- DivorceIn Virginia, a spouse who decides to get divorced has a decision to make. Should they file for divorce based on fault grounds or no-fault separation grounds? This article will offer a “Virginia Divorce 101” overview on fault and no-fault grounds for divorce, the procedural difference between uncontested and contested divorces, and the advantages of uncontested divorce in terms of time and cost. Fault Grounds and No-Fault Grounds FOR Divorce In Virginia, a divorce... Read More
- Child SupportOur team handles legal separation and divorce, child custody, child support and visitation rights, equitable distribution, alimony and spousal support issues. Pender & Coward’s family law team has extensive experience handling all aspects of family law. Our team handles a wide range of cases from legal separation and divorce, child custody, child support and visitation rights, to equitable distribution, alimony and spousal support issues. We understand what a client is experiencing with legal troubles involving family law and are sensitive to the special concerns that accompany military divorces, international custody and divorce disputes, as well as domestic violence, reproductive rights and paternity issues.
- Child Custody and VisitationWe assist a wide range of clients involved in family disputes representing professional couples, business owners and those serving in the United States military as well as civil service. Located in Hampton Roads, we are particularly experienced in litigating child custody relocation cases, and understand the impact it has on all of the parties involved.
- Paternity
- Premarital AgreementAre Prenuptial Agreements valid and enforceable in Virginia? The short answer is: Yes, upon marriage. It is important to recognize the value of a Prenuptial Agreement. A Prenup is often perceived as an instrument that facilitates or encourages divorce. The true intention of a Prenuptial Agreement is to minimize conflict during the marriage and to avoid litigation and intrusion into their lives due to the unexpected event of divorce or death. This contract between... Read More
- Guardianship
- Spousal Support
- Legal Separation
- Criminal DefensePender & Coward's litigation attorneys have decades of experience in litigation in all areas of civil and criminal law, in both state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels. Clients include local and national businesses, financial institutions, governmental entities, as well as individuals, whenever defense or prosecution of a lawsuit is needed in any area of the law.
- DUI/DWIPender & Coward criminal and traffic defense attorneys represent individuals charged with traffic matters including speeding, reckless driving, accidents, driving under the influence (DUI), and driving with a suspended license. We provide representation for violent felonies, drug charges, and white-collar crimes, as well as misdemeanors including petty larceny, concealment, and assault and battery. Our attorneys appear in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts, General District Courts, and Circuit Courts throughout Hampton Roads.
- Wrongful DeathSuccessful defense of bus driver and transportation company in a wrongful death claim in which plaintiff claimed approximately $5 million in damages.
- Traffic ViolationsCriminal and traffic lawyers at Pender & Coward provide the experience and ability to navigate this complicated and often intimidating area of law in which our clients face the possibility of losing freedom and civil rights. We understand the concerns and anxieties of individuals charged with a crime or serious traffic violation. Our skilled and experienced attorneys strive to provide clients the best defense available in every case.
- White Collar Crimes
- MisdemeanorsMinor offenses that may invoke serious and permanent consequences particularly when drugs or alcohol are involved, examining each case on its specific facts to determine if the charges or conviction involve crimes in moral turpitude (CIMT), aggravated felonies and misdemeanors, or drug-related offenses
- Drug Crimes
- Assault
- Business FormationPender & Coward’s Corporate and Transactional practice attorneys advise clients from large international companies to family businesses to brand new start-ups in all stages of the business cycle. We handle matters ranging from business formation, financing, structuring acquisitions and sales, to end stage planning and exit strategies. Our attorneys routinely serve as outside general counsel for small and medium size businesses and assist clients with ongoing business strategy, recurring legal issues, and litigation.
- Business DisputesWe serve as arbitrators and mediators resolving complex construction and contract disputes. In our role as mediators and arbitrators, we serve as a neutral party to facilitate an agreement of the parties through dispute resolution. When we serve as a mediators, we do not make a decisions regarding a dispute but only assist the parties in reaching a resolution. On the other hand, when we serve as arbitrators, we are empowered to make a final binding decision. In addition to acting as an advocate for parties in a dispute, Pender & Coward's attorneys have the training, knowledge of rules which govern mediation and arbitration, and experience to handle large complex construction and commercial contract disputes.
- Business TransactionsOur maritime and admiralty attorneys offer exceptional experience and excellent value for a broad range of maritime, intermodal, shipping and transportation related matters, including business transactions, litigation, mediation and arbitration. Our clients include marine terminals, shipyards, a marine construction company, an intermodal chassis operator, a container ship line, an intermodal storage company, state transportation agencies and a multitude of waterfront related businesses. Our attorneys have represented P&I Clubs, stevedores, marine security operators, an airport, a marine elevator manufacturer, tug and barge operators, bridge operating municipalities, commercial fishing fleet operators and associations, and recreational boaters. Among other legal issues, our maritime and admiralty attorneys handle transactions and cases involving...
- Limited Liability CompaniesOur attorneys have extensive experience handling income tax issues that may arise in the operation of sole proprietorships, C-corporations, S-corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. We understand that avoidance of tax controversy, risk reduction, tax efficiency, and the successful resolution of disputes can impact every business decision from day-to-day operations to the acquisition or disposition of a business. We assist in structuring acquisition and disposition of business interests, with serious consideration of the impact on our client’s estate planning and wealth transfer taxes. We understand that estate planning decisions impact, and are impacted by, the businesses our clients own.
- Construction ContractsPender & Coward’s Construction Law attorneys represent large and small businesses, as well as individual owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and material men. We negotiate and handle building construction contracts, repairs, rehabilitation and demolition of commercial, governmental, and residential buildings, and roadways, dams, bridges, bulkheads, and golf courses.
