Real Estate Investment and Development Attorneys in Virginia

We work with developers, builders, investors, and wholesalers to grow and protect real estate investments. Whether you are fixing and flipping one house or developing a neighborhood with more than 100 homes, we help you structure the investment, acquire the property, and limit your risk.

Builders, Developers & Investors
Entity Structuring and Investor Agreements
Land Use and Zoning Support
Licensed in Virginia & North Carolina

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WHO WE SERVE

BUILDERS, DEVELOPERS & INVESTORS

PROJECT SIZE

SINGLE HOMES TO 100+ HOME COMMUNITIES

WHERE WE WORK

VIRGINIA & NORTH CAROLINA

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT

Legal Support Built Around Your Investment Strategy

Real estate can be an excellent long-term investment, but each strategy carries its own legal risks. We help you set up each project so it is protected from acquisition through exit.

Developers & Builders

From land acquisition to finished homes or commercial space.

Land purchase contracts
Construction and builder agreements
Zoning and entitlement support

Investors & Wholesalers

Buying, assigning, and selling property for profit.

Purchase and assignment contracts
Fix-and-flip transactions
Investor and partner agreements

Landlords & Rental Owners

Building and managing a rental portfolio.

Entity structuring for rentals
Lease agreements
Portfolio acquisitions and sales

INVESTMENT SERVICES

Legal Support for Every Stage of the Project

We handle the legal work so you can focus on finding and executing deals. Our team works alongside our Real Estate Transactions and Business & Corporate Law attorneys.

Entity Structuring

LLCs and operating agreements that separate each project or property. See Starting an LLC.

Property Acquisitions

Purchase contracts, due diligence, and closings for land and investment property.

Joint Ventures & Investor Agreements

Clear terms for capital contributions, profit splits, control, and exits.

Construction & Builder Contracts

Agreements between owners, builders, and contractors that allocate risk and payment terms.

Wholesale & Assignment Contracts

Purchase contracts and assignments drafted to support your wholesale strategy.

Rental & Lease Agreements

Residential and commercial leases for investment properties.

Land Use & Zoning

Rezonings and permits for development projects. See Land Use & Zoning.

Sales, Exits & 1031 Coordination

Sale documents coordinated with your qualified intermediary and tax advisor.

Planning Your Next Project?

The right structure is easiest to set up before you buy. Talk with us before you sign a contract or bring in a partner.

TALK WITH US

THE PROCESS

From Strategy to Exit

Most investment projects follow the same core stages.

1. Strategy Call

We learn your goals, timeline, and investment strategy.

2. Structure the Investment

We set up the entity and partner or investor agreements.

3. Acquire the Property

We review or draft the purchase contract and handle title and closing.

4. Build or Improve

We prepare construction, contractor, and zoning documents as needed.

5. Lease, Sell, or Hold

We handle leases, sales, refinancing, and exit documents.

WHY COUNSEL MATTERS

Small Gaps Become Expensive Problems

Many investment disputes start with a document that was never written or a structure that was never set up.

Personal Liability Exposure

Holding property in your own name can put personal assets at risk.

Unclear Partner Terms

Disputes over money, control, and exit when expectations were never written down.

Zoning Surprises

A planned use or density the property cannot support.

Construction Disputes

Delays, cost overruns, and payment disputes without clear contract terms.

Assignment Restrictions

Purchase contracts that limit or prohibit assignment.

Tax & Exit Planning

Structures that create avoidable tax costs. Coordinate with your CPA early.

INVESTOR GUIDES

Resources for Real Estate Investors

Our attorneys explain the legal issues investors and developers face when acquiring, holding, and exchanging commercial property.

Ready to Protect Your Next Investment?

Tell us about your project and we will help you plan the next step.

GET STARTED

What Real Estate Clients Say About Working With Us

Real reviews from clients we have represented. Read all client reviews.

Chris

5-Star Client Review

I have used John McCormick and his team for many legal services including LLC formation and real estate transactions. All of the work they do is top notch. I’ve worked with other firms that routinely mess up the settlement statement and require correction at the final hour. I never have this problem with John and his team. When setting up my LLC, I asked a lot of questions and John was always prompt and knowledgeable with his responses. His paralegal Allison is great too and extremely knowledgeable. Great people and easy to work with. I highly recommend.

Quint B.

5-Star Client Review

John did an exceptional job and went above and beyond to assist us in handling a commercial transaction and everything that comes with it. We got sidelined by a larger firm and decided to go with John after talking with him; turned out to be one of our best decisions! He did a great job all around, especially good at communicating (phone, email), really helped us throughout the negotiation process, tells it to you straight (even the hard truths), phenomenal work ethic, and is very well respected by his peers. Can’t recommend him highly enough! He’s the only attorney we want to work with in the future. Thanks John!

Josh G.

5-Star Client Review

I could not have made a better selection on the quality of professionalism and service provided by McCormick Law and if I were to do it 100 times over, I would choose them every time. Thank you very much for your responsiveness, professionalism, and courtesy while assisting me through this process.

Tamika D.

5-Star Client Review

I’ve had nothing short of an excellent experience working with this firm! They are professional, prompt, experienced and fairly priced. They have navigated me through many questions, challenges and documents. I am forever grateful for their quality service and dedication!

Who You’ll Be Working With

Our real estate attorneys combine legal knowledge with practical investment experience, and we explain every step in plain English.

John McCormick

Attorney & Founder

John McCormick is the founder of McCormick Law & Consulting. He has represented investors, developers, builders, banks, lenders, and individual buyers in transactions involving shopping centers, apartment complexes, retail stores, restaurants, and hotels.

