Our Team Can Help You Win Your Virginia Oyster Aquaculture Case

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Leading Virginia Oyster Aquaculture Legal Services

Jim Lang Waterfront Law, a division of Pender & Coward, is the only law firm in Virginia with a dedicated, four-attorney, waterfront property law team. Oyster aquaculture has many benefits and is a large part of Virginia’s economy and environmental preservation. Over the years, oyster farms and waterfront property owners have faced many conflicts arising out of leases for submerged bottom land used for oyster planting grounds, and out of proposals to install floating aquaculture in waters above leased planting grounds. Our waterfront law team has experience with many of these cases. 

Our firm is dedicated to protecting the riparian rights of waterfront property owners, and has handled cases before the Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Our deep ties in the industry allow us to provide as many resources as possible to give our clients an advantage. For this reason, clients throughout Virginia seek us out. 

If you have any questions or concerns about oyster aquaculture, or if you are in a similar situation and are concerned about your riparian rights, feel free to contact our Waterfront Law team. Our team is ready to tackle any situation at hand.

 

Our Waterfront Law Team’s Oyster Aquaculture Case Experience

Our leading waterfront law team has successfully represented waterfront property owners before the Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC). 

Potential oyster aquaculture cases that may arise include, but are not limited to:

  • Oyster farmers applying to lease an oyster planting ground
  • Oyster farmers being prosecuted in court for improper oyster harvesting practices and potentially having their licenses revoked 
  • Waterfront property owners advocating at the VMRC for the agency to deny a permit for floating aquaculture cages.

 

Recent Oyster Aquaculture Case Victory

Jim Lang Waterfront Law has extensive experience handling oyster aquaculture cases and protecting our clients’ riparian rights. 

Our leading riparian rights legal team helped a waterfront property owner persuade the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to deny a permit submitted by a large industrial concern to install a 10-acre field of floating oyster cages. These cages would have been adjacent to our client’s property, and could have infringed on their riparian rights and potentially devalued their waterfront property. Our victory was able to preserve our client’s valuable riparian property rights (studies show that riparian property rights account for 25% to 45% of the value of residential waterfront property).

 

Useful Oyster Aquaculture Case Resources

Would you like to learn more about oyster aquaculture cases? We’ve created some helpful resources that further explain your rights.

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Waterfront Property Owners: Riparian Rights & Oyster Aquaculture

Read more about how “off the bottom” oyster growing equipment can interfere with riparian property rights and reduce the value of waterfront property.

 

Balancing Virginia's Riparian Property Rights & Aquaculture Activities

Learn why Governor Northam created the "Governor’s Work Group to Promote Sustainable Growth of Virginia’s Clam and Oyster Economy” to ease tensions between oyster farms and waterfront property owners.

 

Reducing Conflict Between Oystermen & Virginia Waterfront Property Owners

Experienced waterfront law attorney Jeff Wilson lays out a win-win situation for waterfront property owners trying to protect their riparian rights and oyster farms looking to expand production. 

 

Protecting VA Waterfront Property Rights From Spite Oyster Leases

Learn more about how spite leases are deeply affecting both the city and oyster production, and how Virginia legislature is fighting back.

 

VMRC and Oyster Farms in Virginia - How to Get Oyster Leases and More

Learn more about what an oyster lease is, how to receive one from the VMRC, and the economic impact of the oyster farm industry in Virginia.

 

 

We Protect your Waterfront, Maritime, and Environmental Rights

  • 30 years of experience

  • We win cases for our clients

  • We live and work in Virginia

  • We are members of waterfront trade groups

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We Fight For Our Clients All Across Virginia

Although no two cases are alike, click on the links above to see examples of our work helping Virginians in the waterways of Virginia. We’re standing by and ready to help navigate your unique situation - Schedule Your Consultation Now.

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REAL ESTATE INVESTOR IN VIRGINIA BEACH VA

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Thank Trust and heart are the two words that I will use to describe working with Jim Lang. I trust Mr. Lang to do a great job for me, and let me know up front what my legal fees will total. In the past, he has given me the option to do some of the legal work myself in order to stay within my budget. Mr. Lang also has a heart. He understands life's many ups and downs. I felt that he was really on my side, that he was concerned about me, and how I was doing with my new business. Mr. Lang is an outstanding lawyer but more importantly, Mr. Lang is a good man. I highly recommend him.

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SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN VIRGINIA BEACH VA

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Jim Lang has represented my company and myself in litigation several times. These were events that occurred at years of doing business of no fault of my own. I can not express the relief of having Jim by my side. The courtroom is not a place I like to find myself. He was very knowledgeable, professional, and understanding. He explained all my options and even what was going to occur before it happened. He knew what opposing council was going to do like as if he read their notes. I never at any time felt my decision for him to represent me was a wrong decision. I know sometimes life has a way of creating issues beyond your control. These issues can be handled in and a lot of times out of court. I know as long as James (Jim) Lang is my attorney I sleep better at night for those what if's life sometimes throws at you.

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CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OWNER CHARGED WITH WETLANDS VIOLATION IN CHESAPEAKE VA

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Thank you so much Bryan Peeples, attorney for Pender and Coward for representing my company in a legal matter. The situation was handled in a timely, professional way and we are so happy with the positive outcome!! We would highly recommend Mr. Peeples and the firm of Pender and Coward to anyone needing sound, legal representation. Great job!!!

- Gary S.

LITIGATION INVOLVING LARGE PIER ON POTOMAC RIVER IN LORTON VA

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Hi Jim and Jeff, Yay!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! . . . I can't tell you how relieved I am and how much I appreciate your efforts on our behalf! . . . Jim and Jeff, we always were confident that we found, not only the right attorneys in you, but also true advocates for our case. Thank you so much for your diligence and for the thoughtful and thorough way you represented us!

- Mary S.

HELPED CLIENTS BUILD PIER ON THE EASTERN SHORE VA

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My husband, Paul, and myself cannot say enough good things about our experience with Pender and Coward. We worked with James Lang and Jeff Wilson on a rather complicated issue that we were not sure we could get a solution to. However, because of their professionalism, their vast knowledge and the ease with which they worked with us, it ended up to be a great success story. They were able to handle something a bit out of the norm and helped us achieve our goal without the issue escalating. They listened and actually heard us and their communication was always immediate and personal. We can't thank them enough. They lifted a huge weight off our shoulders and we are forever grateful.

- Louisa F

WATERFRONT PROPERTY RIGHTS FOR REALTORS ASSOCIATION IN VIRGINIA BEACH VA

★★★★★

Your presentation (plus Tom’s) was one of the most important educational sessions I’ve attended in my 30+ years in real estate. I sincerely value your good advice.

- Betty Moritz Associate Broker, BHHS Towne Realty Liz R.
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Phone: (757) 502-7326

 

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