Leading Virginia Wetlands Legal Services
Jim Lang Waterfront Law, a division of Pender & Coward, is the only law firm in Virginia with a dedicated, four-attorney, waterfront property law team. After completing law school, Jim Lang went back to pursue an advanced legal degree in environmental law (or an LL.M., Environmental Law), which included wetlands law. As part of that, he completed a thesis that was published in a nationally recognized environmental law journal.
Jim Lang's leading environmental law knowledge, along with his team's extensive experience, has helped exonerate clients, protect homes, and clear waterways. If you are considering conducting any type of construction activity in the Tidewater area or any other part of Virginia, it's important to determine if you are building on wetlands, and our team can help with the permitting process.
Whether or not you've already been charged with a violation, we recommend contacting our team and seeking legal counsel. Although no two cases are alike, an experienced attorney can mean the difference between a large fine and a dismissed case.
Our Waterfront Law Team's Wetlands Case Experience
Jim Lang Waterfront Law has handled a variety of wetlands cases involving tidal and non-tidal wetlands. Wetlands can be complicated to navigate with issues that range from difficulty acquiring a permit to unknowingly filling land that was a wetland. Other potential cases include, but are not limited to:
- Fighting to fill in wetlands to establish a better stormwater infrastructure system
- Exonerating a client who unknowingly filled in wetlands and was charged with violating wetlands law
- Forcing a waterfront property owner to remove their "floating junkyard" through wetlands law violations
Recent Wetlands Case Victories
In February 2020, we defeated a federal court challenge brought for the purpose of invalidating the wetlands permit our client received from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Winning the case upheld the permit and cleared the way for installation of a multi-million dollar stormwater infrastructure system that will eliminate flooding in a neighborhood of 250 homes.
In 2019, we represented a contractor charged with violating the wetlands law. In a companion case, a co-actor received a fine and was forced to purchase credits in a wetlands mitigation bank, all at a cost of $30,000. Our client was exonerated.
In 2016, we used the wetlands law, and other environmental laws, as the basis of a federal lawsuit that forced a wrongdoer to remove a "floating junkyard" of 35+ vessels from the river next to our client's property.
In 2015, we saved a client from being criminally charged for violating the wetlands law when Jim Lang, his lawyer, got into the river to install a turbidity curtain.
Useful Wetlands Case Resources
Criminal vs. Civil Laws of VA Tidal Wetlands in Environmental Law
What's the difference between criminal and civil law? Learn how Jim Lang went above and beyond to save a client from criminal environmental enforcement action.
VA Tidal Wetlands Violation in Review from an Environmental Lawyer
Tidal wetlands are highly protected and regulated by Virginia Law. Learn about permits, potential penalties, and more.
Waterfront Law Team Scores a Complete Victory to Protect Virginia Beach Homes
Read more about how our waterfront law team fought to protect property owners from flooding by fighting to fill in over an acre of wetlands.
We Protect Your Waterfront, Maritime, and Environmental Rights
Wetlands Case Client Testimonials
Construction Company Owner Charged with Wetlands Violation 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.
Explore All Virginia Waterways
We work in one of the longest and most diverse coastlines in the world — 7,213 miles. Click below to see examples of our work in other Virginia waterways.
Contact Us
Not ready to call? No problem — submit the form below and we'll get back to you promptly. We're here for you, on your terms.