Toscano Law Group

At Toscano Law Group we believe in providing personalized attention to each client we work with. We are a group of criminal defense attorneys, divorce and custody lawyers, Title IX lawyers, and civil litigators who knows your situation is unique, and we treat each client as an individual.

But we’ve been there before, and we know how the system works. From family disputes to complex federal cases, we’ve got it covered. Our team of lawyers brings more than 50 years combined legal experience in our representation. Let Toscano Law Group be the steady hand that guides you through your case to its outcome.

We are a team of experienced defense attorneys – and polished courtroom litigators – who are eager to take on the most complex cases and provide aggressive representation for our clients. We serve Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake and the surrounding Hampton Roads area, as well as the federal Eastern District of Virginia. Contact Toscano Law Group today to discuss how we can help you.

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Toscano Law Group

It's simple: We solve high profile problems.

We’re a high-performing team -- led by one of the region's most sought after trial lawyers -- that zealously represents our clients in a variety of legal situations. We take on the most complex cases and provide aggressive representation for our clients. If you need an experienced and effective personal injury lawyer, divorce or custody lawyer, criminal defense attorney, or Title IX lawyer, we've got you covered. We've been there before and know how the system works. And we know your situation is unique, that's why we give each client the personalized attention they deserve.

Serving Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake and the surrounding Hampton Roads area, as well as the federal Eastern District of Virginia.

Schedule a Consultation

Toscano Wins $10 Million Verdict in Case of Teacher Abby Zwerner: A Turning Point for School Accountablity

By James Toscano • November 6, 2025

Newport News, Virginia — In a case that gripped national attention, Toscano Law Group has secured a $10 million jury verdict after a two-week trial on behalf of first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner, who was shot by a 6-year-old student at Richneck Elementary School. “The Newport News school division had a duty to Abby — and they failed her miserably that day,” said lead attorney Diane Toscano. “This verdict speaks not just for our client, but for teachers everywhere.” A Tragic Day in the Classroom On January 6, 2023, Zwerner was teaching her first-grade class when a 6-year-old student entered with a handgun taken from home. Multiple staff members warned administrators that the student might be armed — yet no action was taken. Moments later, the child shot Zwerner, striking her hand and chest. Despite her injuries, she ushered her students to safety. The Legal Battle: Accountability for Inaction Represented by Diane Toscano and Jeff Breit, the case against former assistant principal Ebony Parker alleged gross negligence for failing to respond to repeated warnings. Originally filed as a $40 million suit, the case argued that school administrators ignored multiple credible reports — a failure that nearly cost Ms. Zwerner her life. Expert testimony detailed her extensive injuries and emotional trauma, while Toscano’s legal team emphasized systemic failures in school safety response. The jury’s $10 million verdict confirmed that such inaction was both foreseeable and legally unacceptable. Why This Case Matters This verdict establishes a precedent for school safety accountability and signals to school systems nationwide that negligence will not go unchallenged. Key takeaways: - School officials have a legal duty to act on safety warnings. - Failure to respond can result in multi-million-dollar liability. - Teachers’ rights to a safe workplace are enforceable under Virginia law. Watch & Read More YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsDRzuFaXFI Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/virginia-teacher-shot-by-6-year-old-awarded-10-million-civil-trial-2025-11-06/ AP News — https://apnews.com/article/68865dde6f4953ef8a9dbda30e957ddb