
Biography
Wyatt Bethel is not just a legal technician; he is also a business advisor and counselor. He strategizes with each client to "look around the corners" of transactions and to anticipate issues that may not be immediately evident. Wyatt practices primarily in the area of commercial real estate and business transactions, representing lending institutions, builders, and developers in every facet of the sale, acquisition, financing, and development of commercial and residential real estate projects. He is skilled in the preparation and negotiation of real estate contracts and commercial leases, and he has extensive experience in representing prominent national and local regional banks in structuring loans and documenting commercial loan transactions, whether secured by real estate or by business assets. His work has contributed to the successful completion of numerous prominent residential, multi-family, commercial office building, and mixed-use projects constructed throughout Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland, as well as other states on the eastern seaboard.
Wyatt is trained and certified to represent both banks and borrowers in the documentation and closing of Small Business Administration loans (504 and 7a) and associated bridge financing.
Wyatt also has experience in the subdivision of land and the related documentation of easements and covenants, as well as the formation of homeowners associations and the declaration of commercial condominium regimes. He also represents banks and business/equity lending institutions in real estate based financing transactions, including the preparation and negotiation of loan commitments and loan documents, loan workouts and restructurings, and foreclosures. Wyatt is also skilled in facilitating like-kind exchanges; negotiating commercial office leases; assisting in the resolution of title disputes; negotiating custom home construction contracts; and organizing and forming limited liability companies, limited partnerships, corporations, and other joint venture real estate ownership and investment entities.
Wyatt also has developed a part of his practice to assist religious organizations and congregations in the area with real estate transactions that involve the sale of church property.
In representing developers and businesses, and also financial institutions, Wyatt has developed an insightful business approach to transactional real estate and business transactions, and he understands how to navigate each stage of a transaction to assure a successful conclusion. He takes great pride in the business successes of his clients.
Professional Associations
- Fairfax Bar Association
- Virginia State Bar, Real Property Section
- Fairfax United Methodist Church, Trustee, Vice-Chairman and Secretary of Board of Trustees
- Fairfax United Methodist Church, Chairman, Endowment Committee
- Fairfax United Methodist Church, Rebuilding Together Participant
Honors And Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America® -- Real Estate Law, 2024-2025
- Virginia Business magazine’s “Legal Elite” – Real Estate, 2010, 2022
- AV Preeminent® Peer Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
Pro-Bono Activities
- Trustee, Vice-Chairman and Secretary of Board of Trustees in Fairfax United Methodist Church
- Chairman, Finance Committee in Fairfax United Methodist Church
- Chairman, Endowment Committee in Fairfax United Methodist Church
- Participant and Volunteer, Rebuilding Together in Fairfax United Methodist Church
- Member, Church Council in Fairfax United Methodist Church
- Co-Chairman, Building Committee in Fairfax United Methodist Church
Practice Areas
- Real Estate
- Banking & Finance
- Land Use & Development
- Business Formation Planning
Education
- College of William and Mary School of Law, Williamsburg, Virginia
- J.D. - 1978
- The College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia
- B.A. - 1975
- Honors: Omicron Delta Kappa
- Major: Government
Bar Admissions
- Virginia
Past Positions
- Van Metre Companies, General Counsel