Residential & Commercial Waterfront Property Clients in Virginia
Virginia Residents
Residential cases directly impact the riparian and littoral rights of waterfront property owners. Whether you're looking to build a pier on your property or need help dredging a waterway to access the water again, Jim Lang's advanced legal degree in environmental law, the decades of legal experience built up by the four attorneys on the Pender & Coward Waterfront Law Team, and the team's experience working with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and other regulatory agencies, equips them with the hard-earned know-how that helps their clients clear up waterfront land development legal issues.
Learn MoreCommercial Representatives
Your company has a lot on the line when acquiring commercial or industrial waterfront real estate. You need a trusted, knowledgeable legal advisor for that and also when something comes up that threatens your ability to operate your waterfront business in the face of environmental and other types of challenges. Our four-attorney Waterfront Law Team, backed by the strength of the Pender & Coward law firm, has decades-long experience in federal and state courts, in federal and state agencies, local boards and commissions, and negotiating deals between private parties.
Learn MoreDo You Know Your Rights?
Piers and Docks
Building a Pier or Dock for Your Virginia Waterfront Property
Oyster Aquaculture
Oyster Planting Ground Leases, Floating and Bottom Cages
Wetlands
Virginia Wetlands Compliance and Provisions
Poultry Farms
Industrial Farming Along the Eastern Shore
Waterfront Land Development
Environmental Law Legal Services for Development
Waterfront Property
Commercial and Residential Buildings on the Waterfront
Client Testimonials
Real Estate Investor in Virginia Beach VA
Trust and heart are the two words that I will use to describe working with Jim Lang. I trust Mr. Lang to do a great job for me, and let me know up front what my legal fees will total. In the past, he has given me the option to do some of the legal work myself in order to stay within my budget. Mr. Lang also has a heart. He understands life's many ups and downs. I felt that he was really on my side, that he was concerned about me, and how I was doing with my new business. Mr. Lang is an outstanding lawyer but more importantly, Mr. Lang is a good man. I highly recommend him.
— Liz R.
Small Business Owner in Virginia Beach VA
Jim Lang has represented my company and myself in litigation several times. These were events that occurred at years of doing business of no fault of my own. I can not express the relief of having Jim by my side. The courtroom is not a place I like to find myself. He was very knowledgeable, professional, and understanding. He explained all my options and even what was going to occur before it happened. He knew what opposing council was going to do like as if he read their notes.
— David M.
Wetlands Violation Defense in Chesapeake VA
Thank you so much Bryan Peeples, attorney for Pender and Coward for representing my company in a legal matter. The situation was handled in a timely, professional way and we are so happy with the positive outcome!! We would highly recommend Mr. Peeples and the firm of Pender and Coward to anyone needing sound, legal representation. Great job!!!
— Gary S.
Pier Litigation on the Potomac River in Lorton VA
Hi Jim and Jeff, Yay!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can't tell you how relieved I am and how much I appreciate your efforts on our behalf! Jim and Jeff, we always were confident that we found, not only the right attorneys in you, but also true advocates for our case. Thank you so much for your diligence and for the thoughtful and thorough way you represented us!
— Mary S.
Pier Construction on the Eastern Shore VA
My husband, Paul, and myself cannot say enough good things about our experience with Pender and Coward. We worked with James Lang and Jeff Wilson on a rather complicated issue that we were not sure we could get a solution to. However, because of their professionalism, their vast knowledge and the ease with which they worked with us, it ended up to be a great success story.
— Louisa F.
Realtors Association in Virginia Beach VA
Your presentation (plus Tom's) was one of the most important educational sessions I've attended in my 30+ years in real estate. I sincerely value your good advice.
— Betty Moritz, Associate Broker, BHHS Towne Realty
Our Experienced Team of Attorneys
Jim Lang and his team at Pender & Coward, P.C. work hard to protect the rights of Virginians who live, work, and play on the 3,285 square miles of water in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Jim and his team have decades of experience taking care of people like you throughout Virginia in all matters related to waterfront (riparian) property rights, maritime & admiralty law, and environmental law.
In The Community
Going the extra mile. For Jim Lang, his fellow attorneys, and staff members at Pender & Coward, P.C., this Restore the Shore community service project was the natural next step in a more than three-year highly successful legal effort to clear an inlet of some 30 hulking, rusting vessels.
"Jim's maritime background was really essential to putting this all together."
— Bob Kerr, Kerr Environmental Services
Commonly Asked Waterfront Law Questions
What are Riparian Rights in Virginia?
Riparian rights is a legal system that allocates the right to use water and bottomland among owners of waterfront property. Our experienced team of attorneys can help you navigate your riparian rights under Virginia law. Owning waterfront property is no small investment, and all waterfront property owners are purchasing their property and the riparian property rights that come with it.
Learn MoreHow Do I Build a Pier in Virginia?
A common reason for living on the water is so property owners can have access to deeper water through a pier. Building a pier may seem simple, but there are a variety of disputes that can arise and hinder construction. Our team shares the common pitfalls that waterfront property owners face when pier building.
Learn MoreHow Do I Use Riparian Rights to Establish a Riparian Area?
A riparian area is unique to each waterfront property. Under Virginia law, only a Court can establish the riparian area for a waterfront property. This process can be quite extensive and complicated. Learn more about the requirements waterfront property owners must meet to establish their riparian area.
Learn MoreDo I Control What Happens on the Water at My Waterfront Property?
Waterfront property owners must depend on bottomland ownership if they want to control the water on their waterfront property. For properties on a creek, river, bay, or shore of the sea, the requirements for bottomland ownership may differ. Learn more about how bottomland ownership can impact your riparian rights, and how to navigate it.
Learn MoreContact Us
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