Karen L. Cohen

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Karen L. Cohen: Attorney with Gentry Locke Attorneys
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
About Attorney Awards

Biography

Karen Cohen is a Partner in Gentry Locke’s Richmond office and is a member of the firm’s Real Estate, Land Use & Zoning and Solar & Renewable Energy practice groups. Karen assists clients obtaining approvals for solar and energy storage projects and advises developers on real estate transactions, the entitlement process, environmental issues, and general corporate matters. Karen co-chairs the Land Use and Environmental Committee of the Real Property Section of the Virginia State Bar and previously served as Chair of the Section. She is a member of the Virginia Chapter of Women in Renewable Industries & Sustainable Energy (WRISE). Karen received her B.S. degree in architecture from the University of Virginia, her M.S. in real estate development from George Mason University, and her J.D. magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center.

As a featured presenter for the Virginia State Bar Real Property Section’s Living Library Series, Karen Cohen delivers a primer on land use law basics, and moderates a lively conversation with real estate bar colleagues, John Foote and Ben Leigh, in these videos: Real Property Library .

A quick handshake

•If you had chosen a career other than law, what would you be doing?

Stand-up comedian . . . but I’m not that funny and I can never remember jokes, so I’m not sure how well that would have worked out! I did initially choose a career other than law -- I started in architecture. As a land use lawyer and a member of GL’s solar and renewable energy practice, I have found the perfect career to blend my interests in architecture, planning, the environment, and the law.

•People would be surprised to know...

An art gallery recently exhibited drawings I did as an undergrad in an art class at UVA. Six of my pieces were sold.

•What is your favorite footwear?

Cowboy boots. I got my first pair of Frye boots when I was 16 and still wear them (they’ve been re-soled a couple of times).

Experience

•Advised developers, landowners and businesses on zoning and real estate matters, including mixed use, industrial, data center and solar development.
•Advised renewable energy clients on legislative and administrative land use approvals (local and state).
•Provided opinion letters for financing transactions.
•Provided zoning analysis, zoning determination letters, and vested rights analysis.
•Assisted developers with real estate purchase and sale agreements and resolving title issues.
•Drafted complex easement documents and represented commercial property owners to resolve easement issues.
•Assisted developers with land development processes, including obtaining site plan approval and other administrative permits for project construction.
•Represented healthcare facility in connection with obtaining special use permit for an additional building-mounted sign.
•Advised municipalities in connection with various zoning and land use matters including Virginia’s new proffer legislation; sign ordinances after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert; the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), federal constitutional issues in connection with zoning ordinances pertaining to certain land uses; and preparation of performance and bonding agreements.
•Represented landlords and tenants in shopping center, office, and industrial leases, including medical building leases for non-profit integrated health system and urgent care facilities, government contractors, professional service firms and retail establishments.
•Represented general contractor in DPOR hearing, avoiding licensure penalty and obtaining a substantial reduction in fines.

Awards

•Named to Best Lawyers in America for Land Use and Zoning Law, and Real Estate Law (2024-2026)
•Named as Virginia Lawyers Weekly Go To Commercial Real Estate Lawyer (2025)
•AV Preeminent Peer Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
•Super Lawyers for Land Use/Zoning, Thomson Reuters (2020, 2023-2025)
•Virginia Legal Elite, Virginia Business magazine for Real Estate/Land Use law (2018 - 2020, 2023 - 2025)
•Member of the Year Award, NAIOP Government Relations (2020)
•Influential Women of Law Award, Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly (2019)
•Prominent Patriot, George Mason University School of Business (2017)

Speaking Engagements

•COVID-19 Government Relations: Federal, State and Local - Commercial Real Estate Development Association Webinar, NAIOP, May 5, 2020
•Land Use and Zoning from Start to Finish: A Practical Guide to Land Use and Zoning Approvals and Issues, National Business Institute, September 10, 2019
•22ndAnnual Advanced Real Estate Seminar, Lurking in the Weeds - Advanced Covenant Issues
•Prince William Chamber of Commerce, Powerful Partnerships 2017 Conference
•Virginia Association of Zoning Officials 2017 (Proffer Legislation, RLUIPA, Sign Ordinances)

Published Work

•Author, “Vested Rights: Ironing Out the Confusion,” The Fee Simple (December 2020)
•Author, “What Is Land Use Law?” Lay of the Land (Land Use Law Blog Series, 2020)
•Author, “Where Does Land Use Law Come From?” Lay of the Land (Land Use Law Blog Series, 2020)
•Author, “A Good Time for Virginia Developers to Re-Evaluate Approved Plans,” Lay of the Land (Land Use Law Blog Series, 2020)
•Contributor, Dewberry Land Development Handbook Series (McGraw-Hill Education, 4th ed. 2019)
•Co-Author, Finding Common Ground on Proffer Reform, The Fee Simple (November 2018)
•Author, 2012-2017 Strategic Plan for George Mason Master of Science in Real Estate Development (prepared on behalf of the George Mason Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship)
•Featured in George Mason University School of Business article
•Real Estate Development Capstone Project featured in Viva Tysons magazine

