David W. Clarke

Member

Overview

David Clarke successfully blends general counsel representation of a variety of business interests with a regulatory, administrative law, and government relations practice including handling matters before state regulatory bodies and agencies. His clients include leading names in energy, technology, healthcare, and communications for whom he provides key policy, legislative, and regulatory compliance advocacy. He also has extensive experience counseling a broad spectrum of corporate and other business interests and handling the closing of all manner of business and real estate transactions.

Representative Matters

Government Relations, Policy Advocacy and Government Procurement

Representing energy infrastructure owners, developers, and users
Matters affecting the regulation of the production, transmission and distribution of natural gas and the competitive production and supply of electricity
Assist business interests in securing and maintaining multi-million dollar government contracts for a variety of products and services in the technology, healthcare and retirement plan sectors
Represent the interests of a national provider of mental health services
Assist an international provider of energy submetering services
Represent the policy interests of a regulated monopoly energy services provider
Successfully confirmed the authority of laypersons to conduct real estate closings
Handled all legislative matters for a local government
Assisted with efforts to expand Virginia’s Medicaid program

General Counsel and Commercial Transactions

Handled the closing of the sale of a telephone cooperative to an electric cooperative
Representing the sale of a controlling interest in a fiber optic communications infrastructure developer/owner
Handled the sale of a national portfolio of fast-food restaurants and the purchase of another national portfolio of fast-food restaurants
Negotiated and closed the sale of the assets of a regional convenience store and motor fuels business
Work with a firm team in both acquiring and selling hotel properties and interests
Regularly represent an entertainment brokerage business in connection with the acquisition of assets and talent to expand the business
Negotiate and handle leasing for several closely-held real estate developers and investors
Assist broadband services provider with real estate and contractual matter in expanding its network

Professional Affiliations

Virginia Bar Association, Real Estate Section
Virginia State Bar, Administrative Law and Real Property Sections
Bar Association of the City of Richmond

Community Involvement

Richmond Christian Leadership Institute, Chairman of the Board
Urban Hope, Inc., Board Vice-Chair
Orchard House School, Past President of the Board
Friends of Bandy Field, Inc., Past Board Member and Vice President
Richmond Business Council (Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce), Past Chairman
Third Presbyterian Church
East End Fellowship
Leadership Metro Richmond, Class of 1992

Pro Bono Activities

Helped to develop a unique program for investment in, rehabbing and maintenance of and preserving as affordable housing in minority community experiencing extreme gentrification and displacement
Volunteer with an empowerment and enrichment program providing tutoring, mentoring, skills and entrepreneurial training to youth
Facilitated the location and acquisition of a physical plant for an independent middle school for girls
Assisted a local food bank in securing a larger facility to handle the agencies growth

Awards and Recognition:

Selected for inclusion as The Best Lawyers in America 2022 & 2023 Communications Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Richmond
Received a 2021 The Best Lawyers in America© recognition for Administrative / Regulatory Law; Communications Law; Energy Law; Government Relations Practice and was named the Best Lawyers® 2021 Government Relations Practice “Lawyer of the Year” in Richmond
Selected for inclusion in Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2020 Leaders in the Law
Selected for inclusion as The Best Lawyers in America 2020 Communications Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Richmond
Selected for inclusion as The Best Lawyers in America 2019 Administrative/Regulatory Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Richmond
Selected for inclusion as The Best Lawyers in America 2018 Communications Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Richmond
Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America – Administrative / Regulatory Law; Communications Law; Energy Law; Government Relations Practice
Selected for inclusion in Virginia Business magazine’s “Legal Elite” for Legislative/Regulatory/Administrative law
Selected for inclusion as a “Top Lawyer” by Richmond Magazine
Selected for inclusion in Virginia Super Lawyers
Attained an AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell