Peter Decker, III
"Being able to help people in the community, that's the greatest part of my job."
Pete Decker III has built his career on a single, deeply personal premise — that being able to help people in the community is the greatest privilege the law has to offer. As a third-generation attorney at The Decker Law Firm, he carries forward a legacy his grandfather established and his father Peter G. Decker Jr. spent a lifetime strengthening: that the law, practiced with integrity and genuine care, can change lives.
Pete focuses his practice on criminal defense, traffic law, and personal injury, regularly appearing before the General District, Juvenile and Domestic Relations, and Circuit Courts of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Suffolk, and Newport News. He handles cases at every stage of the legal process — from preliminary and bond hearings through jury trials — in both state and federal courts throughout Hampton Roads.
Pete earned his undergraduate degree from Old Dominion University and his Juris Doctorate from George Mason School of Law in Arlington, Virginia in 1998, the same year he was admitted to the Virginia Bar. Joining his father’s firm, Pete quickly established himself not only as a skilled courtroom advocate, but as someone whose approach to the law mirrors the values The Decker Law Firm was founded on in 1961: putting people first, always.
“From day one, they fought for me and took the stress off my shoulders. I can’t recommend them enough.”
PETE’S HIGHLIGHTS
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AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Personal Injury
- Criminal Defense
- Traffic Law
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Commonwealth of Virginia, 1998
EDUCATION
- Old Dominion University — B. S.
- George Mason School of Law, Arlington, Virginia — J.D., 1998
Clients who have worked with Pete describe a lawyer who listens — genuinely listens — and who brings the same warmth and attentiveness his father was known for in the courtroom. One client noted that Pete has “the same easy caring manner that his daddy had,” and that it is clear he is well-respected wherever he practices. That reputation is no accident. It is built case by case, client by client, on a foundation of honest counsel, responsiveness, and results.
Beyond the courtroom, Pete Decker III is among the most civically engaged attorneys in Hampton Roads. He has served as Chairman of the Virginia State Board of Corrections — a position he was appointed to by Governor McDonnell — and as Chairman of the Norfolk Airport Authority. He sits on the Board of Directors of Towne Bank Norfolk and serves as a member of the Old Dominion University Board of Visitors. His appointment to the Norfolk Police and Fire Trial Board, and his role as an Associate Member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 28 and the Police Association of Virginia, reflect a deep and abiding respect for public safety and the institutions that sustain it.
Pete’s civic commitments extend well beyond government and institutional boards. He is a founding board member of the Peter Decker Children’s Charity, Inc., which supports fundraising for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. He has hosted the March of Dimes Signature Chef’s Auction and is an active member of the Law & Disorderly Club, a group dedicated to serving local children’s charities. He also serves on the boards of the Norfolk Drug Court Foundation, the Norfolk Sheriff’s Foundation, the Norfolk Public Library Foundation, the Virginia Beach Police Foundation, and the Citizens Advisory Council of the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
“Strong attorney-client relationships are built on trust, communication, and results — and that starts from the very first conversation.”
A man of deep faith, Pete is a member of Blessed Sacrament Church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus Council 3548 and the Order of AHEPA, Robert E. Lee Chapter. He has served as President of the Sons and Daughters of Lebanon, and is an active member of the Virginia Beach and Norfolk Bar Associations as well as the Norfolk-Portsmouth Bar Association Foundation board. His peer recognition — including a Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished Rating and the Avvo Client’s Choice Award — speaks to the breadth of esteem in which he is held across the legal community.
Pete Decker III is, in every sense, the living continuation of a family mission. His grandfather started it. His father built it. Pete carries it forward — with the same conviction that helping someone through their hardest day is not just a job, but a calling.
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS
- Board of Directors, Norfolk-Portsmouth Bar Association Foundation
- Virginia Beach Bar Association
- Board of Directors, Virginia Beach Police Foundation
- Board of Directors, Peter Decker Children’s Charity, Inc.
- Fundraising for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
- Host, March of Dimes Signature Chef’s Auction
- Law & Disorderly Club (benefiting local children’s charities)
- Knights of Columbus, Council 3548
- Order of AHEPA, Robert E. Lee Chapter
- President, Sons & Daughters of Lebanon
- Chairman, Norfolk Police/Fire Trial Board
- Associate Member, Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge No. 28
- Board of Directors, Norfolk Drug Court Foundation
- Board of Directors, Norfolk Sheriff’s Foundation
- Blessed Sacrament Church
- Board of Directors, Towne Bank Norfolk
- Board of Directors, Norfolk Citizens Advisory Council of the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Court
- Board of Directors, Norfolk Public Library Foundation
- Chairman, Virginia Board of Corrections
- Norfolk Police Foundation Board
- Member of the Old Dominion University Board of Visitors
- Associate Member, Police Association of Virginia
- (past) Chairman, Virginia State Board of Corrections
- Chairman, Norfolk Airport Authority
PETE KNOWS HAMPTON ROADS
-
28+
Years of practicing law
throughout southeastern Virginia. -
$8.8MM
Estimated number of
local clients represented by the firm over its decades of operation. -
100%
Focus on trial law,
courtroom litigation, and personal injury advocacy
within Hampton Roads.
LET’S TALK ABOUT WHERE YOU ARE
AND WHERE YOU NEED TO BE.
The Decker Law Firm is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for free consultations. Fill out the form below and a member of Pete’s team will be in touch promptly — because when something important is on the line, waiting shouldn’t be part of the process.



