Big Results with Personal Care: The Boutique Advantage at Burnett & Williams

When you’ve been seriously injured, choosing the right lawyer can shape not only your case outcome but also your entire recovery journey. Many large law firms advertise heavily, but clients often discover that they’re treated as just another file on a crowded desk. At Burnett & Williams, the approach is different. For more than 35 years, this boutique personal injury law firm has combined exceptional results with personalized advocacy, ensuring that every client receives both the legal firepower and the human connection they deserve.

Why a Boutique Firm Makes a Difference

1. Deep Focus on Personal Injury

Since its founding in 1988 by Peter C. Burnett, the firm has concentrated exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death cases. From representing families in need of a wrongful death attorney in Richmond VA to advocating for victims of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, the focus has led to record-setting verdicts and settlements in Virginia.—including some of the largest in state history. With a narrower practice comes sharper expertise.

2. Direct Access to Experienced Attorneys

In a boutique setting, clients don’t get shuffled between departments or passed to junior associates. At Burnett & Williams, you work directly with seasoned trial lawyers like C. James “Jim” Williams III and Kimberly J. Raab, both of whom bring decades of courtroom and negotiation experience. You’ll always know who is handling your case—and you’ll always have someone responsive on your side.

3. Resources Equal to Larger Firms

Smaller does not mean less equipped. Burnett & Williams regularly partners with:
  • Accident reconstruction specialists to explain how crashes happened.
  • Medical and economic experts to demonstrate long-term care needs and financial losses.
  • Cutting-edge litigation tools that clarify complex evidence for judges and juries.
From preparing “net sheets” that project settlement outcomes versus trial risks, to using permanency ratings that evaluate lasting injury impacts, the firm blends personalized care with sophisticated case-building resources.

4. A Fee Structure Aligned with Clients

Every personal injury matter is handled on a contingency-fee basis. That means no upfront costs and no attorney’s fee unless there’s a successful recovery. Simply put: the firm’s success is tied directly to yours.

5. Navigating Virginia’s Tough Legal Landscape

Virginia remains one of the only states applying the strict contributory negligence rule. Under this doctrine, if an injured person is even 1% at fault, they can be barred from recovering damages. That makes working with experienced personal injury lawyers in Richmond VA essential. Whether dealing with a slip and fall claim or a complex premises liability case, Burnett & Williams knows how to anticipate insurer strategies and protect clients from unfair blame.

6. Community Values That Run Deep

Beyond the courtroom, Burnett & Williams is rooted in the communities it serves—from Chesterfield to Richmond, Leesburg to Winchester. The firm supports initiatives like the Ampersand Pantry Project and veteran-focused programs, reflecting a genuine commitment to helping people inside and outside the legal arena.

Meet the Attorneys

  • C. James Williams III – A highly respected trial lawyer who has litigated more than 100 jury trials and served as appellate counsel in precedent-setting cases. His earlier career representing insurance companies gives him an insider’s understanding of how insurers fight claims—knowledge he now uses to protect injured clients. Fluent in multiple languages and deeply engaged in the Richmond and Chesterfield communities, Jim brings both global perspective and local dedication to his work.
  • Kimberly J. Raab – Admitted to both the Virginia and New York Bars, Kim has been trying cases since the day she entered practice. She is known for her meticulous preparation, effective courtroom presence, and compassionate client care. Whether through trial advocacy or alternative dispute resolution, her goal is always the same: to secure justice while guiding clients with integrity and respect.

The Boutique Advantage in Personal Injury Cases

Advantage What It Means for You
Direct Attorney Access You speak with the lawyer handling your case, not layers of staff.
Elite Case Preparation Access to experts, technology, and strategies usually seen in big firms.
Contingency Fees No payment unless you win.
Virginia-Specific Expertise Protection under the state’s strict contributory negligence rules.
Compassionate Care A legal team that treats you as a person, not a file.

The Bottom Line

When you’re facing life-changing injuries, you need more than a lawyer—you need an advocate. Burnett & Williams has earned a reputation as one of the best personal injury law firms in Richmond, combining proven results with compassionate care. With free consultations and a contingency-fee structure, they ensure top-quality representation is accessible when you need it most. 📞 Call (804) 794-0080 for a free consultation. 🌐 Visit www.burnettwilliams.com. 🏢 Meet with us in Richmond, Chesterfield, or any of our other Virginia offices. Burnett & Williams, P.C. Trusted personal injury advocates for over 35 years—delivering results with care.