John is licensed in Virginia and North Carolina.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I hold investment property in an LLC?

Many investors use an LLC to separate the liability of each property from their personal assets. The right structure depends on your financing, insurance, and tax situation, so we coordinate with your lender and CPA.

Can you set up a joint venture with other investors?

Yes. We prepare joint venture and operating agreements that set capital contributions, profit splits, decision-making, and exit terms.

Do you represent real estate wholesalers?

Yes. We prepare and review purchase contracts and assignment agreements and help you understand the disclosure and contract requirements that apply to your deals.

Can you help with zoning for a development project?

Yes. Our Land Use & Zoning practice handles rezonings, conditional use permits, and related applications.

How are fees structured?

We offer flat fees on most matters. We discuss the details during your consultation and confirm the fee arrangement in writing before work begins.

Results depend on a variety of factors unique to each matter. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Client Reviews

We are proud to have almost 500 five-star client reviews across Google, Avvo, and other platforms, including our divisions.

Read All Reviews

Being a first time business owner, you want to make sure you're making all the right decisions. Choosing McCormick Law & Consulting, along with Emma and Taylor, made the process so easy! Emma understood right away what my primary concerns were, and was able to execute everything in a very timely manner! She was extremely easy to talk to and she took the time to explain everything to me, settling my nerves with taking this next big step. Taylor made the process of making it all official completely stress free.

Crystal G.

McCormick Law & Consulting was integral in the creation of our non-profit. We promised our 12 y/o son that we would keep fighting cancer for kids like him but we couldn’t have kept that promise without John McCormick and his team. We were hooked at our first meeting when John simply asked “ Tell me about you son.” McCormick Law and Consulting took care of all the legal work while allowing us to focus on our mission. John and his team continue to be a great resource and supporter of D-Feet Cancer The Dalton Fox Foundation. We couldn’t have asked for better legal representation. Thank you McCormick Law & Consulting.

William F.

I definitely could have created my new business, Davis Wealth Management LLC, but boy that would have been a mistake. Because business formation is not an area in which I practice, I had no idea where my blind spots were, and let me tell you there were plenty. The knowledge I received from the firm is invaluable.

John McCormick and his firm are very reasonably priced and quickly and efficiently assisted me in creating my new business. It was completely turn key; they did everything for me. I can't recommend their services enough. Also, huge shoutout to Taylor who kept me informed every step of the way!

James D.

I highly recommendMcCormick Law & Consulting! My Father and I live in two separate states and the properties he needed legal services for are in Virginia. I reach out to Taylor on two separate occasions and she was very responsive and professional. The first time we used their services it went so smoothly that by the time I needed their services again I knew I could just send over the necessary documents, pay my invoice and rest assured it would all get taken care of. They eliminated the stress that comes with handling some else's affairs and I so appreciate that.

Heather C.

From the the very 1st conversation with their office it was clear they would be responsive to all my questions and any support with my business. They are relatable and make their customers feel comfortable with any questions and or concerns that might arise while using their services. I am happy to have found them to support me with my small business needs!

Lisa N.

I can't say enough great things about the professional team at McCormick Law & Consulting! We really had no idea of who to trust and who we could count on for quick and professional service in the Hampton Roads area for getting our new business up and running smoothly and the Team at McCormick Law & Consulting really knocked it out of the park with us!

Jerry G.

I had the good fortune of working with McCormick Law on a business sales contract. I sent them the initial draft provided by the buyer along with a few notes about my specific concerns. They carefully went through the document and provided meaningful additions and corrections that better protected my interests. Thanks to Bobby and John for their personalized attention.

Arthur B.

Mr. McCormick and his entire team were amazing! They assisted me in a legal matter concerning a business dispute. Mr. McCormick is highly experienced, ethical, dedicated, and was prepared to fight my legal matter in court if necessary. I thank the entire team for believing in me and would highly recommend them to anyone!!

Jeanette L.

We used McCormick Law to start up another LLC and it was a great experience. I have used other lawyers and attorneys in the past and I experienced delayed responses and it was what I have come to expect.From the first interactions with Robert and his team, I was surprised to how responsive they were. I even mentioned to my new business partner that this was not normal and I was very happy.Needless to say I will be using McCormick Law for all of my business needs in the future.

Colton S.

I utilized this firm for help on a real estate matter. I felt comfortable with the advice I received and am happy to continue doing business with them and referring others to the practice. Everyone I engaged with was welcoming and made the process very easy.

Christian S.

John and his team were great to work with. They provided advice for starting my business and set everything up in an efficient and timely manner. I will definitely recommend them to others!

Elizabeth H.

I contacted McCormick Law firm to register my moving service in NC. They did an outstanding job. Completed the process way sooner than I expected. Thank you, Taylor.

Steve T.

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Disclaimer

McCormick Law, PC d/b/a McCormick Law & Consulting is a business law firm with offices in Norfolk, Virginia and Raleigh, North Carolina, handling mergers and acquisitions, outside general counsel, commercial real estate, nonprofits, and litigation, with criminal and traffic defense through Driving Defense Law and physician contracts through Med Contract Law. Whether you are a new or existing client of the firm, McCormick Law, PC, cannot represent you on any new matter until the firm has made a determination that there is no conflict of interest and that it is willing to accept the new engagement. The testimonials on this website reflect the real-life experiences and opinions of our clients. However, the experiences are personal to those particular clients, and may not necessarily be representative of all clients. We do not claim, and you should not assume, that all clients will have the same experience. Your outcome may vary.