ABOUT THE FIRM
Leonard C. Tengco
Leonard C. Tengco is the founder of Tengco Law PLLC, a Virginia law firm focused on residential real estate and title litigation. He represents homeowners, heirs, creditors, purchasers, trustees, and other property owners in disputes involving title defects, competing ownership claims, foreclosure surplus funds, interpleader actions, quiet title litigation, deed disputes, easements, and other matters affecting property rights throughout Virginia.
Mr. Tengco has devoted his legal career to resolving disputes involving real property, title, ownership, and related litigation. Before founding Tengco Law PLLC, he represented title insurance companies, secured creditors, lenders, trustees, settlement agents, and property owners in complex real estate matters throughout Virginia. His experience includes litigation involving title defects, foreclosure proceedings, lien disputes, easement controversies, property ownership claims, deed challenges, and competing claims to real property and funds.
LITIGATION EXPERIENCE
Before founding Tengco Law PLLC, Mr. Tengco served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, an Assistant Appellate Defender, and the sole judicial law clerk for all five judges of the Portsmouth Circuit Court.
He later represented title insurance companies, lenders, trustees, settlement agents, secured creditors, and property owners in complex real estate and title-related litigation throughout Virginia. This combination of prosecutorial, judicial, appellate, and civil-litigation experience provides a unique perspective when evaluating and litigating disputes involving real property, title defects, ownership claims, foreclosure surplus funds, and related matters.
REAL ESTATE & TITLE LITIGATION EXPERIENCE
Mr. Tengco regularly represents clients in matters involving title disputes, foreclosure surplus funds, interpleader actions, quiet title claims, deed disputes, judgment liens, lis pendens issues, easements, boundary disputes, and other complex property-rights controversies.
His reported decisions include cases involving adverse possession, easement rights, deed delivery, property damage, title disputes, foreclosure-related litigation, interpleader proceedings, real estate contract disputes, fraudulent conveyances, and ownership claims. He has appeared before trial and appellate courts throughout Virginia and has successfully litigated matters involving some of the most complex and contested issues affecting real property ownership.
TEACHING & PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP
In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Tengco has taught continuing legal education programs for attorneys, title professionals, and members of the real estate industry.
His presentations have included topics such as:
- Quiet Title Actions in Virginia
- Interpleader Actions: What to Do with Money That Doesn’t Belong to You
- Title Litigation
- Essentials of Foreclosures
- Professional Liability and Ethical Pitfalls in the Real Estate Industry
Mr. Tengco has presented programs for organizations including Virginia CLE®, the Virginia Land Title Association, the Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference, and other professional organizations.
He is also a Virginia Certified Title Examiner and Virginia Certified Title Settlement Agent.
RECOGNITION
The Best Lawyers in America®
Real Estate Law and Real Estate Litigation (2022–2026)
Virginia Super Lawyers®
Real Estate Law (2019–2025)
Virginia Business Legal Elite
Civil Litigation (2019); Real Estate Law (2020–2026)
Northern Virginia 40 Under 40
Leadership Center for Excellence (2021)
Leadership Fairfax
Class of 2020
Northern Virginia Magazine Top Lawyers
(2025–2026)
Northern Virginia Magazine Top Lawyers
(2025–2026)
PUBLIC SERVICE & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Mr. Tengco has served in numerous public-service and leadership positions throughout Virginia.
His service includes elected and appointed leadership positions at both the local and state levels, including service on the Virginia Beach School Board, the Library Board of Virginia, and the Virginia Asian Advisory Board.
He has also served on professional and community organizations dedicated to leadership development, legal education, and public service.
PHILOSOPHY
For most people, real estate represents their largest financial asset. Disputes involving ownership, title defects, liens, easements, foreclosure proceeds, and competing claims to property can have significant financial and personal consequences.
Tengco Law PLLC is committed to protecting property rights through strategic, results-oriented litigation and practical legal counsel. Whether the dispute involves title to real property, funds derived from real estate transactions, or competing claims affecting ownership interests, the firm’s objective remains the same: to identify practical solutions and advocate effectively for its clients.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Commonwealth of Virginia
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Virginia
EDUCATION
- James Madison University (B.S., Economics)
- James Madison University (B.A., Political Science)
- Michigan State University College of Law (J.D., 2007)