2013 Legal Elite profile: Real Estate/Land Use

Thomas J. Colucci

Walsh Colucci Lubeley Emrich & Walsh PC
Arlington

Title: Principal
Birthplace: Waterbury, Conn.
Education: Fairfield University, bachelor’s degree in economics; Washington College of Law of the American University, law degree
Spouse: Michelle
Children: Troy, Jill
Hobbies or pastimes: Golf, fitness and spending time with grandchildren
First job as a lawyer: Associate at Herrell, Campbell & Lawson (small general practice firm in Arlington)
Fan of: Washington Redskins and Washington Nationals
Favorite vacation spot: South Florida
Recently read book: “Killing Lincoln” by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
Career mentors: Barnes Lawson, Paul Herrell, Eugene House and Preston Caruthers

Is the Virginia commercial real estate market reviving?
“The Virginia market is showing clear signs of revival with a great amount of activity on multifamily, residential projects located in strategic locations along metro corridors in Arlington and in the Merrifield submarkets and now, with the shortly anticipated opening of the Silver Line through the Tysons Corner area, at those locations proximate to stations on the Silver Line. The office market remains somewhat sluggish, and I would anticipate that may continue until there is a little more stability brought to bear on anticipated government spending.”

What trends are you seeing in real estate law?
“There is clearly a movement to large-scale, mixed-use projects in convenient locations that are able to provide a wide array of amenities for work, play and shopping opportunities. These projects seem to have very complex legal structures, as oftentimes there may be separate development interests developing separate portions of a mixed-use project based on their development expertise in a particular class of asset. These types of projects present many ownership, development and financing challenges. However, the development and lending community is generally becoming more accustomed to these types of arrangements as these are  the types of things that are needed in order to co-exist in a vibrant urban setting.”

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