-
What to Remember About Construction Delays and Force Majeure in Virginia
April 30, 2025 By Juanita F. Ferguson | Real Estate, Land Use & Construction Law
From persistent supply chain disruptions to severe weather events, 2024 brought a fresh wave of construction delays across Virginia. While many of these challenges may feel familiar, they’ve pushed one particular contract clause into the spotlight again: force majeure.
Read More...Aligning Business Succession Planning with Your Personal Estate Plan
Business owners invest significant time and resources into building their companies, yet many overlook the importance of a well-structured succession plan. Business succession planning is essential to ensuring the continuity of operations, protecting financial stability, and facilitating a seamless transition of ownership. A comprehensive succession plan should not exist in isolation, however. It must be aligned with the business owner’s personal estate plan to account for tax implications, legal complexities, and the long-term financial well-being of heirs and stakeholders.
Read More...Employer Alert: Virginia Expands Ban on Noncompetes to All Non-Exempt Employees
Effective July 1, 2025, it will be unlawful for Virginia employers to enter into noncompete agreements with employees who are eligible for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The new law significantly expands existing Virginia law, which, since 2020, has prohibited employers from entering or enforcing noncompetes with “low wage employees.”
Read More...Commercial Short Sales: A Growing Tool in the Distressed CRE Market
As commercial real estate (CRE) borrowers continue to navigate a challenging environment marked by rising interest rates, maturing debt, and declining asset valuations, one strategy is quietly regaining relevance: the short sale. Though long associated with residential distress, short sales are becoming a practical, lender-approved alternative to foreclosure in the commercial sector. Borrowers facing default and lenders seeking efficient exits are increasingly turning to negotiated sales below the outstanding loan balance as a way to manage risk, preserve value, and avoid prolonged legal proceedings.
Read More...What DC Area Restaurant Owners Should Know Before Closing Their Doors: Legal Considerations Amid Lease and Business Challenges
A recent survey by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington revealed that 29% of respondents are at least somewhat likely to close their restaurants in 2025. That number rises to 44% for full-service casual establishments. [1] For many DC area restaurant owners, already grappling with high operational costs, staffing shortages, and shifting consumer habits, this data confirms widespread industry concerns.
[1] https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2025/03/18/dc-restaurant-outlook-ramw-survey-shawn-townsend.html
Read More...When Employees Record Conversations: Virginia’s One-Party Consent Law and Workplace Impacts
A smartphone in every pocket means it’s easier than ever for employees to secretly record workplace conversations. Whether it’s a tense meeting with a supervisor or HR, or a casual conversation with coworkers, the ability to record those discussions with the tap of a button presents a real legal and operational challenge for employers.
Read More...CTA Update (March 26, 2025): FinCEN Proposes to Relieve Reporting Companies from BOI Reporting Requirements Under the CTA
On March 26, 2025, the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) published in the Federal Register an interim final rule that proposes to substantially narrow the existing beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) to “require only entities previously defined as ‘foreign reporting companies’ to file a BOI report.
Read More...Navigating Special Exceptions in Northern Virginia: Key Considerations
Northern Virginia, with its dynamic economy, presents significant opportunities for development. However, navigating the complexities of zoning and land use regulations is crucial for project success. One important mechanism within this regulatory framework is the “special exception,” known as a “special use permit” or “use permit” in some jurisdictions. Understanding special exceptions is essential for anyone looking to build or develop in this competitive market.
Read More...