James P. Downey
James Downey is a well-known Northern Virginia land use, tax assessment appeal, and commercial real estate litigator. He has over thirty-five years of experience in representing property owners and counties, both in private practice and as County Attorney for Fauquier (1980 – 1989), and Assistant County Attorney for Fairfax (1974 – 1978). He has represented large corporations as well as private landowners, before government boards, commissions and courts, including the Supreme Court of Virginia. He has practiced in thirty different Virginia jurisdictions in cases involving agricultural, commercial and industrial land use, zoning and subdivision issues, and environmental law.
Jim received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University and his Juris Doctor and Master of Laws degrees from George Washington University. He has distinguished himself for his knowledge and experience in cases involving environmental impact issues, complex zoning appeals, regional land use concerns and real estate transactions.
Jim is particularly well known for his expertise in tax assessment appeals. He is the co-author of the Virginia chapter of the American Bar Association’s Property Tax Desk Book, and receives considerable referrals for his skill and knowledge in state and local property tax appeals.
Jim Downey has practiced for his entire legal career, beginning in 1974, in Virginia. He served as County Attorney for Fauquier County, and has been counsel or Board Member of many civic organizations including the chairman of the Fauquier County Commission on the U.S. Bicentennial, Town of Warrenton Architectural Review Board and Planning Commission, Fauquier Community Action Agency, The Fauquier Community Theatre, Fauquier Fire and Rescue Association, Boys and Girls Club of Fauquier County, and Warrenton Rotary Club. Jim was recognized for his community service activities as a charter member of The Virginia Bar Association’s Community Servant Program and served one term as chair of the Environmental Law Section of the Virginia State Bar.
SPECIFIC EXPERTISE
Virginia State and Local Property Tax and Permitting
- Tax practice before 30 different Virginia city, county or town governments/boards and state agencies, including Virginia State Corporation Commission.
- Numerous Special Exceptions and rezoning applications in Northern Virginia.
Major Tax and Other Municipal Law Litigation
Jim has represented many clients in such areas as tax assessment, property condemnation and conservation easement issues for such clients as:
- Residential subdivision developers
- Commercial real estate developers
- Championship Golf courses
- Insurance companies
- Real Estate Investment Trusts
- Defense Contractors
- Major multinational corporations
- Shopping complexes
- Telecommunications companies
- Hospitals and other health care establishments
- Hotels
- Banks and other financial institutions
George M. Mayhugh
George Mayhugh has been a member of the Warrenton legal community for more than thirty years. He was a founding partner of the firm, which he established with Daniel M. O’Connell, Jr. in 1975. His primary areas of practice include real estate law and settlements, business law (including business entity formations), personal injury, wills, trusts and estate planning.
A native of Virginia, George Mayhugh has lived his entire life in the Northern Virginia area. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Virginia (1964 and 1972). He served as an officer in the U.S. Army for two years, including a tour in Vietnam. He was a former president of the Fauquier County Bar Association and Vice Chairman of the Fauquier County School Board. Today, he is a member and officer of numerous conservation and field trial groups.
Robert A. Oliveri, Jr.
Robert Oliveri joined the firm in February of 2012 and practices in a variety of areas of the law including civil litigation, eminent domain, foreclosures, mechanic’s liens, probate and collections. He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, University College in 1989 and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore in 2001. Mr. Oliveri was admitted to the Virginia State Bar in December of 2001 and sworn into all state Courts within Virginia in January of 2002. Mr. Oliveri has also been admitted practice in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (March of 2002), the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (November of 2003), the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Virginia (January of 2004), the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia (January of 2004), and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (September of 2007). Member of the Fairfax Bar Association and the Fauquier Bar Association. Notable published opinions: Khaliq v. Draper & Goldberg, PLLC, 286 Fed. Appx. 72 (2008), Davis v. ABN AMRO Mortgage Group, VLW 008-4-040 (2008), and Robert Half International, Inc. v. Cricket Technologies, LLC 75 Va. Cir. 505 (2007). Faculty Speaker at NBI CLE “Legal Issues In Real Estate Foreclosure”, September 16, 2008. Founding board member and incorporator of Mid-Atlantic Arts Network for Youth (MANY), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization promoting youth music education and participation in the performing arts.
