Of Counsel | Washington, DC
Christopher J. VanArsdale has more than twenty-five years of experience advising on complex real estate, environmental, land use, affordable housing, and clean energy matters in Washington, DC, and the surrounding region. His law practice incorporates decades of hands-on experience as a principal developer and civic leader, providing clients with practical, business-oriented counsel grounded in real-world transaction and real estate development experience. Chris advises clients on a broad range of residential and commercial real estate matters, including acquisitions and dispositions, development agreements, joint ventures, affordable housing transactions, zoning and entitlements, regulatory compliance, landlord-tenant matters, construction and financing agreements, and public-private partnerships. He has particular expertise in Washington, DC real estate development, including Planned Unit Developments (PUDs), affordable housing finance, sustainability and energy regulations, and mixed-use urban projects.
Prior to joining Griffin & Griffin LLP, Chris founded and led multiple real estate and clean energy development companies focused on sustainable and affordable housing projects throughout the Washington metropolitan area. As Founder and Managing Partner of Heleos Development, he has led the development of net-zero energy affordable housing and mixed-use projects, including one of Washington, DC’s first net-zero energy LIHTC multifamily developments. Earlier in his career, he practiced law at major Washington, DC law firms including Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, Greenberg Traurig LLP, and ArentFox Schiff LLP, where his practice focused on environmental law, real estate transactions, permitting, and regulatory compliance.
Chris has extensive experience navigating the intersection of real estate development, affordable housing policy, sustainability, and government regulation. He regularly works with public agencies, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private developers on complex urban development projects involving affordable housing, renewable energy integration, and regulatory approvals. In addition to his legal and development work, Chris has served in numerous civic and nonprofit leadership roles related to sustainable development, affordable housing, and clean energy initiatives in the District of Columbia. Chris earned his J.D. from Cornell Law School, his Master of Environmental Management/Resource Economics from Duke University, and his undergraduate degree from Harvard University. He is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Maryland.
