ABOUT JOSEPH L. LYLE, JR. – ATTORNEY & FOUNDING MEMBER (1936-2004)

Joseph L. Lyle, Jr. was a founding member of The Law Firm of Waldo & Lyle, P.C. Admitted to the Virginia Bar in 1960 after receiving his J.D. and undergraduate degrees from Washington & Lee University, Joe demonstrated extensive litigation experience and aptitude in both state and federal courts. He argued over twenty cases in the Supreme Court of Virginia, achieving significant victories for property owners in the fields of condemnation and eminent domain law. One such victory determined that evidence of adjustments or the cost to cure were factors to be considered when evaluating evidence on damage to the residue of property as a result of a condemnation. The Court also held that non-appraisal experts could not be excluded from testifying when their testimony was essential to a property owner’s case. (See Revocor Corporation v. Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner of Virginia, 259 Va. 389, 526 S.E.2d 4). In his last case before the Supreme Court of Virginia, Mr. Lyle successfully represented a residential developer. The Court held that the City of Suffolk could not take away existing development rights by rezoning, as the developer was in the process of pursuing an approved development plan. (See The City of Suffolk v. Board of Zoning Appeals for the City of Suffolk, 266 Va. 137, 590 S.E.2d 796). These two cases were just a few of many victories for property owners that Joe achieved.

After Joe’s death the Virginia Beach Bar Association named its achievement award in his honor. Each year an outstanding Virginia Beach lawyer is recognized by receiving the Joseph L. Lyle, Jr. Achievement Award. Joe was not simply an outstanding lawyer. He was also a dedicated family-man and member of First Presbyterian Church of Norfolk, and still found time for two of his favorite sports: tennis and fly-fishing.

Joe’s portrait hangs in the conference room at Waldo & Lyle, where not a day goes by that Joe is not remembered.