Atty. Joshua E. Baker
Josh is a specialist, exclusively in the practice of eminent domain law and exclusively for private property owners. He has two specialties now: ensuring that his clients and all Virginians — through his efforts at reform of condemnation laws — receive just compensation when their property is taken.
Eminent Domain Attorney · Serving Norfolk, VA · 19+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Joshua E. Baker at a Glance
Joshua E. Baker is a Partner based in Norfolk, Virginia, practicing at Waldo & Lyle, P.C.. They have 19+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2007. Their practice focuses on zoning. Admitted to practice in Virginia (2007) and North Carolina (2017). Educated at College of William and Mary Marshall-Wythe School of Law (J.D., 2006) and Hillsdale College (B.A., 2001). Serves clients in Norfolk, VA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Joshua E. Baker
- Josh is a specialist, exclusively in the practice of eminent domain law and exclusively for private property owners
- He has two specialties now: ensuring that his clients and all Virginians — through his efforts at reform of condemnation laws — receive just compensation when their property is taken
Practice Areas
Attorney and President, The Law Firm of Waldo & Lyle Josh’s practice is limited to representing property owners in eminent domain proceedings and defending private property rights throughout Virginia and the District of Columbia
Professional Activities
- - Chairman, CLE International Virginia Eminent Domain Seminar, 2016- Present Presenter, CLE International Virginia Eminent Domain Seminar, Common Areas in Subdivisions: A Study in Highest and Best Use (2017) - Presenter, CLE International Virginia Eminent Domain Seminar, Rare, Unique and Unusual Easement: What Rights Can Be Taken? (2016) - Virginia Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2012-2015 - Presenter, CLE International Virginia Eminent Domain Seminar, Property Rights: Are Less Than Fee Interests Worth Anything in Condemnation? (2015) - Presenter, CLE International Virginia Eminent Domain Seminar, Unity of Lands: Do I Have One Parcel? (2014) - Presenter, CLE International Virginia Eminent Domain Seminar, Latest Trends in Mediation: New Strategies to Resolve Disputes (2013) - Presenter, CLE International Virginia Eminent Domain Seminar, Recovering Compensable Costs: What Your Colleagues Do Not Know (2012) - Member, Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Conference Journal Advisory Board, 2013- Present - Co-Author (with Joseph T. Waldo), Damages from Transmission Corridors and Transmission Lines, The Practical Real Estate Lawyer, January 2012 - Presenter, CLE International Virginia Eminent Domain Seminar, Housing Authority Projects: New Laws, New Rules, Old Plans (2011) - Author, Virginia’s Property Owners Are Not Safe From Kelo-Styled Economic Takings, The Fee Simple, Vol
- XXX, No. 2, May 2010 - Author, Note “Quieting the Clang: Hathcock as a Model of the State-Based Protection of Property Which Kelo Demands,” Volume 14 William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal Issue 1 (2006) (Available at 14 Wm. & Mary Bill Rts
- J. 351). - Executive Articles Editor, William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal Volume 14 Professional Memberships: - Virginia Member, Owners Counsel of America - Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association, 2007-present - Chair, Young Lawyers Section, 2011-2012 - Treasurer, Young Lawyers Section, 2010-2011 - The Federalist Society - Virginia State Bar Civic Involvement: - Hillsdale College President’s Club Member - Hillsdale College Admissions Assistance Program, Volunteer - Alzheimer Association, Alois Society Member
Practice Areas Explained
Joshua E. Baker's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Joshua E. Baker handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Norfolk.
Land Use & Zoning in Norfolk
Joshua E. Baker is one of 39,875 zoning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse zoning attorneys in Virginia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Norfolk
Practicing law in Virginia. Legal matters in Virginia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Norfolk are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Virginia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Virginia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Virginia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Norfolk Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Norfolk-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Virginia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Norfolk or all attorneys in Virginia.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Norfolk Choose Joshua E. Baker
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Joshua E. Baker's practice in the field of zoning.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Joshua E. Baker brings 19+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Virginia and North Carolina, Joshua E. Baker can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Focused Zoning Practice
Concentrating on zoning means Joshua E. Baker's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in Norfolk
A Norfolk-based practice means Joshua E. Baker attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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Joshua E. Baker's Practice Areas & Specializations
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