- Business DisputesThe members of our firm have a long history representing local businesses. We provide counsel with respect to making appropriate organizational decisions in establishing your business, the drafting of organizing documents and registering with the State Corporation Commission, if appropriate. In addition, once your business has begun operations, we can provide contract review and drafting services to our business clients. Our depth of business transactional and litigation experience provides our business clients with a complete experienced legal service.
- Limited Liability CompaniesBorn in Manchester, New Hampshire, on September 27, 1945, Mr. Spirn was admitted to the Bar in Virginia in 1970. Mr. Spirn received his Bachelor's Degree at the College of William & Mary in 1967, and his Law Degree from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary in 1970. Mr. Spirn has resided in Williamsburg for more than 50 years. After his graduation from law school and admission to practice in 1970, he served as a Captain in the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps from 1970 to 1973. After his military service, he worked for the Virginia Governor's Office in the Division of Justice and Crime Prevention., He started his private practice in Williamsburg in 1975. Mr. Spirn has developed an extensive real estate practice, which includes contract negotiations, document drafting and commercial and residential real estate development and closings. Additionally, he has maintained successful practices in the areas of personal injury law, business law, including assistance with licensing copyrighted materials and other intellectual properties. He also provides services in estate planning, and family law. He serves as a Commissioner in Chancery. Mr. Spirn serves as legal counsel and has been the organizing counsel for a number of non-stock and stock corporations and limited liability companies. He has served as legal counsel and as a board member or officer of several not-for-profit organizations including the Kiwanis Club, the Williamsburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the William & Mary Soccer Alumni, the Williamsburg Soccer Club, the Virginia Legacy Soccer Club, USA Volleyball, and Hospice Support Care of Williamsburg.
- Real Estate LitigationThe purchase of a home is the most significant financial transaction that most people will ever undertake. You need expert guidance before you even sign a contract for the purchase of a residence or any parcel of real estate. In many instances once you have signed the contract you have given away a substantial number of rights that the law of Virginia affords you. We recommend that you consult an attorney before signing a contract of sale or purchase. The members of our firm have represented clients in residential and commercial real estate matters for more than fifty years. Our attorneys and paralegals are among the most experienced real estate teams in Williamsburg. If you have issues in the purchase or sale of real estate we can get the project done in an expeditious and satisfactory manner. We are experienced in the areas of real estate development for both residential and commercial properties and in the litigation of matters involving real estate.
- Premises Liability
- Real Estate TransactionsHis real estate practice includes reviewing contracts for residential and commercial real estate transactions, preparing deeds and settlement statements, performing title examinations, and providing escrow services. He has also drafted estate plans, including trust-based plans, wills, medical directives, and powers of attorney. He also assists in the firm’s estate and trust administration matters by contacting beneficiaries and heirs-at-law, liquidating assets, and preparing any required filings in court or with the Commissioner of Accounts.
- Personal InjuryPersonal injury cases are fact-specific and approaches can vary greatly from case to case. All injured individuals contemplating legal action, however, must proceed quickly. In Virginia, there is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury actions: an injured party must file his or her case within two years of the injury. There is an extended limitations period for some medical malpractice cases. In addition, many personal injury cases, especially motor vehicle accident cases, involve critical eyewitnesses. Waiting too long to file suit could mean that witnesses’ memories fade, potentially weakening the case.
- Medical MalpracticeThe members of our firm include experienced trial lawyers that represent injured persons in a variety of matters, including motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, workplace injuries and premises liability cases. Personal injury cases typically involve situations where an individual or business has violated a duty of care for the injured party. To use a common example, a business has a duty to its customers to maintain safe premises or an operator of a motor vehicle must drive properly and in accordance with law. If the failure of either to do so causes an injury, that business or individual may be liable for the injured person’s damages.
- Auto Accidents
- Estate PlanningIf it has been a while since you last addressed your Estate Planning Documents, you should be aware that Virginia has changed its laws in the last few years and Congress has passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.
- WillsWe recommend that you make sure that either your Last Will and Testament or Living Trust passes your assets to your heirs and beneficiaries in the manner you believe appropriate. If you die without an effective up to date Last Will and Testament or Living Trust the law of the Commonwealth of Virginia will determine how most of your assets would be distributed, and the result may not be what you would want. You have a right to make your intent known but you must have documents that carry out that intent.
- TrustsTax considerations are critical for the client with a large estate. Currently, the federal government begins levying estate taxes at a certain exemption leve. For tax year 2022, the federal estate exemption is $12.06 million, and it will increase to $12.92 million in 2023 for a single individual and twice that for a married couple. In recent years, the estate tax has become a significant political issue, so it is possible that these tax levels will change. If an estate is approaching the federal tax threshold, our firm can provide you with a number of methods available to minimize estate taxes, including annual gifts, irrevocable trusts, charitable remainder trusts, life insurance trusts, qualified terminable interest property trusts and qualified personal residence trusts. You may wish to download our free confidential estate planning questionnaire at this link. Reviewing your assets and bringing this questionnaire with you for your first appointment may help to quicken your estate planning process.
- Power of AttorneyWe offer to review the issues set out in the attached memorandum that we have prepared to give you guidance in reviewing your estate planning documents that includes wills, trusts, powers of attorney and advance medical directives.
- Probate