Firm News
David Bomgardner Recognized for His Contribution to the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association
Prince William, VA – Earlier this month, at the NVBIA President’s Ball held at the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner, Shareholder Dave Bomgardner was presented The President’s Award. NVBIA’s President, Jerry Berman, delivered the award. In his remarks that evening, Jerry recounted Dave’s “quiet commitment” to the organization and noted that he was a “steadfast member of the executive committee and board for many years.”
Dave works in the firm’s Real Estate and Commercial Business Transactions practice groups in the Prince William office and became involved with NVBIA soon after he joined Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C., in 1987. He chairs the organization’s Legislative Committee and is a Trustee of the NoVa Build PAC, its political action committee. Dave also represents NVBIA as a member of the Legislative Committee of the Home Builders Association of Virginia.
During the award presentation, Jerry called special attention to Dave’s extraordinary contribution of time, talent, and political and personal insight during his tenure, saying his legal expertise is something the association and the building industry appreciate greatly. “He has done a yeoman’s job both up front and behind the scenes,” said Jerry. “NVBIA is very lucky to have Dave on our team.”
Committed to serving the housing industry in the Northern Virginia area, NVBIA was formed to create an economic and political climate within which the building industry is able to effectively meet the demand for affordable, attractive, safe, well-planned, and environmentally sensitive residential and business communities. NVBIA also promotes professional development and recognition through seminars, workshops, and award programs and conducts a full range of educational programs designed to help members achieve desired certifications, gain knowledge about hot new topics, and improve their business practices.
To learn more about Dave’s practice areas and expertise, please visit our website. For information about NVBIA, visit www.nvbia.com.
Virginia Supreme Court Decision Provides Guidance on Conservation Easement Restrictions
Arlington, VA — In an opinion issued today, the Virginia Supreme Court upheld the decision in Wetlands America Trust v. White Cloud Nine Ventures, LP, related to the construction and interpretation of conservation easements in Virginia. Attorneys Andrew Burcher and Michael Kalish of Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C., represented the defendant, White Cloud. This important decision is the first to offer guidance to owners of property subject to a conservation easement on how to construe restrictions on the use of their property.
Consistent with the position taken by Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh and its client, the Supreme Court ruled that conservation easements are subject to the same strict interpretation rules as restrictive covenants. The burden lies on those who seek to enforce them, who must show a clear violation of the easement, and any ambiguity is interpreted in favor of the free use of property.
Shareholders Andrew Burcher and Michael Kalish work primarily in the firm’s litigation and commercial business transactions practice. They have represented numerous businesses, non-profits, and individuals in a variety of complex commercial transaction cases, bankruptcies, and corporate matters in state and federal courts in Virginia. For more information about Wetlands v. White Cloud Nine, please contact Andrew Burcher or Mike Kalish at 703.680.4664.
Andrew Painter Named to the 2016 Falls Church Chamber’s Board of Directors
Andrew Painter, a shareholder in the firm’s Arlington and Loudoun offices, has recently been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. While on the Board, he will work to advance the Chamber’s mission to support economic and civic growth, advocate Chamber positions on critical business and land use issues, and encourage quality business ethics and community respect.
A resident of Falls Church, Andrew specializes in zoning, land use, and commercial development. He has written extensively about the region’s land development history, and received an award from the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association for his review of enduring rural landscapes in Fairfax County.
Andrew earned his J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law and a Master of Urban & Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia. He lives in Falls Church with his wife, daughter, and twin sons.
Northern Virginia Magazine Lists 2015 Top Lawyers
Six shareholders and one associate from Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C., have been listed in Northern Virginia Magazine’s 2015 Top Lawyers list. The list is compiled by industry peers. Our firm’s top lawyers are shareholders Tom Colucci (recognized for Property Tax and Real Estate), Art Walsh (Zoning, Planning and Land Use), John Foote (Zoning, Planning and Land Use), Lynne Strobel (Zoning, Planning and Land Use), Bill Fogarty (Homeowners Association Law and Real Estate), and Mike Lubeley (Real Estate and Zoning, Planning and Land Use). This year’s newcomer to the list is associate Chuck McWilliams, recognized for Estate and Gift Taxation, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Trusts and Estates, and Wills and Probates.
Washingtontonian profiles The Land Lawyers in “Top Lawyers” Special Section
On Newsstands now!
