For more than 35 years, Joel Ankney has helped business owners buy, sell, and operate their businesses and acquire and sell commercial real estate.

​

Joel has represented clients in hundreds of business transactions across a wide range of industries, from small business sales of approximately $50,000 to complex transactions valued at more than $50 million. He has also helped clients form and operate hundreds of Virginia LLCs and corporations.

​

His commercial real estate experience includes transactions involving office buildings, medical offices, manufacturing facilities, self-storage facilities, restaurants, retail centers, industrial properties, and vacant land.

​

Clients value Joel's practical approach to legal counsel, his ability to navigate complex negotiations, and his commitment to finding solutions that move transactions toward closing. 

Joel approaches every engagement as a collaborative effort. He listens carefully, explains legal issues in understandable terms, and helps clients make informed decisions. Clients value his practical approach, his ability to navigate complex negotiations and de-escalate tensions, and his commitment to finding solutions that move projects efficiently toward resolution.

​

Joel is the author of Here's the Deal: Everything You Wish a Lawyer Would Tell You About Buying a Small Business and other books for business owners and entrepreneurs. His writing has led to invitations to speak at leading business schools and appear on podcasts discussing business acquisitions and entrepreneurship.

​

Joel graduated first in his law school class and practiced for 12 years at two of the country's largest law firms before founding Ankney Law in 2003. He established the firm to provide business owners with experienced, practical, and efficient legal representation.