Best Lawyers in Florida, United States for Land Use and Zoning Law

Michael has an active land use and zoning practice in Miami-Dade County, with a broad specialization in Miami Beach, where he frequently appears in front of the City Commission, Historic Preservation Board, Design Review Board, the Board of Adjustment, and the Planning Board. Michael also does work in Bay Harbour, Sunny Isles, Key Biscayne, Aventura and Bal Harbour. Additionally, his practice extends to appellate litigation matters before the Eleventh Judicial Circuit’s Appellate Divisi...

Ryan D. Bailine is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Ryan D., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ryan D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael (Mickey) has been practicing land use and governmental law for more than two decades. His law practice is focused primarily on representing clients throughout South Florida in all areas of development approvals including zoning, land use, due diligence and permitting. Additionally, Mickey has helped clients with a myriad of code enforcement and compliance issues. In particular, he has recently been involved with major projects in the City of Miami Beach and the City of Aventura. He is...

Janna Peters Lhota is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Janna Peters, who practices law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Janna Peters is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeff E. Wright 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. Jeff E., who practices law in Naples, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeff E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen Tilbrook has more than 25 years of experience practicing land use and environmental law, and he focuses his practice on complex land use, development, and environmental matters throughout the state of Florida. He represents property owners, expanding businesses, developers, financial institutions, and institutional clients, including hospitals, universities, regional shopping centers, and real estate investment trusts. He specializes in addressing the land use and environmental challe...

William “Bill” R. Scherer cofounded the firm in 1974 with his late partner Rex Conrad. Over the past five decades, Mr. Scherer has grown Conrad & Scherer into one of Florida’s leading law firms and has expanded the firm’s presence with offices in New York, New York, Brevard, North Carolina, and Quito, Ecuador. AV® Preeminent™ Peer Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® since 1987, Mr. Scherer is a seasoned trial attorney. He has litigated over 100 trials in bot...

Carlos R. Lago is a member of the Land Use & Land Development Practice of the firm’s Miami office. He focuses his practice on land use, zoning, and governmental affairs representing clients in numerous multi-million dollar transactions throughout South Florida. Carlos represents real estate and hotel development clients that include The Related Group; Terra; OKO Group; Aries Development; Aria Development; BMG Group; CMC Group; East End Capital Partners; Greystone & Co; Avra Jain...

Robert Volpe is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Robert, who practices law in Tallahassee, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patrick W. Krechowski has over 25 years of experience in real estate, land use, environmental, governmental, administrative litigation, appeals and title insurance law. Patrick is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in City, County and Local Government Law. His practice focuses on all aspects of zoning and land use law, real estate due diligence, environmental permitting (including sovereign submerged lands and riparian rights), environmental remediation, water use permitting and planning, bea...

Stephanie J. Toothaker, Esq. / Chairwoman & Chief Strategist TOOTHAKER.org Stephanie is a Martindale Hubbell AV rated attorney, and so much more. Regularly recognized as a SuperLawyer and by Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, she guides clients with her sophisticated approach to governmental relations and procurement. Representing private equity firms, innovative companies, and entrepreneurial individuals seeking complex land development entitlements, her specific expertise on these matte...

Lenore Brakefield is a partner at Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A., where she focuses her practice on civil and commercial litigation, including construction litigation matters. She also represents clients in local government law, code enforcement proceedings, community association law, real estate matters, and contract and transactional work, providing practical and results-oriented legal guidance across a broad range of issues. A Naples native, Lenore earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude ...

Nectaria Chakas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Nectaria, who practices law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nectaria is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Anthony (Tony) P. Pires, Jr. is a partner at Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A., based in the firm’s Naples, Florida office. His practice focuses on Government Relations Practice, Municipal Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, and related areas of local government and administrative law. He represents public and private clients throughout Collier County, Lee County, and surrounding Southwest Florida communities. Tony has been Board Certified by The Florida Bar in City, County & Local Gov...

Mark Bentley practices in the area of land use, eminent domain and property rights. He is a former planning director and has represented numerous private property owners against various governmental condemning authorities in eminent domain matters. He also practices in the areas of administrative law and legal matters. Mark taught land use law as an adjunct professor for the University of South Florida’s Urban and Regional Master’s Degree Program, and now serves on the program&rsq...

Nicholas Barshel practices in the area of land use and development, representing clients in all aspects of the development approval process including due diligence review, planning and zoning applications, submerged lands issues, dock and marina permits, historic preservation, code compliance, and other aspects of complex land use and zoning matters with federal, state, and local agencies. He has assisted clients in development of major projects across South Florida and beyond, including the ...