Susan Tarley
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Practices: Community Associations; Commercial and Residential Real Estate Transactions; Real Estate Acquisition, Financing and Development; Creditor’s Rights. |
Bar Memberships and Admissions:Virginia State Bar; Williamsburg Bar Association; United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia; United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. |
Susan, a partner with the firm, received her law degree from the George Mason School of Law and concentrates her practice in the areas of community associations, real estate acquisition, financing and development, commercial and residential real estate transactions, business matters and creditors’ rights.
A leading attorney in the representation of common interest communities throughout the Peninsula and Tidewater Areas, Susan represents some of the largest communities, but has extensive experience representing associations of all sizes, both commercial and residential.
In 2025, Susan was inducted into the Fellows Program of the Virginia Law Foundation. The Fellows Program is limited to 1% of Virginia Lawyers and “confers induction on selected Virginia attorneys, law professors, and retired members of the judiciary who are deemed outstanding in their profession and in their community.” In 2013, Susan was admitted to the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL) – one of fewer than 150 attorneys nationwide to be admitted to the prestigious organization. CCAL was established in 1993 by the Community Associations Institute (CAI), with membership consisting of attorneys who have distinguished themselves through contributions to the evolution or practice of community association law. CCAL members are also recognized for committing themselves to high standards of professional and ethical conduct in the practice of community association law.
Susan has served since 2010 on the Virginia Legislative Action Committee, a not-for-profit subcommittee of the CAI dedicated to monitoring and influencing legislation that affects community associations in Virginia. Susan is currently chair of the committee.
Susan seeks to use a common sense approach in her representation, recognizing that these common interest communities are neighborhoods. Therefore, Susan emphasizes that executive boards must abide by the law, but should always strive to treat neighbors with respect.
Susan has worked extensively on all phases of association representation, including transition representation, document amendments, review and advice relative to governance of the community, and covenant violation litigation. She provides each of her communities with board training seminars focused on the individual community.
Susan’s expertise in developing communities includes mixed use communities, single family communities and multi family communities. She has enjoyed success working with developers to convert shopping centers into commercial condominiums.
Additionally, Susan has considerable experience in residential and commercial real estate matters. Representing both lenders and developers in commercial financial transactions, they rely on her legal expertise and ability to get the deal closed.
Susan is a popular speaker at educational forums on real estate and common interest community topics. As an adjunct professor at the William and Mary Law School, she designed a comprehensive course for 2nd and 3rd year students with subjects ranging from the nuts and bolts of a real estate practice, to the development of a mixed use community and an introduction to common interest communities.
A leader in our community, Susan currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Virginia State Bar and as the Bar Council representative for the 9th Judicial Circuit. Previously Susan served on the Client Protection Fund Board of the Virginia State Bar, as President of the Williamsburg Bar Association, the Greater Peninsula Women’s Bar Association, the Central Virginia Chapter of Community Associations Institute, Avalon, Child Development Resources, and the Central Virginia Chapter of Community Associations Institute.
Susan received the Outstanding Service Award from James City County recognizing her presentations for community associations and was selected to the inaugural class of honorees as a Virginia Leader in the Law, recognizing Virginia attorneys who change the practice, advance the law or improve the justice system in Virginia. Her leadership in the local legal community was acknowledged by the Williamsburg Bar Association with the Award of Merit.