Best Lawyers in America for Land Use and Zoning Law
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State
Spencer Crowley’s practice focuses on large scale land use and environmental permitting matters, including zoning, growth management, urban development, transportation, sovereignty submerged lands, coastal regulation, marina permitting, wetlands, and water resources. He has worked with the Governor’s Commission for a Sustainable South Florida, the South Florida Water Management District, and Duke University’s Wetlands Center in the Florida Everglades. He has assisted clients...
Kenneth B. Marcus is Director Emeritus of the firm who has practiced law since 1972. Mr. Marcus is experienced in the areas of commercial real estate law, development, finance, leasing, purchases and sales. He also has extensive experience in Hawaii business law including the formation of partnerships and limited liability companies, and corporate finance. His real property practice includes the development, acquisition, sale, financing and restructuring of hotels, office buildings and shoppi...
Nicholas J. Morrill is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Nicholas J., who practices law in Portland, Maine, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicholas J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Reid Wilson is recognized as southeast Texas’ preeminent land use attorney, a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL), and one of few practicing real estate attorneys holding the Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) designation. Board-certified in commercial real estate law and homeowners association law, he brings to his practice his relationships and reputation with governmental lawyers and officials throughout southeast Texas. As the Chairman of Wilson Cribbs + Goren...
Harold Yellin is a partner in the Savannah office, practicing in the areas of commercial real estate , zoning/land use , and commercial leasing . Harold has broad experience in commercial real estate matters, including the purchase, sale, and refinance of retail shopping centers and office, industrial, and mixed-use developments. He is actively involved in the negotiation and drafting of commercial leases on behalf of owners of shopping centers and office and industrial parks. Harold also has...
Area of Emphasis Mr. Lucas has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America ® for Land Use and Zoning and Municipal Law since 2007; Litigation – Land Use and Zoning since 2011; and Energy Law since 2015. He was also named the Best Lawyers ® 2012, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2023 and 2025 Litigation – Land Use and Zoning “Lawyer of the Year,” 2013, 2015 and 2024 Municipal Law “Lawyer of the Year,” 2014 and 2018 Land Use and Zoning Law “Lawyer of the Ye...
Richard Rattner has more than thirty years of experience in real estate law, with specialties in real estate acquisition, sale and loan transactions, land use development, zoning, and corporate law. Mr. Rattner is a member of the Oakland County Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan, the American Bar Association and the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation. He served on the Governing Council of the Real Property Law Section (RPLS) of the State Bar of Michigan and remains an active parti...
Nearly 30 years’ experience representing leading gaming companies. Skilled at navigating Nevada’s regulatory requirements. Deep understanding of licensing requirements and strategies to ensure clients secure licensure and remain in compliance. Sonia Church Vermeys helps clients navigate Nevada's complex regulatory requirements related to commercial development and liquor and gaming licensing. Her practice primarily focuses on commercial transactions, including complex financings, ...
Luke Blocher is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Luke, who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Luke is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Donna M. Jennings is a shareholder in the Land Use and Environmental groups and a member of the Management Committee at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A. Ms. Jennings has successfully handled litigation related to the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) on behalf of individuals and institutions who were discriminated against by unfair zoning codes and landmarking laws. With regard to her affordable housing practice, both public and private entities benefit from Ms...
Tamsen Plume is a partner in Holland & Knight’s Public Policy & Regulation Group. Her practice concentrates on land use and environmental law. She represents project proponents in land use and environmental permitting, compliance, and due diligence matters for complex land use, development and redevelopment projects. Ms. Plume’s practice includes: Local land use entitlements, including development agreements, general plan amendments, zoning amendments, variances, design re...
Taylor Earl’s legal practice focuses exclusively on zoning, land use, and municipal law. As an Arizona native, Taylor takes pride in contributing to the quality development and redevelopment of his home state. His extensive experience spans all sectors of real estate development, including residential (single-family and multi-family), industrial, commercial, office, food and entertainment, hospitality, and more. Taylor has successfully secured entitlements and various land use approvals...
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.