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Hawwi Edao

Hawwi Edao

Associate
About

Hawwi W. Edao is a commercial real estate attorney based in the firm’s Northern Virginia office. She is well-versed in navigating the complex legal landscape of zoning and land use and is skilled at finding creative solutions to complex problems. She is known for her ability to effectively communicate with clients, stakeholders, and government officials. Her practice focuses on land use and zoning matters involving all aspects of the development approval process, including rezoning applications and special exceptions. She represents major developers and national, regional and local companies in a variety of land use matters, including transit-oriented, mixed-use projects and residential, office, retail, industrial, and large data center projects. Hawwi also has experience assisting clients on complex easement agreements, creation of condominium and subdivision structures, and homeowners’ association documents.

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Hawwi was an associate at a large international law firm, where she gained valuable experience in construction litigation. Hawwi has experience representing domestic and international general contractors, construction managers, sureties, and other construction professionals in the United States and abroad in litigation, arbitration, and mediation of construction and design defect claims, insurance claims, surety bond claims, and related matters.

Hawwi also served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Robert N. Scola, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. During her time in law school, Hawwi served as a student attorney in the Children and Youth Law Clinic at the University of Miami School of Law, where she represented children in foster care and former foster youth in civil legal matters concerning dependency, education, and immigration.

Areas of FocusReal Estate
Bar admissionsFloridaVirginia

EXPERIENCE

  • Participating in major development projects adjacent to the Tysons-to-Dulles Metro Rail Line's 11 planned stations and the US $5 billion Silver Line Metrorail extension.
  • Assisting Comstock Companies in the redevelopment of a 2-million-square-foot mixed-use project.
  • Handling the entitlement process for numerous data centers in and around Ashburn (Loudoun County), Virginia.
Education

    Pro Bono

    Hawwi maintains a healthy pro bono practice, including tenant rights and children rights. She’s advised pro bono clients who are facing eviction because of payment disputes or other issues. Hawwi has also represented clients in complex international child abduction matter under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

    Publications

    • Contributor, "Developer pitches 'environmentally conscious' data centers in rural Leesburg", Washington Business Journal, October 2024

    Judicial Experience

    Judicial Intern for the Honorable Robert N. Scola, Jr., Federal Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

    Memberships And Affiliations

    • Urban Land Institute
    • National Association of Industrial and Office Properties
    • The Florida Bar, Young Lawyers Section
    • American Bar Association

    Connect

    Phone

    +1 703 773 4072
    (Work, Northern Virginia)