Overview
Paul Gerhardt is an experienced real estate and health care attorney who advises developers, owners, and operators on complex transactions and operational matters across the senior housing and long-term care industries.
Paul is the Managing Director of Kaufman & Canoles’ Richmond office and a member of the firm’s Williamsburg office. He serves on the firm’s Executive Committee and is an active member of the Real Estate Strategies and Health Care practice groups.
Paul represents owners, lenders, and developers in all aspects of real estate transactions, including land use and entitlements, sales and acquisitions, leasing, construction, financing, and loan workouts and restructuring. He regularly negotiates lease agreements for land, office, retail, and industrial properties.
As part of the Health Care Practice Group, Paul leads the firm’s Senior Housing and Care Team and brings extensive experience serving the unique needs of developers, owners, and operators of senior housing and long-term care facilities. He provides practical legal counsel for both daily operational matters and complex transactions, advising for-profit and nonprofit clients across independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing settings. Paul also serves as General Counsel to a leading continuing care retirement community operator.
Representative Matters
Advises clients in the acquisition, development and financing of commercial and residential properties such as shopping centers, hospitality properties, planned communities, office buildings, hotels, mixed-use properties, assisted living facilities and industrial properties
Counseled client in the acquisition and development of healthcare-based community and creation of a community development authority supported with tax-exempt financing
Serves as General Counsel to a leading Continuing Care Retirement Community and counsels clients in the area of senior continuing care and housing
Counsels borrowers and lenders in project development, financing, and loan structuring transactions
Negotiates lease agreements for land, office space, and retail and industrial space
Recognition & Honors
Honors & Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America, 2012-2026
AV® Rated; Martindale-Hubbell
Best Lawyers in America; Norfolk Real Estate Lawyer of the Year, 2022
Virginia’s Legal Elite; Virginia Business Magazine, 2004, 2009-2014, 2016-2025
Top Lawyers; CoVaBIZ Magazine, 2020
Press & Publications
News
Community & Professional
Associations
James City County Economic Development Authority; Former Director, 2008-2018; Chairman, 2012-2013
Williamsburg Health Foundation; Member, Board of Trustees, 2013-2021; Executive Committee and Chair, Governance and Nominating Committee, 2016-2021
Hampton Roads Association of Commercial Real Estate (HRACRE); Former Board Member, 1994-2007; Past President, 2002, President’s Council
Williamsburg Community Foundation; Former Trustee, 2012-2018; Chair, Board of Trustees, 2016-2018
LeadingAge
Virginia State Bar; Real Property, Business Law, and Health Law Sections
Virginia Bar Association; Real Estate Section
Williamsburg Bar Association
Credentials
Education
Washington & Lee University; B.A., 1979
Washington & Lee University School of Law; J.D., cum laude, 1984
Court Admissions
U.S. Supreme Court
Beyond the Law
Paul is the co-owner of Burnbrae Vineyards, a Virginia vineyard and licensed farm winery operation.