Image source: Richard A. Frasier for Washingtonian
APAH Acknowledges Bill Fogarty for 20 Years of Leadership and Support
For Immediate Release October 9, 2015
Contact: Susan Lynch, Marketing, Media Content & Creative Services Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C. 703.528.4700 slynch@thelandlawyers.com Emily Simmonds, Communications Associate Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing 703.276.7444 esimmonds@apah.org Arlington, VA—The evening of October 6, 2015, was a night to celebrate, raise money, and acknowledge community leaders who have come together over the years to support the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing. Bill Fogarty was recognized for his dedication and his 20 years of serving on the APAH Board of Directors, chairing various APAH committees, and serving as Board Chair from 2010 to 2011. Bill has taken on various roles at APAH since its beginning as a small non-profit and has worked with the organization as it has achieved great success as an award-winning developer that provides Arlington County with affordable housing programs and offers support to residents through partnership programs. Since graduating from law school, Bill, a Shareholder, has worked in the firm’s Arlington office in the real estate and commercial business transactions practice group preparing and executing, among other things, development agreements for commercial, retail, and residential (including mixed-use) projects. “I have been Bill’s colleague for 27 years,” said Lynne Strobel, Shareholder, “and he is devoted to his work, his community, his family, and his friends. Bill is a great lawyer and advocate, and an even better friend.” Bill has been voted among the “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business magazine, is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and has served on the Walter T. McCarthy Law Library Board. Bill has been a club manager for the Arlington Soccer Association—by his calculation he has coached more than 300 games—and has led the Arlington office’s softball team to victory over its interoffice opponents five times. Bill and his wife, Elizabeth, have lived in Arlington County for more than two decades and continue to be active in the community. Bill was honored on Monday night along with Mark Silverwood, President and CEO of Silverwood Companies. Their commitment and dedication to APAH helps support the award-winning programs that improve the lives of many Arlington County residents—programs that demonstrate effective ways to repurpose low-income housing tax credits to leverage local funds for affordable housing to serve more than 1,200 households in 14 properties throughout Arlington. You can learn more about APAH by visiting apah.org.
###
About the firm—Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C., is a mid-size civil law firm that specializes in all aspects of land use and zoning, real estate transactions, land use litigation, and condemnation. Other core competencies include complex commercial litigation, title insurance litigation, and trusts and estate planning. Our offices are strategically located in Arlington, Prince William, Loudoun, and Frederick Counties with substantial practices in the Cities of Fairfax and Alexandria. The name Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh stands for high-quality, intelligent counsel. For more information, please visit our website, and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
The Land Lawyers’ 18th Annual Golf Outing Nets Research Funding for JDRF
For Immediate Release
October 2, 2015
Contact:
Lou Haley, Administrator
Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C.
703.528.4700
lhaley@thelandlawyers.com
Kathy Burk, Associate Executive Director
Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Chapter of JDRF
Serving Washington, D.C., Maryland, Northern Virginia
443.792.4231
kburk@jdrf.org
Arlington, VA—For the past 18 years, Martin “Art” Walsh, founding shareholder at Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C., has hosted a golf outing to raise funds for JDRF, the leading global funder of Type 1 Diabetes research. The annual event is dedicated to the memory of Art’s late brother, John Walsh, who was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 5. This year, 141 golfers turned out to play golf at Westwood Country Club in Vienna, Virginia.
T1D is a life-threatening autoimmune disease that afflicts both children and adults. There is no way to prevent it and, currently, no cure. “I know first-hand that T1D is a terrible disease,” Art said as he addressed the golfers prior to tee off. “It’s my great pleasure to host this event and do whatever I can to support JDRF.” Among the 24 teams playing that day was Washington Wizards play-by-play announcer Steve Buckhantz, who has participated in nearly all 18 golf outings since its inception.
Steve also acted as the evening’s guest auctioneer following a reception and buffet dinner held in the club’s ballroom overlooking the 18th hole. Steve led the friendly but fierce bidding as guests vied for auction items that ranged from a three-night stay in a golf villa at The Homestead, to six tickets to the Washington vs. Dallas football game with limo included.
Every golfer who participated in the outing received a gift, but the largest gift was the donation to JDRF. The $75,500 raised this year increases the total amount the annual event has contributed for T1D research to more than $1.1 million. Plans for next year’s event are in the making. Please contact Michelle Stapleton at 703.528.4700 for more information.
Learn more about T1D and the many ways to donate by visiting jdrf.org.
###
About the firm—Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C., is a mid-size civil law firm that specializes in all aspects of land use and zoning, real estate transactions, land use litigation, and condemnation. Other core competencies include complex commercial litigation, title insurance litigation, and trusts and estate planning. Our offices are strategically located in Arlington, Prince William, Loudoun, and Frederick Counties with substantial practices in the Cities of Fairfax and Alexandria. The name Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh stands for high-quality, intelligent counsel. For more information, please visit our website, and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Five Shareholders From Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C., Were Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2016
Best Lawyers© is a peer-reviewed publication listing the most respected legal professionals from more than 70 countries around the globe. This year, Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh is ranked nationally in the top tier for Land Use & Zoning and in the metro Washington, D.C., area for Land Use & Zoning Law, Litigation–Land Use & Zoning, Litigation–Municipal, Municipal Law, and Real Estate Law. In addition, five shareholders were recognized as 2016 Best Lawyers in America©. Two of the five shareholders were named Lawyer of the Year: John Foote for Land Use and Zoning Litigation, and Mike Lubeley for Land Use and Zoning Law. John and Mike are joined by Art Walsh, Nan Walsh, and Garth Wainman as Best Lawyers. Read more about what makes them great lawyers in tomorrow’s issue of Virginia’s Land Sense. Not a subscriber? Sign up here.
