Derrick L. Walker

Meet Derrick

Derrick Walker has built an outstanding track record with nearly 20 years in practice in a wide array of personal injury matters, including multi-million dollar awards in cases involving wrongful death, tractor-trailer accidents, traumatic brain injury, nursing homes, and medical malpractice. He dedicates his skills and services to help to provide a level legal playing field for those injured and to protect them throughout the legal process. Derrick is incredibly passionate about representing the injured, and he makes it his mission to tip the scales in favor of his clients when faced with the “David vs. Goliath” struggle between an injured person and an insurance company.

Since 2000, Derrick has been securing favorable outcomes for his clients at the negotiation table and in the courtroom. Highlights of his achievements include a $6.5 million award in a case involving a tractor-trailer collision, a $4.5 million award for a bicyclist struck by a commercial vehicle, and over a dozen 7-figure awards in cases involving medical negligence, including a recent $2 million dollar jury verdict in a case tried in Fredericksburg. Derrick’s analytical approach makes him successful at tackling the complex medical and legal issues that his cases routinely involve.

Derrick has an “AV” rating (the highest available) from the Martindale-Hubbell attorney listing service and was selected as one of Virginia’s Super Lawyers (Top 5% of Virginia Attorneys). Derrick is also among eight Allen & Allen attorneys named to Best Lawyers in America, a publication considered by many to be the preeminent guide to legal excellence in the United States.

Derrick is actively involved in the Board of Governors for the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice. Derrick is a frequent speaker on ethics and trial techniques. He attended the College of William & Mary, graduating with a B.A. in Government and received his J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law at the University of Richmond, where he was the recipient of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Student Advocate Award.

Derrick enjoys spending time with his wife, Melody, and their two daughters, Kyndall and Klyne. In his free time, he enjoys golf, food, wine, and travel.

Experience

• Shareholder, Allen, Allen, Allen, & Allen (2019 – Present)
• Trial Attorney, Allen, Allen, Allen, & Allen (2015 – Present)
• Partner, Breit, Drescher, Imprevento & Walker (2010 – 2014)
• Litigation Associate, Breit, Drescher & Imprevento (2004 – 2010)
• Litigation Associate, Durrette Bradshaw PLC (2000 – 2004)

Bar Admissions

• Licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia

Court Admissions

• U.S. District Courts – Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia

Education

• J.D., University of Richmond School of Law (2000)
• B.A., Government, College of William and Mary (1994)

Honors

• Minority Caucus for the American Association for Justice – Executive Committee (2023)
• Minority Caucus Stalwart Award – American Associaton for Justice (2023)
• Go To Lawyer for Medical Malpractice – Virginia Lawyers Weekly (2023)
• AAJ David S. Shrager President’s Award (2022)
• LawDragon – Top 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyer (2022)
• Best Lawyers in America (2017 – Present)
• Virginia Super Lawyers (2013 – 2023)
• Best Lawyers in America – Litigation Edition (2020)
• Listed as “Rising Star” in Virginia Super Lawyers (2007 – 2012)
• AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale Hubbell (highest possible rating)
• International Academy of Trial Lawyers Student Advocate Award
• AAJ Minority Caucus Leadership Award (2018)
• AAJ Distinguished Service Award Recipient (2020 and 2021)
• AAJ Wiedemann & Wysocki Award Recipient (2020)
• AAJ Above and Beyond Award Recipient (2021)

Professional Affiliations

• Williamsburg Society Member – Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
• Adjunct Professor, University of Virginia (2019 – Present)
• Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
  • Past Chair – Federal Liaison
  • Past Chair – Diversity Committee
  • Past Chair – Fundraising Committee
  • Past Chair – Membership Committee
  • Past Chair – Insurance Legislative Subcommittee
  • Past Chair – Annual Convention Planning Committee
  • Strategic Planning Committee
  • VTLA PAC Trustee
• American Association for Justice
  • Member  – Executive Committee (2019)
  • Board Member, National College of Advocacy
  • Member – Budget Committee
  • Chair – Minority Caucus (2018)
  • Trustee – PAC Board of Trustees
  • Virginia Governor to the Board of Governors
  • Minority Caucus Delegate to the Board of Governors (2013)
  • Member – Organizational Review Committee
  • Member – Membership Oversight Committee
• Boyd Graves Conference Steering Committee (2008 – present)
• Virginia Model Jury Instruction Committee (Former)
• The Etheridge Society
• The Melvin Belli Society

