Arthur E. Schmalz is an experienced commercial litigator. His practice focuses on federal and state court disputes involving business transactions, real estate acquisition and development, and natural gas pipeline-related matters.
Over his nearly twenty-five year career, Art has defended and prosecuted a wide variety of cases involving commercial contracts, business torts, corporate governance, real estate acquisition, leasing and development, eminent domain, pipelines, defamation, legal malpractice, software/technology, commercial lending, pro football marketing, employment, taxation, constitutional law/civil rights, education law, and trusts and estates.
Art is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Supreme Court of Virginia, the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the US District Court for the Western District of Virginia, the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, and the Court of Appeals of Maryland.
Experience:
- Won a $4.5 million arbitration award as co-lead counsel for a pro football agent against a former Pro Bowl/No. 1 draft pick NFL quarterback.
- As lead counsel for a commercial real estate developer, obtained a $15 million eminent domain settlement where the condemning body originally offered only $1.
- Successfully defended the manager of several Virginia real estate companies at a two-week arbitration trial, prevailing on all claims, including breach of fiduciary duty, conspiracy, legal malpractice, conversion, and others.
- As lead trial attorney in a ten-day fraud and breach of fiduciary duty trial, won a substantial money judgment, plus punitive damages against a former bank president.
- Served as a key member of the the legal team that successfully struck down major portions of Loudoun County, Virginia’s 2003 Zoning Ordinance Amendments.
- Obtained a $15 million damages award for severely injured pro bono client.
- Served as lead counsel in numerous mediation proceedings, and negotiated favorable settlements in cases involving business torts, contract disputes, condemnation, real estate development and other matters.
EDUCATION:
- JD, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School, with distinction (graduated first in class)
- BA, English and Economics, The College of William & Mary, 1988
BAR ADMISSIONS:
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
Memberships:
- Member, Virginia Bar Association
- Member, Virginia Bar Association Judicial Selection Committee, 2015- present
- Member, Federal Bar Association, Northern Virginia Chapter
- Member, Alexandria City School Board, 2003-2006
- Chairman, Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Board of Trustees, 2010-2011; Vice-Chair, 2009-2010; Member, Board of Trustees, 2008-2015
- Member, Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Search Citizen Advisory Committee, 2007-2008
- Member, Alexandria City Public Schools Code of Conduct Review Panel, 2008
- Member, Alexandria/Arlington School Readiness Council, 2008-2009
