Senior Associate: Real Estate Litigation- Richmond

Hirschler, a dynamic, multispecialty law firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is seeking an experienced Real Estate Litigation Associate to join our Litigation Practice. Our attorneys routinely counsel clients through complex development and redevelopment projects, including large-scale commercial and industrial developments such as data centers. This position is based in our Richmond office, with occasional travel to Fredericksburg or Tysons offices as needed.

About the Role:

This attorney will represent developers, property owners, investors, businesses, and other clients in a broad range of real estate disputes and regulatory matters, including land use and zoning litigation, tax assessment appeals, condemnation proceedings, property rights disputes, and challenges involving development approvals. The ideal candidate is a strong litigator who also excels as a strategic advisor. The practice involves significant client counseling, strategic risk assessment, drafting and redrafting of applications, correspondence, agreements, legal analyses, and other project-related documents, as well as careful documentation of legal advice and business decisions. Successful candidates will be comfortable navigating matters where legal, regulatory, political, and business considerations intersect.

Responsibilities:

Represent clients in real estate, land use, zoning, condemnation, and property rights disputes in state and federal courts.

Handle tax assessment appeals, eminent domain and condemnation proceedings, zoning appeals, and other administrative and judicial challenges involving real property.

Advise developers, property owners, investors, and business clients on land use and entitlement matters, including Conditional Use Permits (CUPs), special exception permits, rezonings, comprehensive plan amendments, and zoning ordinance interpretations.

Counsel clients regarding litigation risks, regulatory requirements, and strategic business considerations throughout the development process.

Draft and argue pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery requests and responses, and appellate filings.

Conduct legal research and prepare analyses involving land use regulations, constitutional property rights, eminent domain, taxation, administrative law, and real estate disputes.

Draft, review, revise, and negotiate applications, agreements, correspondence, position papers, legal memoranda, and other project documentation.

Develop and maintain clear records documenting legal advice, strategic recommendations, and key business decisions.

Collaborate with planners, engineers, appraisers, consultants, elected officials, and other professionals involved in development and land use matters.

Represent clients before local governing bodies, boards of zoning appeals, planning commissions, administrative agencies, and courts.

Manage matters from inception through resolution, including hearings, mediations, trials, and appeals.

Required Qualifications:

Active membership in the Virginia State Bar or eligibility for admission.

6-9 years of experience in real estate litigation, land use litigation, or a related practice area.

Experience handling zoning appeals, land use disputes, condemnation proceedings, eminent domain matters, tax assessment appeals, and commercial real estate litigation.

Demonstrated ability to counsel clients on legal, regulatory, and business risks associated with real estate development projects.

Strong drafting skills, including preparation of pleadings, motions, briefs, legal memoranda, and other complex legal documents.

Experience managing substantial drafting and redrafting responsibilities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.

Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Ability to independently manage matters while collaborating effectively with clients and colleagues.

Ideal Candidates Will Have:

Experience representing developers, property owners, or investors in land use and entitlement matters.

Experience handling Conditional Use Permits, rezonings, special exceptions, comprehensive plan amendments, vested rights claims, and development approvals.

Experience with large-scale commercial, industrial, energy, infrastructure, or data center developments.

Experience appearing before planning commissions, boards of zoning appeals, administrative agencies, or local governing bodies.

Trial, evidentiary hearing, arbitration, or appellate experience.

Existing relationships within Virginia's real estate, development, business, or local government communities.

This position offers the opportunity to work on some of Virginia's most significant and complex real estate and development matters. The successful candidate will serve as both advocate and trusted advisor, helping clients navigate challenging disputes, regulatory hurdles, and strategic business decisions while supporting high-profile development projects from conception through resolution.

Compensation is dependent on several factors, such as position, location, education, training, and/or experience.