Best Lawyers in America for Land Use and Zoning Law

Bill Patterson helps lenders, developers, investors, and business owners move real estate deals from concept to closing efficiently and with confidence. Since 2000, he has primarily focused his practice on real estate financing and commercial transactions, advising clients throughout the full lifecycle of real property matters from initial structuring through post closing issues. Bill works with local, regional, and national banks and other financial institutions on commercial real estate tra...

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

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

David has over twenty-five years of land use and environmental law experience. His practice focuses on CEQA, climate change, development agreements, discretionary permits and entitlements, infrastructure agreements, public-private partnerships, subdivisions, zoning, environmental regulatory compliance, CERCLA, RCRA, and Proposition 65. David regularly appears before planning commissions, city councils, and other federal, state, and local government agencies on land use and regulatory matters....

David Friedman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law and Land Use and Zoning Law. David, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Peter J. Coyle advises business and institutional clients on solving problems related to federal, state and local law and regulation. He represents clients before the Minnesota Legislature and state agencies, as well as cities, counties and townships, on a wide variety of business licensing, permitting, regulatory compliance, environmental review and related matters. The main focus of his practice is advising land owners, developers and contractors who are seeking local and state regulatory a...

Bio Joshua A. Berlinsky is the Chair of DarrowEverett’s Commercial Real Estate Practice Group and a Practice Leader for the Banking & Finance Group. His practice concentrates on commercial lending, complex real estate, and general business and finance law. Throughout his career, Josh has represented national and regional financial institutions in a variety of corporate transactions and commercial financings throughout the U.S., including acquisition financings, syndicated facilities...

Experience doesn't make us smarter, but it does steer us to solutions where the less-experienced might only see problems. Experienced land use counsel is particularly critical in California, for it is here that creative "been down this path before" thinking is needed to meet the challenges of an often-daunting convergence of federal, state, and local land use regulation. For more than four decades, Tim's insight has been shaped by work on some of California's most complex entitlement projects...

Paul L. Gunn was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1983. His experience spans from real estate and commercial finance to corporate and securities, including representation of developers, lenders and title companies on commercial, multifamily and tax credit projects. Paul's legal work has earned him many honors, including The Best Lawyers in America , Chambers USA -America's Leading Lawyers for Business (Real Estate) and Mid-South Super Lawyers . Paul was also elected to fellowship in the Ame...

J. Ray Oujesky has over 25 years of experience as a senior corporate in-house and private practice attorney providing results-oriented, trustworthy client representation. His real estate practice and experience includes: land use, zoning and permitting representation at municipal and state level; real estate negotiation, document preparation, management and closing; commercial contract negotiation and preparation; litigation and dispute resolution; oil and gas contract and lease negotiation a...

James G. Ward is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. James G., who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark Bentley is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, certified planner, and board-certified attorney with more than 30 years of experience representing clients in land use, zoning, eminent domain, and property rights matters throughout Florida. Based in Tampa, Florida, he serves clients at Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns LLP . His practice areas include Land Use and Zoning Law and Litigation - Land Use and Zoning. Mark represents private property owners, developers, businesses, and commercia...

Barak A. Wrobel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Barak A., who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Barak A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

William Meheula’s practice areas include complex commercial litigation, real estate litigation, legal malpractice, administrative law, divorce cases and Native Hawaiian rights. Mr. Meheula’s real estate litigation practice involves disputes concerning purchase and sale agreements, joint venture agreements, financial agreements, and regarding entitlement, condemnation, environmental, archaeological, and hotel and resort issues. His administrative law practice includes proceedings b...

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 ...

Charles R. Olson is a partner with Lubin Olson in San Francisco, California . His practice focuses on Land Use and Zoning Law, real estate , affordable housing , and related litigation. Mr. Olson represents developers, institutions, and property owners in matters involving land use entitlements, regulatory compliance, project approvals, and real estate transactions throughout San Francisco, the Bay Area, and Northern California. Mr. Olson assists clients with obtaining discretionary approvals...