Kaufman & Canoles is pleased to announce that James L. Windsor is the 2024 recipient of the Traver Award, which is awarded by the Real Property Section of the Virginia State Bar and Virginia Continuing Legal Education to honor men and women who embody the highest ideals and expertise in the practice of real estate law. Traver Award recipients are Real Property Section members who have made significant contributions to the practice of real property law generally, and the Section specifically, and have generously shared their knowledge with others. The award is named for the “father” of Virginia real estate lawyers, Courtland L. Traver, whose outstanding legal ability and willingness to share his knowledge and experience was an inspiration to others.

Jim has been practicing in Virginia since 1985 and is an AV Preeminent rated lawyer with extensive experience in a broad range of counseling, negotiation, mediation, and civil litigation involving real estate, title insurance, construction/mechanic’s liens, local government, legal malpractice defense, mortgage lending, and creditors’ rights. He is a member of Kaufman & Canoles, P.C. and is based in the firm’s Virginia Beach office. Jim is Chairman of the firm’s Real Estate Claims & Title Insurance Solutions Group.  

Jim covered the Virginia case law updates at the Annual Real Estate law seminars following Courtland Traver most of the years from 2009 through 2016. He has an impressive list of publications including co-authoring a textbook, Virginia Supplement for Modern Real Estate Practice; writing an article regarding Virginia mechanic’s lien law published in the University of Richmond Law Review; writing articles for The Fee Simple, VLTA Examiner Magazine, and other publications; and drafting and updating the chapters on “Mechanic’s Liens” for many years in VaCLE publications such as Enforcement of Judgments and Liens, and the Virginia Construction Law Deskbook. In addition, since 1996, Jim has presented over 120 seminars on topics primarily involving real estate and construction.

Jim has received many recognitions and honors including being listed in Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate, 2018-2024; Virginia Super Lawyers; and Virginia Business Magazine’s Virginia’s “Legal Elite.” In 2015, Jim also received the Distinguished Service Award from the Virginia Land Title Association.

In 2022, Jim became an Area Representative for the VSB Real Property Section and has been very active on the Education Committee with planning topics and speakers for the Advanced Real Estate seminar each March, the Annual Real Estate program each May, and the Annual Summer Meeting each June. In 2023, he became co-chair of the Education Committee. Jim is a welcome addition to the Traver Award recipients.

The contents of this publication are intended for general information only and should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion on specific facts and circumstances. Copyright 2024.