Speaking Engagements

• Using Breakeven Analysis to Establish the Financial Bias of an Expert Witness, The Melvin Belli Society Boston, MA (2017)
• Civility, Courtesy and Professionalism, AAJ Winter Convention, Austin, TX (2017)
• Social Media: Mining for Gold While Avoiding Danger, South Carolina Association for Justice Advanced Trial Lawyer College Auto Torts XXXIX (2016)
• Bread and Butter of Every Legal Practice – Rethinking Your Approach to Discovery and Motions CLE Program: Drafting Persuasive Motions in Limine: AAJ Winter Convention, Palm Springs, CA (2015)
• Sources of Coverage Seminar: The Family Automobile Policy, Roanoke, VA (2014)
• Use of Analogies in Closing Argument, VTLA Masters of Advocacy Seminar, Norfolk, VA (2013)
• Ethical Considerations in Cloud Computing, AAJ Jazz Fest Seminar (New Orleans 2012)
• Ethical Considerations in Cloud Computing, AAJ Winter Convention (Miami February 2012)
• Habit and Character Evidence, VTLA Evidence CLE, Norfolk, VA (2011)
• Ethical Use of Social Networking for Trial Lawyers, AAJ Nursing Home Litigation Section Seminar, Las Vegas, NV (2011)
• Effective Use of Medical Illustrations, VTLA May Tort Seminar, Norfolk, VA (2011)
• Defense Medical Exam Orders, AAJ Jazz Fest Auto Seminar, New Orleans, LA (2011)
• The Real Low Down on High/Lows, Mary Carter Agreements, and Other Skullduggery, VTLA Journal (Presented VTLA Annual Convention)(2009)
• Jury Trials 101 Virginia Poverty Law Center, Annual Statewide Legal Aid Conference, Norfolk, VA (2008)
• Virginia CLE Seminar: “Tort-Related Damages” for VACLE (2020)

Notable Case Results

• Medical malpractice case involving a retained surgical towel resulting in a major infection. $2,000,000
• Car crash case resulting in two subsequent surgeries. $450,000
• Medical malpractice case involving an anesthesia error during a dental procedure. $1,150,00
• Tractor-trailer collision resulting in traumatic brain injury. $6,500,000
• Tractor-trailer accident involving pedestrian. $4,500,000
• Medical malpractice case involving general surgeon’s failure to timely operate on a patient with a complete small bowel obstruction resulting in sepsis and death. $1,600,000
• Wrongful death medical malpractice case involving an anesthesiologist’s failure to properly intubate an obstetrical patient during an emergency C-section. $1,350,000
• Medical malpractice case involving radiologist’s failure to diagnose a renal cell carcinoma clearly visible on CT-scan. $1,500,000
• Medical malpractice case involving obstetrician’s failure to manage a shoulder dystocia resulting in a brachial plexus injury. $900,000
• 15-passenger van rollover accident resulting in wrongful death. $900,000
• Medical malpractice case involving failure to diagnose and treat acute coronary syndrome. $800,000
• Medical malpractice case involving emergency room doctor and PA’s failure to diagnose a ruptured popliteal artery aneurysm leading to a below-the-knee amputation. $700,000
• Wrongful death caused by foodborne illness. $500,000
• Infant scald injury resulting from faulty water heater repair. $310,000
• Tractor-trailer collision resulting in post-concussive syndrome. $300,000
• Nursing home negligence case involving a failure to follow patient’s prescribed soft mechanical diet resulting in choking death. $300,000
• Commercial delivery company struck pedestrian with hand cart causing pelvic fractures. $250,000
• Dermatology lab error resulting in erroneous diagnosis of melanoma. $165,000
• Nursing home negligence involving a choking death caused by a lack of meal supervision. $1,149,561

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