THE DECKER LAW FIRM - PETER G. DECKER, III, AND MATT BUTLER

“People helping people” guides 50 years of service

by Judi Tull

Attorney Peter G. Decker, III

This is the fifth in a series of stories about The Decker Law Firm, its attorneys and staff.

Attorney Peter Decker Jr. recently celebrated a milestone when he marked the 50th year since he was admitted to the Virginia bar. The firm he founded — now Decker, Cardon, Thomas, Weintraub & Neskis — has been committed to its motto of "People helping people" ever since. He graciously passes on to the next generation his passion for the law and for serving the firm’s clients with excellence.

His son, attorney Peter Decker III, and investigator Matt Butler are among them.

Investigator Matt Butler

It’s a weekday afternoon and Pete’s checking his calendar for the following day: seven hearings in five cities stretching from Virginia Beach to Richmond. As one of the firm’s trial lawyers, this is a young man on the move. He represents clients in all seven of the Hampton Roads cities on matters as intense as murder and personal injuries and as mundane as traffic tickets. Everyone, he insists, gets the same level of attention.

"What might seem like a small legal matter is not small to the person we’re representing," he says. "People’s lives are affected by everything we do."

He learned that philosophy from his dad, and likely got his outgoing personality, astonishing level of energy and involvement with his own young family and community charities from him too.

"My dad worked 12 to 15 hours a day when we were growing up," he says, referring to himself and his two younger brothers, Paul, who’s in real estate and construction, and Phillip, who’s a restaurateur. "But when the weekend came, or it was time for vacation, he was all about family. I have great memories. My dad is Santa and every holiday and all good things rolled into one."

Life was never boring growing up in the Decker household. Young Pete went to Greek school, took piano and karate lessons, and met the family mandate, which he describes as "get good grades and don’t get into trouble."

He went to Old Dominion and coincidentally found, right around the corner, what would be his first career for years to come. He went to work at the 4400 Campus Club on Hampton Boulevard part time as a student, rose to the position of manager and ended up staying for 10 years. He loved it.

He started to work as a disc jockey, and he got into club and entertainment promotions for Cellar Door Concerts. "I had a wonderful time," he recalls of those days.

And then it was time to think about settling down. He was already 30 when he started law school at George Mason University School of Law, even as he continued to work as a DJ. During his third year of school, he went to the Marshall Wythe School of Law at The College of William & Mary. "Just like my dad," he points out with pride.

"His compassion for others is genuine, and I learned
to treat people that way. He showed us that
people deserve to be treated well, whether they
are a head of state or the head of maintenance."

— Peter G. Decker III

Over the years, he had worked at his dad’s firm as a runner, an investigator, and a personal injury paralegal. When he graduated from law school in 1993, it was time to step up and step in.

"This is a dream come true to work for Pete," he says of his father. "His compassion for others is genuine, and I learned to treat people that way. He showed us that people deserve to be treated well, whether they are a head of state or the head of maintenance."

And like his dad, he often works 12-hour days. But when he’s off, he dedicates his time to his wife, Dana Jo, and their children Zoe, who’s 12, and Pete IV, who’s 10. The couple recently celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary. Dana Jo is a part-time teacher at the First Presbyterian pre-school and was the chair for the Norfolk Academy auction. The family lives in Algonquin Park.

Pete has handled many high-profile cases in the Hampton Roads area. As a result of one case in Suffolk, he and the family he represented were flown to New York to appear on the Today show. He is also proud to mention six-figure case settlements as well as fighting for his clients and their interests, even in cases where public sentiment was in opposition.

"I feel a sense of satisfaction, win or lose," he says. "My clients know they got the best possible representation and that I was prepared as well as any attorney could be."

Investigator Matt Butler is responsible for seeing to it that Peter, and all of the firm’s attorneys, are well prepared.

A Norfolk native, Matt graduated from Radford University with a degree in criminal justice in 1998 and came home to begin his career. For three and a half years, he served as a Magistrate in Norfolk, often working the overnight shift from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

"Magistrates are not tryers of fact," he explains. "They are the person between the law and the citizen. They determine whether there’s probable cause for the case to move forward."

During that time, he met some of the attorneys in the Decker Law firm. When he heard that they were looking for an investigator, he jumped at the chance.

For the past six years, he’s often been the first person from the firm to meet a new personal injury client, sometimes under trying circumstances.

"I go to wherever they are," he says, "whether that’s their home or a hospital room. People are scared and upset and they have questions. Who will take care of this? Who will pay the bills? What do I do now? It’s my job to put them at ease, to let them know that we’re here for them."

And then it’s Matt’s job to get the all-important details of exactly what happened. He interviews witnesses, police officers, takes photos, and, in general, builds the case that the attorneys will use.

"I love following the evidence," he says with a smile. I love how exacting everything has to be. Sometimes things seem to be going in one direction and then, based on the evidence that’s uncovered, it makes a complete turn. No day is the same for me. This work is never boring, and it’s tremendously satisfying — especially to see a good outcome for our clients."

Matt lives in Great Bridge with his wife, Jennifer, who’s a pharmaceutical rep. In their spare time, they take their 21-foot fishing boat out.

"I love fishing," he says with a grin, "and she does too. She even baits her own hooks. I got lucky."