Justine Fitzgerald Selected as a "Virginia's Go To Lawyer" for Commercial Real Estate

Hirschler is proud to announce that Justine Fitzgerald has been selected for inclusion in this year’s “Virginia’s Go To Lawyers” for commercial real estate law. She was nominated by her colleagues and chosen by a panel from Virginia Lawyers Weekly.

Justine earned her reputation as a “go-to” commercial real estate (CRE) attorney by approaching each transaction and client with a pragmatic perspective. She thoroughly examines the risks, benefits and tradeoffs required for every successful deal. She presents her thoughts and observations in a clear-eyed manner, carefully guiding her clients to reach an acceptable position based on facts, rather than emotion or chance. She then advises clients through the entire transaction, ensuring their comfort levels increase and risk tolerance remains manageable.

Justine’s practice concentrates on all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, including the acquisition and disposition of real property assets, development projects, debt and equity financing, leasing, joint ventures and the formation and operation of ownership entities. She has extensive experience negotiating purchase and sale agreements, ground leases, development agreements, architecture and construction contracts, office and retail leases and construction, permanent and mezzanine financing documents for commercial mixed-use, office, retail, residential and government projects in the Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland metropolitan areas, and around the country.

As Hirschler’s managing partner since 2021, she is responsible for the Tysons office’s daily operations and its more than 20 attorneys (and counting) and staff. In addition to her focus on her practice, she prioritizes investing in the future of Hirschler. Justine’s investment has been essential not only for the firm’s growth but also its commitment in recruitment, retention and advancement that will enable the firm’s next generation of leaders to thrive for years to come.

Beyond her legal work, Justine uses her real estate experience to serve nonprofit organizations in her community. Most recently, she joined the board for Wesley Housing Development Corporation, which provides support services and affordable, safe housing for D.C.-area families in need. She sits on Wesley Housing's Real Estate Development Committee to advise on new development projects, including bids to build affordable housing with up to 200 residential units. The organization currently operates 16 properties in D.C. and Northern Virginia and has another eight projects in development.