Best Lawyers in California, United States for Land Use and Zoning Law
Select a city from the list below to find the best legal talent for your needs.
Cities
Christian H. Cebrian is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation - Environmental and Litigation - Land Use and Zoning. Christian H., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christian H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Nicholas William Targ is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Regulatory Law, Environmental Law and Land Use and Zoning Law. Nicholas William, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicholas William is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Douglas J. Dennington is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Douglas J., who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Douglas J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Sara Ghalandari is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Sara, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sara is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
R. Clark Morrison is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Natural Resources Law and Real Estate Law. R. Clark, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which R. Clark is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Alexander M. DeGood is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Alexander M., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alexander M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Scott B. Birkey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning and Natural Resources Law. Scott B., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Scott B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mitchell B. Menzer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Mitchell B., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mitchell B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kenneth B. Bley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning and Real Estate Law. Kenneth B., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 1995. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kenneth B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Duncan Joseph Moore is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Litigation - Land Use and Zoning. Duncan Joseph, who practices law in Century City, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Duncan Joseph is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Matthew Gray focuses his practice on land use entitlement processing and litigation. He represents a range of local agencies, real estate developers and landowners in all stages of the land use entitlement and development process. He assists clients in negotiating and securing approval of development agreements, general plan amendments, specific plans, zoning, subdivision approvals, and annexation of property into cities and special districts; regularly appears before planning commissions and...
Celeste Stahl Brady is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Celeste Stahl, who practices law in Newport Beach, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Celeste Stahl is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Geoff Robinson focuses his practice on land use, development and real estate litigation. He represents clients in civil and administrative proceedings involving planning and zoning laws, CEQA, development fees and exactions, and public facilities financing. He is an authority on writs of mandate in the trial court and is co-author of the treatise California Administrative Mandamus (CEB, 3rd Ed. 2020) and other publications on civil writ practice. He also has substantial experience in the area...
Alicia Guerra has developed a multi-disciplinary practice focused on local, state, and federal land use entitlement and permitting and environmental review for a broad sector of private industry, developers, and public agencies. Ms. Guerra’s practice often involves complex and controversial projects at all levels of the administrative process including due diligence, land use entitlements, development agreements, disposition and development agreements, permitting advice, and counsel for...
Ryan Michael Leaderman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Ryan Michael, who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ryan Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.