Kathryn N. Byler - Virginia Beach, VA

Kathryn Byler is an attorney focusing her practice in the areas of real estate, business, guardianships, and estate planning matters. She joined Pender & Coward after graduating from Regent Law School in 1998.

As a licensed Virginia real estate broker and commercial property owner, Kathryn brings a heightened understanding of her clients' real estate and business needs. Her professional volunteer efforts include serving as Chair of the VA State Bar Real Property Section and Chair of the VA State Bar District 2-1 Disciplinary Committee.

Kathryn is an adjunct professor at Regent University School of Law. Prior to practicing with Pender & Coward, she was a faculty member at Old Dominion University, Tidewater Community College and Virginia Wesleyan College.

REPRESENTATIVE CASES & TRANSACTIONS
Routinely represents family members of persons with mental and/or physical disabilities to have them determined incapacitated adults and the petitioners appointed guardians. This appointment enables the guardian to apply for entitlements (Medicaid, SSI), communicate with physicians, establish living arrangements for a safe, sustainable environment, and make decisions in the best interests of the incapacitated adult.

Drafted and executed a Will at the hospital for a client who passed away days later, providing him with peace of mind knowing that his estate was being distributed according to his wishes.

Represented a property owner against a tenant with a past due balance exceeding one year's rent. Gained possession so the home could be sold and judgment against the tenant so efforts to collect the past due rent could be initiated.

Represented a family with a home that had been vacant for more than a year due to disability and death of elderly parents. Arranged for continued insurance coverage, an appraisal, an estate sale of valuables, disposal of trash, clean up of the property, listing of the home, and closing of the sale with proceeds available for the remaining elderly adult in an assisted living facility.

MEMBERSHIPS
Virginia State Bar, Second District Committee, 2018-present
Virginia State Bar, Special Committee on Resolution of Fee Disputes, Chair, 2014-present
Virginia State Bar, Real Estate Section, Chair, 2021-2022
Virginia State Bar, Circuit Committee on Resolution of Fee Disputes, Chair, 2006-2014
Virginia Beach Association General District Court, Judicial Liaison Committee, Chair
American Bar Association

HONORS & AWARDS
AV® Rated, Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings^TM
Virginia Beach Bar Association Service Award, 2016
Regent University Outstanding Alumni Award, 2009-2010
Nora Spencer Homner Award, American Lung Association of Virginia, 1994
Virginia's Legal Elite, Real Estate/Land Use, 2020

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Virginia Beach Forum, President, 2010-2011 season, Board of Directors, 2008-present
Norfolk State University, Business & Economic Development Advisory Board, 2013
Centura College, Paralegal Program Advisory Board, 2007-2012
Election Protection, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights under Law, 2008
Virginia Aviation Foundation, Board of Directors, 2004-2007
American Cancer Society, Corporate Leadership Council, 2005 & 2006
American Lung Association, SEVA, President, 1995-1996
American Lung Association of Virginia, Board of Directors, 1992-1997

ARTICLES
New Laws in Virginia Effective July 1, 2021 - June 2021
New Laws in Virginia Effective July 1, 2020 and Noteworthy Actions by the Virginia Legislature - June 2020
Commercial Landlord-Tenant Relations During the COVID-19 Pandemic - April 2020
Can Virginia Renters Be Evicted During the COVID-19 Crisis? - April 2020
Highlights of Bills and New Laws in Virginia for 2019 - June 2019
Highlights of Bills and New Laws in Virginia - July 2018
Supreme Court of Virginia Shifts Jurisdiction of Some Actions of Unlawful Detainer - April 2017
Resolving Fee Disputes without Litigation - August 2016
Byler Authors Article in "The Fee Simple" - January 2015
Welcome Aboard! Residential Leasing to Military Families - November 2014
The Legal Side of Aging and Dementia: Advance Planning Tools, Commitment Proceedings, Guardianships & Conservatorships - March 2013

PRACTICE AREAS
Corporate and Transactional
Real Estate
Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning & Administration

EDUCATION
Juris Doctor, Regent University School of Law, 1998
Master's of Business Administration, Golden Gate University, magna cum laude, 1979
Old Dominion University, 1975

ADMISSIONS
Supreme Court of Virginia, 1998
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 1998
District of Columbia Court of Appeals, 2002