Chandra D. Lantz - Attorney

Chandra D. Lantz - Attorney

 

Chandra's practice encompasses an array of commercial business disputes in state and federal courts with special emphasis on construction litigation and disputes connected with the use and development of real property. Her experience includes resolving, through court or otherwise, unique land use disputes on behalf of private entities as well as local governments. Chandra also maintains a general commercial litigation practice representing clients in both the prosecution and defense of significant contract claims, business torts, and insurance coverage disputes. Chandra routinely represents and advises owners, contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, sureties and others in the construction and real estate development industries regarding construction matters, title disputes, and zoning litigation. Her practice also includes title insurance issues including coverage, ownership, title defects and encumbrances.

Prior to joining the firm, Chandra was a judicial clerk for The Honorable Elizabeth B. Lacy of the Supreme Court of Virginia. She uses this insight in her appellate work before state and federal appellate courts.

Relevant Experience:

  • Prosecution and defense of construction and business disputes in arbitration and mediation proceedings.
  • Representation of developers, owners, general contractors and subcontractors in commercial and residential construction disputes in Virginia and Maryland.
  • Counseling on contract procedures, project management processes, risk avoidance, insurance coverage and business planning.
  • Negotiating and litigating complex insurance coverage disputes in construction claims.
  • Representing both landlords and tenants in lease negotiation, drafting and dispute resolution.
  • Prosecuting and defending construction companies in mechanics lien, Miller Act, and payment and performance bond disputes and claims.
  • Construction defects, performance disputes, delay and other impact claims, including federal, state, local and defense contracts.
  • Represented contractors impacted by defective designs, plans and specifications.
  • Represent local governments with land use matters, including zoning, planning and condemnation litigation.
  • Payment claims against public agencies, including municipalities, school boards, VDOT and others.
  • Appeals of adverse zoning decisions on behalf of developers and owners.
  • Establish title and boundary lines and clearing title defects and encumbrances.
  • Represent insurers and insureds in commercial insurance coverage disputes.
  • Constitutional rights and Section 1983 violations and defense.

Projects at the center of Chandra's construction practice include big-box retailers, university buildings, hotels and conference centers, science and research facilities, fast-food restaurants, hospitals, theaters, medical office buildings, sports complexes, arenas, rehabilitation centers, historic properties, courthouses, public schools, roads, bridges and private residences from starter homes to multi-million dollar estates.

Representative reported decisions in which Chandra has been involved include:

  • Davis v. Cole, 999 F.Supp. 809 (E.D. Va. 1998)
  • Hubbard v. Henrico Limited Partnership, 255 Va. 335, 497 S.E.2d 335 (1998)
  • Norris v. Mitchell, 255 Va. 255, 495 S.E.2d 809 (1998)
  • Pearsall v. Virginia Racing Commission, 26 Va. App. 376, 494 S.E.2d 879 (1998)
  • Virginia Financial Associates, Inc. v. ITT Hartford Group, Inc., 266 Va. 177 585 S.E.2d 789 (2003)
  • Perel v. Brannan, 267 Va. 691, 594 S.E.2d 899 (2004)
  • Richardson v. Amresco, 267 Va. 43, 592 S.E.2d 65 (2004)
  • Board of Supervisors of Loudoun County, et al. v. Town of Purcellville, 276 Va. 419, 666 S.E.2d 512 (2008)

Education:

  • Marshall-Wythe School of Law, College of William & Mary, J.D.
  • Connecticut College, B.A., cum laude

Published Works/Speaking Engagements:

  • Current Construction Legal Issues and Trends (Construction Finance Management Association, 2011)
  • 2010 Construction Issues Legislative Update, Virginia Construction Journal, Fall 2010
  • Pitfalls on the Path to Getting Paid, Virginia Construction Journal, Spring 2010
  • The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act:  Helping Virginia Contractors Bridge the Recession Gap with Public Work Construction Opportunities, The Virginia Bar Association News Journal, Fall 2009
  • Court Strikes Down "No Damages For Delay Clause" In Public Contract (2009)
  • Indemnification: Get It in Writing (2008)
  • Building Information Modeling: Today's Contracts Might Not Work With Tomorrow's Technology (2008)
  • Contract Provisions That Might Make You Want To Ditch A Project (2008)
  • Electronic Discovery: A Primer on the 2006 Federal Rule Amendments (27th Annual Construction and Public Contracts Law Conference, 2006)
  • Insurance, Indemnification and Bonds for Construction Projects (Fundamentals of Construction Law in Virginia, 2004)
  • Triggering Coverage of Progressive Property Loss: Preserving the Distinctions Between First and Third-Party Insurance Policies, 35 William & Mary Law Review 1801-1853 (reprinted in 7 National Insurance Law Review 475-520) (1994)

Pro Bono/Community Service:

  • Virginia Women Attorneys Association (President 2009-2010)
  • Virginia Bar Association Commission on Professionalism
  • Virginia Bar Association Construction & Public Contracts Law Council (Chair 2011)
  • Lewis F. Powell Inn of Court

Recognition:

  • Virginia Business Magazine's Legal Elite, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011
  • Virginia Super Lawyers, 2010 and 2011

Memberships:

  • Associated General Contractors (AGC)
  • Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
  • Local Government Attorneys Association (LGA)
  • Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW)
  • Lewis F. Powell Inn of Court
  • Virginia Bar Association (VBA)
  • Virginia Women Attorneys Association (VWAA)
  • American Bar Association (ABA)

Firm Involvement:

  • Chair, Local Government Law Group
  • Women's Initiatives Network
  • Risk Management Committee

Bar Admission:

  • Virginia
  • Maryland