Best Lawyers in Florida, United States for Land Use and Zoning Law
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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...
C. David Brown II is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. C. David, who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which C. David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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 ...
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...
Charles F. Mills III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Environmental Law, Government Contracts, Government Relations Practice, Land Use and Zoning Law and Litigation - Environmental. Charles F., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geog...
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...
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...
Barbara A. Hall concentrates her practice in the area of land use and environmental law. She has 21 years of experience in development law first representing local governments as an Assistant City Attorney and as Assistant County Attorney, and then representing private property owners and developers. Barbara has wide-ranging experience in comprehensive planning, developments of regional impact, zoning, site plan approvals, platting, environmental permitting, variances, annexation, due diligen...
Iris Escarrá is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Iris, who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Iris is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Clifford I. Hertz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Clifford I., who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Clifford I. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Robert Sanders focuses his practice on governmental, administrative and real estate matters. Prior to joining the firm, Bob served as City Administrator for the City of West Palm Beach, Florida, reporting directly to the Mayor. Bob was brought into the city administration by Mayor Graham to lead the city's revitalization development efforts as its strategist, key negotiator and facilitator in all significant economic impact development projects and transactions. Before his tenure with the Cit...
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...
Marissa Amuial focuses her practice on land use and development, representing clients in all aspects of the development approval process including zoning applications, special area plans (SAPs), historic preservation matters, code compliance and enforcement, and other administrative and quasi-judicial hearings. Additionally, Marissa assists clients throughout South Florida in navigating public/private incentive agreements and in drafting land use development regulations.
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.
Brenda L. Patten is a founding member of the law firm of Berlin Patten Ebling, PLLC, with offices in Sarasota, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Venice, Lakewood Ranch and Bonita Springs, Florida. Ms. Patten specializes in Land Use Law, Government Law, Administrative Law and real estate development law. She is a professional urban planner and attorney representing developers of major projects, including hotels, resorts, condominiums, shopping centers, new communities and other major developments. Ms. Pa...
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.