Virginia has one of the most active real estate markets on the East Coast. From Northern Virginia’s commercial corridors to Richmond’s growing development scene, property transactions here can be complex, high-value, and legally sensitive. Whether you are closing a commercial deal, fighting a zoning dispute, or navigating a land use issue, working with the right real estate lawyer can make a real difference in the outcome.
Virginia is also home to a dense concentration of experienced real estate attorneys with deep roots in local planning authorities, federal agencies, and state courts. According to the Virginia State Bar, there are thousands of licensed real estate attorneys practicing across the state, but only a small number consistently earn recognition from the country’s most respected legal ranking bodies.
Here are five real estate lawyers in Virginia who stand out for their experience, track records, and peer recognition.
1. David E. Feldman: Commercial Real Estate & Land Use Attorney at Odin Feldman Pittleman P.C., Reston, VA
David Feldman is a founding member of Odin Feldman Pittleman and has been practicing since 1964, giving him over six decades of real estate law experience in Virginia and the D.C. metro area. He was inducted into the Virginia Lawyers Hall of Fame in 2024 and holds the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He has been named to Best Lawyers in America for Real Estate Law since 2010 and to Virginia Super Lawyers eight times.
2. Colin J. Smith: Commercial Real Estate Transactions Partner at Holland & Knight LLP, Tysons, VA
Colin Smith is a partner in Holland & Knight’s Tysons office with over 30 years of experience handling commercial real estate acquisitions, sales, financings, and leasing. Chambers USA has ranked him consecutively from 2020 to 2025, and Best Lawyers in America has recognized him every year from 2010 to 2026. His clients include Fortune 500 companies, government entities, and some of Northern Virginia’s most prominent developers and property owners.
3. John W. Farrell: Real Estate Development & Land Use Principal at McCandlish & Lillard P.C., Fairfax, VA
John Farrell has over 40 years of experience representing landowners and developers before county supervisors, planning commissions, and boards of zoning appeals across Northern Virginia. He handled the largest rezoning ever filed in Northern Virginia, covering 26 million square feet of nonresidential space. He is recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Litigation in Real Estate, Virginia Super Lawyers for Land Use Law, and Virginia Business Legal Elite in both Real Estate and Environmental Law.
4. J.C. Chenault, V: Commercial Real Estate & Finance Partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, Richmond, VA
J.C. Chenault is a partner at one of Virginia’s most prominent national law firms and has been named to Virginia Business Legal Elite for Real Estate/Land Use in 2025. His practice covers commercial real estate transactions, sale/leaseback structures, and real estate finance for REITs, private equity funds, and Fortune 500 companies. He advised on the development of a $1.5 billion, 60-megawatt hyperscale data center in Chesterfield, Virginia.
5. Robert G. Boyle, Jr.: Commercial Real Estate Attorney at Spotts Fain PC, Richmond, VA
Robert Boyle graduated magna cum laude and Order of the Coif from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and has built a nationwide commercial real estate practice from Richmond. Recognized in Best Lawyers in America for Real Estate Law, he has served as outside real estate counsel to a national entertainment company for over 15 years, handling multi-site acquisitions, master leases, and complex financing structures across the country.
How to Choose the Right Real Estate Lawyer in Virginia
The five lawyers on this list cover a wide range of real estate needs. Feldman and Farrell are strong choices for land use, zoning, and development matters in Northern Virginia. Smith at Holland & Knight is well-suited to large commercial transactions requiring a firm with national reach. Chenault at Hunton Andrews Kurth is the right fit for high-value transactional work involving investment funds or energy-adjacent real estate. Boyle brings a solid commercial practice for buyers, sellers, and institutional investors working across multiple markets.
Real estate legal work in Virginia ranges from straightforward residential closings to multi-hundred-million-dollar commercial deals. The right attorney depends on the complexity of your matter, the jurisdiction involved, and whether you need a litigator, a transactional lawyer, or someone with deep relationships in local planning and zoning bodies.
Each attorney on this list has earned their place through verifiable achievements and consistent peer recognition, not just marketing. If your real estate matter is significant, these are names worth knowing.
