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

Education

University of Virginia, School of Law
University of Virginia (Echols Scholar)

Bar Admissions

Virginia State Bar
District of Columbia
Eastern District of Virginia

Representative Cases

See case list in the Eminent Domain section of this website.

Selected Publications and Lectures

Author, Valuation of Quarry Property in Virginia, Spring 2020, the Fee Simple (the newsletter of the Virginia State Bar Real Property Section).
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).
Editor, Eminent Domain Law in Virginia, Author, Trial Chapter (2012, 2017).
Editor, Eminent Domain - State and Federal, 1993, 1998, 2003, Co-author "Regulatory Takings" chapter.
Author, Obtaining Just Compensation for Condemnation of Common Area Owned by Homeowners Associations, July 2015, Quorum Magazine.
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).
Co-author, Eminent Domain Chapter in The Virginia Lawyer, (2011-2013).
Lecturer, “Successful Condemnation Actions,” Eastern Electric Transmission Conference, Washington, D.C. (2015).
Lecturer, “Condemnation Trial Tactics in Taking of Outdoor Advertising Signs,” Outdoor Advertising Association of America (2014).
Lecturer, “Annual Eminent Domain Conference” (2008); Co-author "Special and General Damages" chapter.
Lecturer, "Eminent Domain Update" at Local Government Attorneys Association Conference (2008)
Lecturer, “Annual Eminent Domain Conference,” (2007); Co-author "What's New in Eminent Domain Law" chapter.
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 (2013-2024)
Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Virginia Lawyers Hall of Fame, Class of 2024
AV rated. Martindale-Hubbell

Professional Activities

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)