Local Government &
Public Entities
Guynn Waddell has an in-depth, practical knowledge of the laws and procedures that govern local communities. When situations progress beyond proactive measures and a local government needs defense, our firm provides litigation services in state and federal trial and appellate courts, before state and federal administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), State Corporation Commission (SCC), and in grievance hearings.
Our attorneys represent counties, cities, towns, and other local government entities and their employees and officials around the Commonwealth on issues concerning:
Personnel
Every local government entity and public entity has officers and employees. A myriad of federal and state constitutional and statutory mandates apply to how they manage and treat their employees. We assist you in preparing wise and legally defensible personnel policies, applying them fairly and evenhandedly, and defending you in the event that a former or current employee brings suit.
Real Estate
Acquiring or selling real estate can be an arduous process, even more so when public property is trading hands. Guynn Waddell attorneys assist municipalities in their efforts to determine easements and streamline the purchase and sale of real estate. We also assist local governments in negotiating the procedural complexities of eminent domain law.
Land Use
We help local governments navigate complex land use, infrastructure, and zoning challenges. Our team of experienced attorneys helps local governments make legally sound decisions on comprehensive planning, zoning, and subdivision matters. Once local leaders make a decision, we help defend it with our experienced land use litigators.
Procurement & Contracts
Government entities engage in procurement and contracting in everything from the purchase of office supplies to the construction of million dollar buildings. Officials must adhere to a complex set of rules regulating the use of contractors, competitive bidding, specific diversity requirements, and more. We can assist in complete direct complex procurement efforts, create and protect legitimate contracts, and ensure they meet the Virginia Public Procurement Act and the highest public-sector ethics standards. We are also specialists in complex public-private partnerships and intergovernmental agreements.
Constitutional Violations
We assist local governments and public entities and their officials to interpret, apply, and adhere to state and federal constitutional intent, mandates, and law. When alleged violations arise, our team can help mitigate exposure and help clients navigate towards the best possible outcome by providing advice and litigation services in response to lawsuits. Our attorneys are well-versed in the unique provisions of the Virginia Constitution relating to local government.
Liability & Torts
In an unpredictable world, Guynn Waddell attorneys are known for helping public entities and their officials and employees avoid unnecessary risk, proactively mitigate the negative side effects of potential exposure, and appropriately and professionally respond to claims and lawsuits in the most cost-efficient manner.
Authorities & Commissions
From formation to governance, Guynn Waddell attorneys work to assist the leaders of public authorities and commissions as they chart new courses to meet unique needs. In addition to proactive counsel, our attorneys represent public authorities and commissions in legal disputes leveraging deep knowledge of state, federal, and local codes as well as established precedent to advance each client’s mission objectives.
Eminent Domain
When it becomes necessary for local governments to use eminent domain to obtain property and compensate the owner, our attorneys can work to align the practical and legal needs of each community to help reach its goals legally, at a reasonable cost, and with an eye toward maintaining goodwill in the community. In this complex, procedure-driven area of law, the involvement of an experienced local government attorney at an early stage in the process is essential. We also have defended local governments when other entities have attempted to condemn their land.
School Boards & Education
School boards must often balance stakeholder interests with achieving measurable outcomes. Across the Commonwealth, Guynn Waddell attorneys work with school boards and their members to plan for progress, respond to issues, and meet obligations related to school policies, actions, and standards.
Infrastructure & Public Utilities
Our attorneys are familiar with the myriad of issues that local governments face in providing essential services such as water, sewer, trash removal and recycling, stormwater management, electrical power, and telephone. Lawyers at our firm are among the leaders in advising Virginia governments on public options to provide these essential services.
Economic Development
In the modern world, local governments play a large role in bringing good-paying jobs and economic development to our communities. Many use tools such as land use regulations, including zoning, comprehensive planning, and subdivision regulation, tax-exempt financing, creative public-private partnerships, and other incentives, often in collaboration with state government. Our attorneys have experience in creative economic development efforts.
Local Taxation
Local governments derive revenue from diverse sources. For most localities, the most important sources are local taxes such as real estate, personal property, machinery and tools, meals, sales, and business licenses. We assist local governments in structuring their tax load in a way that fairly distributes the burdens of government. We also defend all types of tax assessments in circuit court, before the State Tax Commissioner, and the State Corporation Commission when they are challenged.
FOIA, COIA, & Administration
The Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Conflict of Interests Act, and the arcane and sometimes conflicting statutes relating to government structure and administration can be difficult to navigate. Our attorneys have the experience necessary to assist local government entities in complying with these complex legal requirements.
Law Enforcement & Corrections
Guynn Waddell attorneys work with law enforcement and corrections personnel across the Commonwealth to educate, counsel, and defend. Our attorneys work side-by-side with clients to understand their perspective as well as each community’s unique needs and risk landscape.