Real Estate

Bowles Rice represents clients in all aspects of real estate law, including both residential and commercial, as well as land use and development.  Our attorneys have negotiated and drafted documents relating to the construction, management, financing and operation of real estate projects, including grading and other improvement contracts, contracts with architects, engineers and other consultants; contracts with governmental agencies concerning the entitlement and improvement of projects; and, agreements with other developers and owners concerning matters of mutual interest, covenants, conditions and restrictions, easement agreements and management agreements.

Commercial Real Estate

Our experience in commercial transactions includes:

• Contracts, Options and Contingencies
• Permitting and Zoning Requirements
• Leases
• Environmental Issues
• Title Searches
• Build-outs
• Insurance Issues
• Deeds of Trust
• Eminent Domain
• Surveys Taxes

Residential Real Estate

Our residential real estate practice focuses on:

• Title Searches
• Insurance Issues
• Deeds of Trust/Mortgages
• Tax Issues
• Easements and Right-of-Way
• Condominium Law of Co-ops
• Zoning
• Liabilities and Risks
• Eminent Domain
• Adverse Possession
• Leases
• Contracts, Options and Contingencies
• Construction Law

Land Use and Development
Bowles Rice offers experienced counsel in an array of areas, such as planning, zoning and other land use matters, including compliance with state and federal sales registration requirements.  Our attorneys are skilled in guiding clients through the maze of steps involved in land development, including myriad required filings, approvals, permits, as well as title searches and insurance. 

Our knowledge in general land use and development allows us to work with both large and small developers in a variety of projects ranging from industrial and commercial ventures to residential projects, including apartment complexes and condominiums. 

Our real estate services include both complex and simple purchase and sale transactions and related financing arrangements; litigation matters involving real estate or mineral lease and contract preparation; title examinations; and, other issues generated by the energy and natural resources industries. We also represent clients in major commercial and mineral sales and acquisitions, and complex transactions typically involving a concentrated effort over a short time period. 

We have extensive litigation capabilities in state and federal courts, regulatory agencies, and commercial arbitration, litigating issues such as condemnation, right-of-way, contract disputes and natural gas storage. We also have extensive regulatory experience in both federal and state affairs, having appeared before public utility commissions in contested proceedings related to the pricing of alternative energy. 

Recognized Excellence
Bowles Rice holds the highest peer-review rating (AV) from Martindale-Hubbell, long considered the authoritative resource on the legal profession.  Bowles Rice is recognized as “First Tier” in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms publication for Real Estate Law in West Virginia.  Chambers USA ranks Bowles Rice among the top firms in the state for Real Estate Law and several Bowles Rice attorneys are recognized by The Best Lawyers in America®, America’s Leading Business Lawyers and Super Lawyers in Real Estate Law.