Library

•26 Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to 2025 Virginia Business Legal Elite List
News
Dec 2025
•31 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers 2026 Lists
News
Aug 2025
•Virginia Lawyers Weekly Names Gentry Locke Partner Karen L. Cohen a 2025 Go To Lawyer for Commercial Real Estate
News
Jun 2025
•20 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in 2025 Virginia Super Lawyers Lists
News
May 2025
•29 Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to 2024 Virginia Business Legal Elite List
News
Dec 2024
•35 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers 2025 Lists
News
Aug 2024
•18 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Virginia Super Lawyers Lists
News
Apr 2024
•23 Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to 2023 Virginia Business Legal Elite List
News
Nov 2023
•30 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers 2024 Lists
News
Aug 2023
•17 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in 2023 Virginia Super Lawyers Lists
News
Apr 2023
•Eight Gentry Locke Attorneys Elected to Local Bar Association Leadership Roles
News
Oct 2022
•2022 Gentry Locke Seminar
Events
Apr 2022
•Gentry Locke Welcomes Karen L. Cohen to its Richmond Office
News
May 2021

See more ›

Areas of Practice (4)

  • Real Estate, Land Use, and Zoning
  • Solar & Renewable Energy
  • Environmental
  • Municipal & Local Government

Education & Credentials

Mailing Address:
Richmond, VA 23219
University Attended:
George Mason University School of Business, M.S. R.E.D., 2012; University of Virginia, B.S., Architecture, 1987
Law School Attended:
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., magna cum laude, 1994
Year of First Admission:
1994
Admission:
Member, Virginia State Bar; Member, District of Columbia Bar; Admitted to practice in the following courts: United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia; United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia; Virginia (all state courts); United States District Court for the District of Columbia; 1994, Virginia; 1996, District of Columbia
Memberships:

Affiliations

•Co-Chair of the Land Use & Environmental Committee for the Real Property Section of the Virginia State Bar (2019-present)
•Member, Women in Renewable Industries & Sustainable Energy, Central VA Chapter (2023-present)
•Programs Committee, Commercial Real Estate Women (2023-present)
•Chair of the Real Property Section of the Virginia State Bar (2022-2023)
•Vice Chair, Virginia State Bar Real Property Section Board of Governors (2021-2022)
•Secretary, Virginia State Bar Real Property Section (2020 - 2021)
•Board of Governors, Virginia State Bar Real Property Section (2017 - 2023)
•Chair, NAIOP Prince William Government Relations Subcommittee (2016 - 2021)
•Chair, Real Estate Development Committee, Prince William County Economic Recovery Task Force (2020)
•Strategic Planning Committee, Mason Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship (2017)
•Founding Director, George Mason University School of Business Real Estate Development Industry Group (2016)
•Director-at-Large, George Mason University School of Business Alumni Chapter (2013 - 2017)
•Board of Directors, Legal Services of Northern Virginia (2017 - 2021)
•Racial Justice Committee, Legal Services of Northern Virginia (2020 - 2021)

ISLN:
909899293

Peer Reviews

4.9/5.0 (18 reviews)
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge

  • Legal Knowledge

    4.9/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    4.9/5.0

  • Judgment

    4.9/5.0

  • Communication

    4.9/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    4.8/5.0

  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Managing Partner on 08/20/19 in Real Estate

    I have known Ms. Cohen for 35+ years and she clerked for me while in college. Sharp as a tack, hard worker, and trustworthy.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Principal on 08/08/19 in Real Estate

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Principal on 08/06/19 in Real Estate

    Karen, is not only an excellent and knowledgeable attorney, she is a really good person.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 08/06/19 in Real Estate

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 08/06/19 in Real Estate

    Karen and I worked together on a continuing legal education program for advanced real estate. She took the lead on preparation of materials for the program - she was creative and thorough. The program was very well received.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 08/01/19 in Zoning, Planning and Land Use

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 08/01/19 in Zoning, Planning and Land Use

    Karen is very well respected by both clients and peers in the Real Estate community and specifically known for her quality of work relating to complex zoning issues.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Senior Counsel on 07/25/19 in Real Estate

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Managing Partner on 07/23/19 in Real Estate

    Karen recently changed firms and has a very reputation with her colleagues. Her new firm was lucky to get her!

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 07/23/19 in Zoning, Planning and Land Use

    I know Karen through her leadership in the Virginia State Bar Real Property Section and her presentation at the Annual Advanced Real Estate Seminar. She is knowledgeable and professional: a leader in her field.

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Client Reviews Write a Review

Location

Contact Karen L. Cohen

Contact Information:

540-983-9400  Fax

www.gentrylocke.com/cohen

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