J. Chapman Petersen

Partner

Fairfax, Virginia

Phone:

703-648-8279

Facsimile:

(703) 591-9285

Email:

E-mail Me

Education

University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, Virginia
- J.D. - 1994
Williams College

John Chapman "Chap" Petersen is a partner with Surovell Isaacs Petersen & Levy specializing in trial practice. He has been practicing law since 1994 and is licensed in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Over the course of his career, Chap Petersen has tried over one hundred cases, including over twenty-five jury trials. The majority of these cases have been civil actions ranging from personal injury to breaches of contract. He has successfully represented hundreds of small business and minority clients. In 2006, he won a trial verdict from a Federal jury for defamation in a case that was conducted largely in Korean.

Chap Petersen has tried cases in state and Federal courts in nearly every jurisdiction in the Washington, D.C. area. He has also represented clients in appeals before the Virginia Supreme Court, the Virginia Court of Appeals, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals and the federal Fourth Circuit.

In addition to his practice, Chap Petersen represents Fairfax County and its subdivisions as a Virginia State Senator. He sites on the following standing committees: Transportation, Privileges and Elections, General Laws and Natural Resources. Chap Petersen was elected to the State Senate in 2007. Prior to that election, he represented the Fairfax community as State Delegate (2002-2006) and City Councilman (1998-2002). While a State Delegate, Chap Petersen served as the House minority whip.

Chap Petersen grew up in Fairfax City. He is a graduate of Fairfax High School, Williams College and the University of Virginia Law School. He sits on the Boards of the Virginia Economic Bridge, the Fairfax County Good News Jail and Prison Ministry, and the Kingsley Commons Community Partnership.

Court Admissions

Virginia
Maryland
District of Columbia

Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation
Landlord and Tenant Disputes
Breach of Contract
Business Torts
Real Estate Litigation
Employment Litigation
Personal Injury - Plaintiff

Professional Associations Memberships

Board of the Virginia Economic Bridge, Member
Fairfax County Good News Jail and Prision Ministry, Member
Kingsley Commons Community Partnership, Member
Transportation, Privileges and Elections, Committee member
General Laws and Natural Resources, Committee Member
Fairfax Community, State Delegate, 2002 - 2006
Fairfax Community, City Councilman, 1998 - 2002

Past Employment Positions

Bracewell & Giuliani LLC (Reston and D.C. offices)

Honors & awards. We Proudly Congratulate

Robert J. Surovell for being named in Best Lawyers in America this year for Personal Injury representation and for the 25th time in Family Law representation.
Dorothy M. Isaacs for being named in Best Lawyers in America for the 4th time in Family Law representation.
Scott Surovell on his recent election to the House of Delegates.
Scott Surovell and David Levy for being named Best Lawyers in America.

$12,000,000 Judgment relating to fraudulent investment scheme.
$4,800,000 Fairfax County Jury verdict against fireworks company for negligent production of commercial fireworks display resulting in catastrophic injuries.
$3,600,000 Fairfax County jury verdict in favor of firefighter who suffered permanent disabling injuries.
$3,500,000 Settlement of head-on collision resulting in severe orthopedic injuries and brain injuries to Ph.D candidate.
$2,000,000 Value of rescission awarded to purchaser due to luxury developer's violation of Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act.
$1,150,000 Settlement of case involving brain injury to passenger riding in commuter van on I-395.
$1,100,000 Judgment awarded against husband who obtained multiple mortgages on joint property without wife's consent.
$1,150,000 Settlement of case involving amputation of arm following negligence.
$980,000 Settlement of case involving brain injury to 13 year-old child.
$950,000 Settlement of case involving misdiagnosis of child abuse instead of osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease).
$834,000 Jury verdict against a notorious foreclosure rescue scammer for violations of Virginia Consumer Protection Act, Virginia Credit Counseling Act, and fraud.
$750,000 Back injury from car accident.
$700,000 Jury verdict for fraud arising from sale of securities in bogus Montana mining venture.
$650,000 Settlement of medical malpractice matter.
$480,000 Settlement of wrongful death case involving health care neglect in prison.
$450,000 Settlement of death of child who drowned in pool.
$330,000 Judgment awarded to tenant for inventory damage from defects in shopping mall roof. Affirmed by Supreme Court of Virginia.
$300,000 Judgment awarded to daughter whose mother was killed by step-father who attempted to seek his deceased wife's life insurance proceeds.
$300,000 Car accident involving collision with delivery truck and compound arm fracture.
$290,000 Car accident involving injury to passenger's face.
$175,000 Settlement for property damage and business losses for damage to printing press during moving.
$175,000 Back injuries to driver struck by drunk driver.
$135,000 Settlement for failure to supervise bookkeeper, negligent processing of checks by bank, and embezzlement.
$82,000 SIPL Defense verdict that ultimately led to award of $82,000 sanctions against Plaintiff.
Defense Verdict SIPL Defense verdict in car-tanker truck collision seeking over $1,000,000

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Surovell Isaacs Petersen & Levy PLC

4010 University Drive
Second Floor
Fairfax, VA 22030

Phone: 703-648-8279
Fax: 703-591-9285
Fax: 703-591-2149

Surovell Isaacs Petersen & Levy PLC, in Fairfax, Virginia, serves clients in Alexandria, Vienna, Herndon, Manassas, Woodbridge, Leesburg, Chantilly, Centreville, Falls Church, Annandale, Warrenton, Reston, Sterling, Oakton, Great Falls, McLean, Fairfax Station, Springfield, Burke, Lorton Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Arlington County, Prince William County and throughout Northern Virginia.