The founder of the Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Conference, Joe Waldo has practiced law since graduating from William & Mary Law School. He obtained his B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1998, he founded Waldo & Lyle, P.C., the only law firm in Virginia exclusively dedicated to representing property owners in eminent domain proceedings. He has tried over one hundred cases on behalf of property owners facing the exercise of the power of eminent domain. He is an elected member of the American Law Institute where he is an adviser on the Restatement (Fourth) of Property. He lectures, writes, and frequently makes appearances to advocate for the defense of individual property rights, drawing the connection to individual liberty and human dignity.
Professional Activities:
- Rated “AV” by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. Listed as Preeminent in the field of Eminent Domain
- Practice limited to the representation of property owners in eminent domain and property rights matters.
- American Law Institute, Elected to membership, 2017 to present
- Adviser on the Restatement of the Law Fourth, Property project for the American Law Institute: 2015 – present
- Licensed in Virginia and the District of Columbia
- Lecturer and author on eminent domain and property rights matters.
- Selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law 2007 – present
- Virginia Super Lawyers 2007 to present
- Planning Co-Chair and Faculty, American Law Institute-Continuing Legal Education (ALI-CLE) Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation Seminar, Planning Co-Chair 2004 – 2021
- Planning Chair, Virginia Eminent Domain Seminar, CLE International: 2007 – 2016
- Planning Committee, William & Mary Law School, Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Conference: 2004 – 2017
- Member, Virginia Housing Study Commission of the Virginia General Assembly Studying Eminent Domain: 2001-2006
- Member , Virginia General Assembly Joint Subcommittee Examining Compensation by Eminent Domain: 1999, 2000; Appointed by the Speaker of the House
- Member, Virginia Housing Study Commission Subcommittee on House Bill 2453 of the Virginia General Assembly: 1997. As a result of this subcommittee’s recommendations, new legislation was enacted in 1998 that gave property owners in condemnation matters initiated by public housing authorities rights to which they had not been previously entitled.
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly “Leaders in the Law” 2006
Professional Memberships:
- Virginia and American Bar Associations
- Member, Founding Member Owners’ Counsel of America, Emeritus
- Trustee, The Chrysler Museum of Art, 2012 – 2020
- Trustee, William & Mary Law School Foundation Board, 2005 – 2012
- Director, Norfolk State University Foundation Board 1999-2004
- School Board Member, City of Norfolk, 1992 – 1999
- Past President and Director, Virginia Beach Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 1986 – 1992
- Past Secretary, Treasurer, and Director, William and Mary Law School Association, 1984 – 1988
