Best Lawyers in America for Land Use and Zoning Law

Ross A. Leisman graduated with honors from Calvin College in 1984, and with honors from the University of Michigan Law School in 1988. Ross has served as chairman of the firm's Local Government Practice Group, has served on the firm's Management Committee and is a member of the Litigation Group. Ross specializes in civil litigation, bank disputes, land use and municipal law. He has served on several community boards, including the Kent County Building Authority, the Ada Township Planning Comm...

Marie A. Cooper is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Marie A., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Marie A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John W. Paradee is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Litigation - Land Use and Zoning. John W., who practices law in Dover, Delaware, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brandon Hoskins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Real Estate and Real Estate Law. Brandon, who practices law in Billings, Montana, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brandon is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Caroline Harris's practice is focused on land use law, emphasizing New York City zoning and historic preservation. She is an expert on development rights deals (“air rights”) and discretionary approvals. She also has substantial transactional experience and serves as a Neutral Arbitrator on the Commercial Panel of the American Arbitration Association.Ms. Harris began her zoning career in the public sector as Associate Counsel for the New York City Department of City Planning. As A...

Jim focuses his practice on representing public and private sector clients in complex matters involving zoning, condemnation, economic incentives, elections, telecommunications, municipal law, environmental law and commercial real estate. He assists clients in landfill development, obtaining economic incentives from state and local governments, locating cell towers, condemnations, election challenges, rezonings, annexation disputes and procurement challenges. Jim practiced for 18 years in the...

Having worked as an urban planner, as chair of the Portland Zoning Board, and inside state government, Phil is well acquainted with municipal and land use law. That experience, combined with his legal expertise, makes him extremely adept at counseling municipal officials and boards and obtaining land use approvals at local, state, and federal levels for real estate developers and property owners. And he’s just as equipped to help clients with legislative issues: he helped draft and pass...

Andy has more than 25 years experience in general environmental counseling and regulatory compliance, natural resource permitting, and land use permitting. He has served for more than 25 years as general counsel and has provided environmental law services on special projects to Maine municipalities. Andy is the Chair of the Environmental & Land Use and Municipal Law & Finance practice groups at Eaton Peabody. His practice concentrates on environmental compliance counseling, and repres...

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.

Rachel B. Horsch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Rachel B., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rachel B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Attorney Studer is a Senior Partner with Berchem Moses PC who practices in the areas of land use and commercial real estate law. He graduated magna cum laude from Stonehill College in 1972 and cum laude from Suffolk University Law School in 1977 where he was a member of the Suffolk University Law Review. Mr. Studer’s practice concentrates on the representation of municipalities and developers in all aspects of the local zoning and land use permitting process, as well as the permitting p...

Thomas Leslie is the managing shareholder in Greenberg Traurig’s White Plains office. He focuses his practice on the areas of banking and finance and he represents some of the largest financial institutions in the United States. His practice concentrates on representing financial institutions and developers in connection with the purchase, sale and financing of real estate, the sale and financing of loan portfolios as well as the financing of fine art, private aircraft and other forms o...

Chris Roper is a land use lawyer focused on real estate development, entitlements, and concurrency. He has experience throughout central Florida representing clients in due diligence, re-zonings, comprehensive plan amendments, vested rights, Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs), binding letters, and special taxing districts, including community development districts (CDD). Chris also has experience in real estate tax appeals.

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

Leah Rachin focuses her practice on municipal, land use, and employment law. Leah combines 20 years of practice experience with her practical, detail-oriented nature to deliver customized, workable solutions to help clients achieve their objectives. Leah serves as town attorney to several municipalities, and advises towns and other public sector clients on a broad range of issues such as zoning, planning, licensing/permitting, charter/ordinance drafting and interpretation, right-to-know law, ...