Best Lawyers in America for Land Use and Zoning Law
State
Ed Casey represents a variety of residential, retail and commercial developers in land use matters, including those arising under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). His practice encompasses every facet of the entitlement process, from pre-acquisition due diligence to permitting, and he has successfully prosecuted and defended CEQA and other land use lawsuits for a number of major development projects. Ed was listed in the 2015 and 2016 editions of The Best Lawyers in America &co...
Derek B. Simon is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Derek B. practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii Best Lawyers has recognized Derek B. Simon since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Derek B. Simon is held by other lawyers.
Matthew H. Snell is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation - Environmental and Real Estate Law. Matthew H. practices law in Boston, Massachusetts Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew H. Snell since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Matthew H. Snell is held by oth...
Tamara O’Neill Moreland advises clients on complex litigation involving land use, environmental issues, construction, real estate and appellate advocacy. For over 25 years, she has litigated cases to successful conclusions against city and state agencies in state and federal court and successfully handled a wide variety of appeals. Tamara is a MSBA Board Certified Real Property Specialist. At Larkin Hoffman, she serves as Ethics Counsel. She was also the past Chair of the Professional D...
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...
Lee H. Hamann is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Construction Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Lee H. practices law in Omaha, Nebraska Best Lawyers has recognized Lee H. Hamann since 2006. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Lee H. Hamann is held by other lawyers.
Patrick M. McKenna has extensive experience representing numerous municipalities, zoning hearing boards, municipal authorities, and planning commissions in Chester and Delaware Counties. In addition, he advises and guides private land owners and developers through complex commercial land development matters, from acquisition and planning, through the permitting and land development phases. He has represented clients on matters including townhome developments, senior care homes, national fast-...
Samuel E. Swafford is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Samuel E. practices law in Indianapolis, Indiana Best Lawyers has recognized Samuel E. Swafford since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Samuel E. Swafford is held by other lawyers.
Patrice Boyes is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Land Use and Zoning Law. Patrice practices law in Tallahassee, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Patrice Boyes since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Patrice Boyes is held by other lawyers.
Michael J. “Mike” Rothermel is an attorney with Spotts Fain PC in Richmond, Virginia, whose practice focuses on Land Use and Zoning Law , real estate litigation , and administrative law . He advises developers, property owners, and businesses on zoning, permitting, entitlement, and land use matters in jurisdictions throughout Virginia. Mike represents clients in matters involving rezonings, conditional use permits, variances, subdivision approvals, and other local land use approva...
Phillip Hummel represents developers, property owners, nonprofits (including hospitals, museums, and religious organizations), and senior living facilities on zoning, planning, entitlements, permitting, historic preservation, development impact taxation, and other land use matters across several Maryland jurisdictions. He counsels clients from due diligence through permitting, regularly appears before municipal, county, and state agencies, and brings significant litigation experience to Maryl...
Mark J. Woodward is the Managing Partner of Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A., serving clients in Naples and Marco Island, Florida. He is double Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Real Estate Law and in Condominium and Planned Development Law. Mark has practiced law in Florida for more than 40 years. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Florida and his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law. Mark’s practice focuses on Community Associati...
Jennifer L. Hernandez co-chairs Holland & Knight’s National Environmental Team and leads the West Coast Land Use and Environment Practice Group. She divides her time between the San Francisco and Los Angeles offices, and works on projects in Northern and Southern California, as well as the Central Valley. She has achieved national prominence in her work on brownfields redevelopment, wetlands and endangered species, and master planned community projects. She represents private, nonpr...
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.