- Intellectual Property
- Workers CompensationPender & Coward workers' compensation attorneys are experienced in the assessment and defense of claims brought under the Virginia’s Workers’ Compensation Act. We routinely appear before the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission trying cases. Our representation extends to appeals of commission decisions before the Court of Appeals of Virginia.
- Employment Discrimination
- Employment ContractPender & Coward's labor and employment attorneys have decades of experience providing advice and guidance to government, businesses and employees regarding employment contracts, wage and salary issues, and all areas of state and federal employment law.
- Sexual Harassment
- Real Estate LitigationMark was elected to serve as the firm's CFO in 2017. With over 20 years of legal experience, Mark began his legal career as a law clerk at Pender & Coward after serving in the United States Marine Corps and operating an import and wholesale distribution company. He focuses his practice on litigation, business and real estate matters.
- Construction LitigationOur corporate lawyers can help choose the right type of entity for a business, organize joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, affiliations and subsidiaries. We review contracts and leases, and draft agreements tailored to specific business’s needs, handle contract negotiations, including franchise agreements, license agreements, service agreements, construction agreements, business succession planning, stock and asset transactions, employment manuals, and more.
- Real Estate TransactionsPender & Coward's real estate attorneys represent buyers, sellers, lenders, investors, and land developers in all phases of both residential and commercial real estate transactions.
- Eminent DomainPender & Coward is seeking a Virginia-licensed attorney to join the firm’s Eminent Domain / Right of Way Practice Group to advise and represent governmental, quasi-governmental, and related entities. State or local government experience and... Read More
- Easement
- Land Use and Zoning
- Landlord-Tenant DisputesAdditionally, our knowledgeable attorneys can assist with landlord and tenant negotiations, evictions, and complex lease drafting for both commercial and residential real estate.
- Property DamageSuccessfully prosecuted a wake damage claim after a USCG Cutter generated a large wake causing property damage on a derrick barge that was in the midst of a heavy lift.
- Citizenship and Naturalization
- Family ImmigrationExperienced in obtaining immigration benefits for U.S. citizens, non-citizens and employees. Business clients value our advice on the recruitment and retention of non-U.S. citizen workers. Individuals seek our advice on immigration options for themselves or friends and loved ones. Our employment-based immigration work includes employment authorization, sponsorship, and verification for workers across all fields. Our family-based immigration work includes spousal and family petitions, removal of conditions on residence, and work and travel authorization. We assist with immigration matters that arise with criminal law, representing detained individuals, and assisting other attorneys handling immigration issues. Our lawyers have extensive experience with the immigration consequences of criminal law, and these two areas are often intertwined.
- Employment ImmigrationPender & Coward immigration lawyers work with businesses and individuals on immigration and naturalization matters with a primary focus on employment and family-based services. We have expertise in assisting foreign nationals, obtaining visas, green cards, I-9 documents, and employment-based immigration.
- Student VisasObtaining student visas (SEVIS, I-20, F-1), applying for waivers of 2-year foreign residency requirement when eligible, navigating options in J-1 status, and evaluating options for aliens who entered without inspection (EWI) or are potentially subject to unlawful presence bars with potential relief under DACA or prosecutorial discretion
- Personal InjuryPender & Coward attorneys know the laws that apply to personal injury accidents. We understand accident-related injuries and may recommend specific care and medical tests for our clients that can impact a settlement and a future medical outcome.
- Medical MalpracticeOur insurance defense lawyers handle insurance litigation for individuals and businesses against claims of personal injury, wrongful death, and other types of casualty loss, including motor vehicle, truck and bus accidents, traumatic brain injury, premise liability cases, medical malpractice claims, and civil rights violations. We provide litigation advice from the inception of a dispute through trial and appeals and represent clients in state and federal courts throughout Virginia at all levels, as well as in alternative dispute resolution proceedings, including arbitration and mediation.
- Auto Accidents
- Medicaid Planning
- Estate PlanningPender & Coward attorneys provide assistance with all facets of trust and estate planning and administration. Our attorneys often work closely with a client’s other advisors including accountants, financial planners, investment managers, trust department officers, and insurance advisors, as well as other attorneys with related practices at Pender & Coward, to collaboratively ensure our clients’ benefit from the collective knowledge of their team of chosen professionals.
- Wills
- TrustsWe listen closely to the unique needs of each client. The members of our Trusts & Estates Group are skilled in creating comprehensive estate plans for the distribution and protection of assets, which can help minimize estate and other transfer taxes and maximize the assets passed to beneficiaries. We listen closely to the unique needs of each client and provide carefully tailored and personalized instruments to meet each client’s specific needs and goals.
- Power of Attorney
- Probate
- Bankruptcy
- ForeclosureOur banking and finance attorneys also have decades of experience working with the banking and credit union business community to enforce creditor's rights and remedies, including problem loan workout, collateral liquidation including foreclosure and UCC sales, special assets, deficiency collection and in bankruptcy proceedings, including relief from stay, actions to block discharge and plan confirmation issues. Our attorneys also stand ready to defend against lender liability claims in Federal and state courts. We are proud of our good reputation working with most of the leading banks and bankers in Southeast Virginia and Northeast North Carolina.
- Tax LawOur tax attorneys work with our clients’ accountants and tax preparers. Pender & Coward attorneys advise individuals and businesses regarding their income, estate, gift, and wealth transfer matters. We also frequently advise our clients regarding tax issues as an integral part of other representations, working closely with our firm’s corporate, real estate, banking, and domestic relations attorneys to provide comprehensive advice. Our tax attorneys work as efficient team members with our clients’ accountants and tax return preparers, with the goal of preventing duplication of effort and reducing overall transaction costs.