R. John Barrett
Practice Focus:
Workers’ Compensation Defense
Maritime Litigation
Contact Information
Norfolk Office
500 World Trade Center
Norfolk, Virginia 23510
(757) 446-8618
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John is a partner with Vandeventer Black and concentrates his law practice in workers’ compensation defense and maritime litigation matters. His workers’ compensation practice focuses on working with insurance carriers and self-insured businesses defending workers’ compensation claims filed pursuant to the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. He has litigated multiple claims throughout the Commonwealth before the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission and before Administrative Law Judges from the Department of Labor throughout the country.
John’s Maritime Litigation practice concentrates on defending maritime personal injury claims, both from commercial and recreational boating accidents in both state and federal courts.
John received a B.A. from Hartwick College and a J.D. from The College of William & Mary School of Law. He is a frequent lecturer on compensation and maritime issues.
John served with the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves from 1971 to 1994, retiring as a Commander. He is a member of The Maritime Law Association of the United States (Proctor in Admiralty) and the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute (former Port Director). He was appointed Port Director for Norfolk by the Southesasten Admiralty Law Institutes for 2008 and 2009.