France Law LLC is a boutique real estate law firm with a national presence.

The firm has expertise in managing real estate and business transactions nationwide for property owners, developers, real estate investment trusts, landlords, retailers and restaurants.

Over our 20+ years of practice, we have developed a reputation for offering practical solutions to legal and business issues, while providing exceptional legal representation for the time efficient completion of transactions. Our team uses both experience and creative strategies to manage due diligence and contract negotiation, counsel on risk analysis, and partner with our clients to navigate all aspects of property and retail business transactions.

We believe that the sum of the parts are greater than the whole. Our clients each play an important and unique role in our business and success. We are proud to have been be a part of many teams and stories throughout our years of practice.

Areas of Expertise

decorative line

Leasing
Retail, office, industrial and mixed use

Acquisition & Sales
Real property and business

Development &
Redevelopment

Our Team

decorative line
Dana M. Evans CPA LLC

Billing & Accounting

accounting@francelawllc.com
 

details image

Heather France, Esq.

Education

  • The American University Washington College of Law (2000)
    • Juris Doctor, magna cum laude
    • Mussey Prize (highest scholastic average in graduating class)
    • The American University Law Review
    • Award for participation in Women and International Human Rights program
  • University of Maryland (1993)
    • Bachelor of Science (English and Communications), cum laude

Bar Memberships

  • Maryland
  • District of Columbia


Heather has focused her career in commercial real estate since 1993, and has substantial experience counseling and managing real estate transactions for property owners, developers, real estate investment trusts, and tenants. In addition to her focus on retail leasing transactions with expertise in mixed use and new development portfolios, Heather also handles business and property acquisitions and dispositions, and related corporate transactions.


Prior to attending law school, Heather worked for a large real estate development company in Montgomery County, Maryland, handling, among other matters, due diligence and lease administration. Heather has worked as an attorney in private practice since 2000, and has developed a national level client base and reputation for her ability to offer practical solutions to legal issues, while efficiently providing exceptional legal representation and timely completion of transactions.

details image

Laura K. Dillard, Esq.

Education

  • The William & Mary School of Law (2013)
    • Juris Doctor, magna cum laude
    • William & Mary Law Review
    • Moot Court team
    • Order of the Coif honor society
  • Bowdoin College (2007)
    • Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology and French), cum laude

Bar Memberships

  • Virginia
  • District of Columbia


Laura has practiced commercial real estate law since 2013 and has experience coordinating all aspects of complex real estate transactions. She has represented a wide range of clients including developers, lenders, property owners, and tenants in connection with commercial real estate transactions in the Washington, DC area and in other major markets across the United States. In addition, Laura has advised clients on issues related to entity formation, construction, and land use. Prior to joining Heather France in private practice in 2018, Laura worked at an AmLaw 100 law firm for 5 years.

Deal Sheet Highlights

decorative line

Landlord Representation

  • Represented landlords in numerous commercial lease transactions, including the following representative leases with national retailers:
    • 7-Eleven
    • Advance Auto
    • Aldi
    • Amazon
    • Amazon Four Star
    • Amazon Fresh
    • America's Best
    • American Eagle/Aerie/Offline
    • Applebee’s
    • Aspen Dental
    • Athleta
    • ATI Physical Therapy
    • AT&T
    • Autozone
    • Bank of America
    • Barnes & Noble
    • Bed Bath & Beyond
    • BJ’s Restaurant
    • Bloomingdale's
    • Burlington
    • Carbon Health
    • Cato/Versona
    • ChenMed Primary Care
    • Christopher & Banks
    • Chick-Fil-A
    • Chipotle
    • Cinemaworld
    • Columbia Sportswear
    • Core Power Yoga
    • CVS
    • Dash-In
    • Dollar General
    • Dollar Tree
    • Dry Bar
    • EVgo
    • First Watch
    • Five Below
    • Flower Child
    • Footlocker
    • Fresenius Medical
    • Giant Food
    • Goddard School
    • Golden Goose
    • Gucci
    • Habit Burger
    • Herman Miller
    • Honeygrow
    • Jared’s
    • J.Crew/Madewell
    • Jos A. Bank
    • JPMorgan Chase
    • Kay’s Jewelers
    • LA Fitness
    • Land’s End
    • Lilly Pulitzer
    • LL Bean
    • Long Horn
    • Louis Vuitton
    • Lululemon
    • Macy’s
    • McDonalds
    • MedStar Health
    • Miller's Ale House
    • Mission BBQ
    • MOD Pizza
    • Navy Federal Credit Union
    • Nike and Nike Outlet
    • Olive Garden
    • Panda
    • Panera
    • PetSmart
    • PF Changs
    • PGA Tour Store
    • Potbelly
    • Pottery Barn
    • REI
    • Rejuvenation
    • Rite Aid
    • Ross
    • Sephora
    • Shake Shack
    • Sheetz
    • Sherwin Williams
    • Skechers
    • Solid Core
    • Southern Theatres
    • Sprouts
    • Starbucks
    • SunTrust Bank
    • Sweetgreen
    • Taco Bell
    • Tesla
    • Texas Roadhouse
    • Ulta
    • Under Armour
    • USAA Bank
    • Volta
    • Xfinity/Comcast
    • Warby Parker
    • Watches of Switzerland
    • West Elm
    • Whole Foods
    • Williams & Sonoma
  • Represent the landlord in leasing a new 90,000 SF retail development, Riverside Square, located in Loudoun County, Virginia.
  • Represent the landlord in the redevelopment of Cabin John Shopping Center, a 50 year old center in Montgomery County, Maryland with 225,000 SF of office and retail.

 

  • Represent the landlord, Army Air-Force Exchange Services (AAFES), since 2009 in leasing and development of open-air shopping centers on U.S. military installations.
  • Represented the landlord of a residential project in Arlington, Virginia in lease transactions with tenants for non-profit civic/retail community focused uses.
  • Represented the developer in contracts related to construction, services agreements, and use of a new 28,000 SF facility for the operation of an education program serving Arlington County Public School students with special needs.

Tenant Representation

  • Represent the tenant, Harbor Freight Tools, in leases and contract negotiations for retail locations nationwide. Harbor Freight Tools is a privately held tool and equipment retailer, with over 1,300 stores across the U.S.
  • Represented the buyer in the due diligence, contract negotiation, and closing in connection with an acquisition of 70+ restaurants located throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Representative Clients

Landlord Clients
  • Army and Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES)
  • Avalon Bay
  • Craftsmen Developers
  • Edens
  • Fordham Development Company
  • Keane Enterprises
  • Kenwood Management Company
  • Maryland Financial Investors
  • MCB Real Estate
  • Monument Realty
  • Mosaic Realty Partners
  • NDT Development
  • O’Connor Capital Partners
  • Remy Retail
  • RPT (f/k/a Ramco) (NYSE: RPT)
  • Sandmar Properties
  • Segall Group
  • Seneca Properties
  • Service Star Development Company
  • Washco Management Company
  • WTG Properties, Inc.


Tenant Clients
  • Andy's Pizza
  • Bakers & Baristas/Little Beast
  • The Colada Shop
  • Dave’s Hot Chicken
  • DogHaus
  • Five Guys
  • Harbor Freight Tools
  • Neighborhood Restaurant Group
  • Orangetheory Fitness
  • Rose’s Luxury - Pineapple & Pearls
  • Salt & Sundry
  • True Sports Physical Therapy
  • VKB Kitchen & Bath