, and work with, their client. Tom always took extensive time to hear me out as we navigated my case. Each time we had to go to Court, Tom explained every possible outcome, and he always prepared me for the worst case scenario, and I appreciated that very much. I have spent many decades in hospitality, and it’s always better to “under promise and over deliver”. Tom is great in this way. As we reached the conclusion of my case, unfortunately, I had to spend a lot of time going back and forth with the prosecution. As my Criminal Defense Attorney, Tom spent a lot of time going over various options, solutions, and tactics we could use to help get to the best resolution. Tom worked very hard with, in my opinion, a tough prosecutor, to secure a very fair and reasonable outcome. If I had been given a court appointed attorney, there is no doubt I would have had a FAR worse outcome. If I had chosen another attorney, I think I would have had to argue with that person about what was important to me versus what a Criminal Defense Attorney would normally think. Tom did a great job of personalizing my outcome. Overall, I cannot recommend a better Criminal Defense Attorney than Tom Barbour!
Response from the owner:Tony! I really can’t thank you enough for the opportunity to represent you – I was grateful to get to know you more and your work in the service of others through our engagement. I am honored that you trusted me to protect you and prioritize your interests, and I am glad that we accomplished those goals together. This was one of the more complex criminal cases I’ve defended, and at the intersection of tensions between important societal questions and achieving the personal aims of a client: good trouble, to borrow a phrase. I’m proud to know you and I look forward to following your progress in the future – I know we’ll be in touch!
Calia Carrington
I wanted to take a moment to share a review of this attorney, as the experience was excellent from start to finish. He assisted someone close to me and handled everything with professionalism, confidence, and clear communication throughout the entire process. His rates were fair, and he made a stressful situation feel much more manageable with his approachable personality and sense of humor. He is both personable and highly effective in his work. Most importantly, he was thorough, strategic, and persistent in representing the case. The outcome speaks for itself, as he successfully won. If you are looking for an attorney who is skilled, dependable, and genuinely invested in his clients, I would highly recommend him.
Response from the owner:Ms. Carrington – I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity to serve your loved one so well as their criminal defense attorney. When I look back on my nearly ten (10) years of practice at this point, managing this case for my client is one of my proudest achievements. This client was actually innocent and wrongfully charged with multiple felony crimes, having been the victim of identify theft. I responded immediately in two (2) jurisdictions to get them out of jail, on bond, and back to their life as a successful young professional: school, work, and family. Over the next several months, we executed a strategy to prove their innocence to multiple prosecutors – whom, I should add, did not want to believe they had gotten these cases wrong. In one jurisdiction, I served as their trial attorney in a contested preliminary hearing to get the case dismissed. But we won: now, all cases have been dismissed, and I’ve also recently served my client as their expungement attorney to get all related criminal records sealed and expunged. My client’s academic and career goals are safe – and my hope is that they achieve success in their life that empowers them to pay this service forward onto others. Truly, I am grateful to know you all – please stay in touch!
Dana Perry
“It was a pleasure working with reckless driving Attorney Barbour on my reckless driving case. He was very easy to work with, professional, and understanding throughout the entire process. Thanks to his expertise, I received the best possible outcome. Highly recommend!”
Dana Shear
I had gotten a speeding ticket while driving from out of state and Tom was beyond helpful. He explained all my options and was very kind. Since I live out of state and tom represented me I didn’t have to travel back for court which was a huge relief. I highly recommend Tom Barbour to anyone in Virginia he went above and beyond for me!
curtis winn
Thank you for providing excellent service as an expungement attorney in resolving my expungement situation. I appreciate all your professional help and highly recommend you as an expungement attorney.
Response from the owner:Hey, Mr. Winn -- it really was my pleasure representing you in your expungement hearing in Richmond. Your case presented an interesting situation: the felony charge we successfully expunged was so old that we had to proffer your personal testimony that the case had been dismissed in order to establish your eligibility for an expungement. I'm so glad we were able to convince the prosecutor and the Judge to see it our way. Thank you for trusting me to provide you this service -- my best to you and your family and please stay in touch!
Tony Lyu
Tom is a great guy and a very professional reckless driving attorney! I am very happy with the result that Tom helping to get for me. I drove 87/55 in Virginia. Tom got me dismissed without me being presence on the court. If you got a driving ticket in Virginia, whatever it was reckless driving or not, he will surely help you.
Mandy
Hands down the BEST reckless driving attorney you can get. Mr. Barbour was super friendly and straightforward from the start. He told me exactly what I needed to do and walked me through the process. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. 100% recommend if you’re looking for someone who knows what they’re doing and actually gets results.
anika anderson
Tom Barbour provided exceptional representation and made the entire process as stress-free as possible. He was professional, knowledgeable, and always available to answer my questions. Thanks to his hard work and expertise, my expungement was successful. I’m incredibly grateful for the outcome and highly recommend him to anyone in need of a dedicated criminal defense attorney.
Peter Thomas
Attorney Tom Barbour was outstanding in helping me with my speeding ticket case. As a CDL holder, this matter was extremely important to me, and he understood how serious it was for my license and career. He was professional, knowledgeable, and kept me informed throughout the entire process. He made everything easy to understand and handled the case smoothly, which took a lot of stress off me. I truly appreciate his help and highly recommend him to anyone needing assistance with a traffic or speeding ticket case. Thank you‼️
Response from the owner:Peter – I was honored to serve as your traffic attorney! Virginia’s traffic laws are much tougher on CDL holders. In fact, there is even a law in Virginia – specifically, Virginia Code § 46.2-505 – that prohibits Virginia’s Judges from using only a driving school to reduce, dismiss, or defer a CDL holder’s traffic infractions or charges of reckless driving – even if they occurred in their personal vehicle. This means CDL holders often must do more than noncommercial drivers to get good outcomes in their traffic cases. I advise my CDL holders to take a defensive driving school as a show of good faith to the Court, and then to also provide additional mitigation evidence, like a speedometer calibration, or community service, or a police ride-along, among other options. Because you were incredibly thorough in getting this work done to prepare for trial, the Judge reduced your case to a 0-point, non-moving violation. Thank you for trusting me to represent you and to protect your CDL and your livelihood. I wish you the best for continuing success in your career!
Brenda Cason
Absolutely best attorney , he returned phone calls , would talk to you on weekends, spent actual in person time with you. He traveled 2 hrs to represent us. He took time and was fair and honest. Local attorney's wouldn't do any of the above, Mr. Barbour work to get the best outcome possible . We can't thank him enough !
Amy Scott
Tom is an awesome criminal defense lawyer! He exceeded my expectations in every aspect. Not only did he answer calls promptly but he even took time on the weekend and made sure I was 100% ready for the upcoming case. Highly recommend, he is the best!

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