Real Estate

The firm's real estate practice enjoys broad capabilities. We represent landowners, institutions, developers and lenders in the acquisition, development, management, leasing, sale and financing of real estate.

Our experience in drafting contracts, development, subdivision, leasing, sales and loan documentation provides the client with greater representation than just "papering" the transaction. We go beyond drafting to ask whether risks are mitigated, positions preserved and value is explored. Likewise, a seasoned lawyer knows more than just the battlefield: he must also know the players. Consultation with other real estate professionals, such as appraisers, architects, engineers, accountants or brokers, adds key information to consider in developing strategies and solutions. Our contact base among real estate professionals is sterling.

The firm's collaborative approach encourages thorough consideration of factors unique to each matter: Land use and zoning factors can drive deal structure; litigation experience informs drafting and enforcement concerns; and tax analysis often merits additional review. Finally, we practice in some of the emerging areas important to the Northern Virginia region, such as the convergence of environmental, tax, and land use policies in matters such as conservation easements, wetlands mitigation banking, stream restoration credits and transfer or purchase of development rights programs.

Illustrative Representation and Transactions:

• Negotiated and successfully closed $9,000,000 dollar sale-leaseback transaction for leading Northern Virginia technology company headquarters.
• Successfully challenged renewal option of long-term tenant under below-rent retail lease in strip center and concluded lease termination.
• Guided owner through acquisition, zoning and subdivision analyses, proffer dispute and contentious architectural board review for 19-unit townhouse development in Middleburg.

Attorneys for this Practice Area:
Benjamin D. Leigh
Jaime D. Morehouse