Paul B. Terpak
Mr. Terpak is one of the premier Eminent Domain Lawyers in Virginia. He is editor of “Eminent Domain Law in Virginia” (2017), and is listed in BEST LAWYERS and SUPER LAWYERS in the area of Eminent Domain. He has five times been named Best Lawyers LAWYER OF THE YEAR in the DC Metro area in the area of Eminent Domain, most recently for 2024. In 2024, Paul was named to the Virginia Lawyer Hall of Fame, an honor given to about one of every thousand lawyers practicing in Virginia each year.
He has handled many hundreds of eminent domain (or condemnation) cases, including over 40 trials before juries and commissioners in every jurisdiction in Northern Virginia. With his mentor, Hugo Blankingship, Paul has obtained many of the largest condemnation awards in Virginia, including numerous multi-million dollar verdicts. Paul has handled many of the largest cases caused by the construction of the Hot Lanes project on the Beltway, the new Metro line to Dulles Airport and the Route 66 expansion. He has developed a special expertise in data center valuation, power line, billboard sign, and homeowner association condemnation cases. Despite his experience in very large cases, he regularly handles cases of all sizes, including homeowners and small business condemnations.
Practice Areas
Credentials
- University of Virginia, School of Law
- University of Virginia (Echols Scholar)
- Virginia State Bar
- District of Columbia
- Eastern District of Virginia
Representative Cases
- See case list in the Eminent Domain section of this website.
Eminent Domain and Condemnation
- Board of Supervisors of Prince William County v. Horner Road, L.C. Results in $4.4M Jury Verdict
- Commissioner of Highways v. Freedom I-66 Land, LLC results in $21M Settlement for Client
- Commissioner of Highways v. Gainesville GGP Results in $10.1M Settlement for Client
- Fairfax County Park Authority v. McCue and McCue Limited Partnership Results in $9.525M Settlement
- Franconia II, LP (Springfield Mall) v. VDOT $508,700 Settlement for Our Client
- Garber v. Prince William County Results in $15M Settlement for Client.
- H.G.L.C. v. VDOT Results in $67.4M Settlement
- Hayfield Farms Community Association II v. Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County Results in $1,857,920 Settlement
- Legend v. Virginia Power Results in $215,000 for Our Client
- Mac D Associates v. Fairfax County Results in $11,572,491 Jury Verdict
- Morrow Equipment Company v. VDOT Results in $1,209,949 Settlement
- Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority v. Dominion Virginia Power Results in a $1.9 million plus Settlement for Our Client
- O'Connor Family v. Loudoun County School Board Results in $6,468,200 Settlement for Client
- Rotonda Condominium Unit Owner's Association v. Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, Virginia Results in $1.35M Settlement
- Stafford County v. Crows Nest Successful Settlement for Condemnor
- VDOT v. Shadyac Results in $1,011,622 Jury Verdict for Client
- VEPCO v. Futura LLC Results in $400,000 Settlement
Selected Publications and Lectures
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Author, Valuation of Quarry Property in Virginia, Spring 2020, the Fee Simple (the newsletter of the Virginia State Bar Real Property Section).
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Author, May a Condemnor Compel a Landowner to Accept Land as a Component of Just Compensation?, Spring 2019, the Fee Simple (the newsletter of the Virginia State Bar Real Property Section).
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Editor, Eminent Domain Law in Virginia, Author, Trial Chapter (2012, 2017).
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Editor, Eminent Domain - State and Federal, 1993, 1998, 2003, Co-author "Regulatory Takings" chapter.
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Author, Obtaining Just Compensation for Condemnation of Common Area Owned by Homeowners Associations, July 2015, Quorum Magazine.
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Author, Limits on Consideration of Mandatory Dedications in Eminent Domain, Fall 2014, the Fee Simple (the newsletter of the Virginia State Bar Real Property Section).
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Co-author, Eminent Domain Chapter in The Virginia Lawyer, (2011-2013).
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Lecturer, “Successful Condemnation Actions,” Eastern Electric Transmission Conference, Washington, D.C. (2015).
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Lecturer, “Condemnation Trial Tactics in Taking of Outdoor Advertising Signs,” Outdoor Advertising Association of America (2014).
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Lecturer, “Annual Eminent Domain Conference” (2008); Co-author "Special and General Damages" chapter.
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Lecturer, "Eminent Domain Update" at Local Government Attorneys Association Conference (2008)
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Lecturer, “Annual Eminent Domain Conference,” (2007); Co-author "What's New in Eminent Domain Law" chapter.
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Moderator and Editor, “Eminent Domain Updated,” (2006); Author "Emerging Trends in Public Use" chapter.
Professional Honors & Activites
Professional Honors
- U.S News - Best Lawyers® in America, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law (2012-2025)
- U.S News - Best Lawyers® in America, Lawyer of the Year: Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Washington, DC (2012, 2016, 2018, 2022 & 2024)
- Super Lawyers Magazine, Super Lawyer: Eminent Domain (2013-2025)
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Virginia Lawyers Hall of Fame, Class of 2024
- AV rated. Martindale-Hubbell
Professional Activities
- Chair, Subcommittee on Jury Instructions, Eminent Domain Committee, Virginia State Bar (2024-current)
- President, Fairfax Bar Association (1996-97)
- Chairman Virginia State Bar Committee on Lawyer Discipline (1998-99)
- Lecturer, Virginia State Bar Professionalism Course (1994-2004)
- Member, Virginia Code Commission Advisory Committee on the Recodification of Virginia Eminent Domain Statutes (2002)
- Co-Chair Virginia State Bar Committee to revise Eminent Domain Jury Instructions (2022)
- Member, State Bar Council (2005-08)