Best Lawyers in America for Land Use and Zoning Law

Johanna W. Schneider advises clients on real estate development permitting and land use and environmental disputes. She represents public and private clients in real estate disputes at all stages of litigation, including trials, mediations and appeals. Her experience includes: Zoning, subdivision, wetlands and land use permitting appeals Real property disputes, including easement, adverse possession and construction claims Environmental contamination disputes Working on complex real estate de...

Todd E. Lehder is co-chair of the Real Estate team at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A. Mr. Lehder is ranked by Chambers USA for Real Estate in New Jersey and is a fellow with the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. Mr. Lehder represents professional developers, real estate investors, lenders, and property management companies, as well as borrowers, landlords, and tenants in a variety of office, industrial, retail, and residential projects in New Jersey. He handles complex commercial ...

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...

Julie focuses on environmental and land use counseling and litigation for complex development projects. She resolves issues that arise under the California Environmental Quality Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, federal and state species protection statutes, and a range of other local, state and federal statutes and common law doctrines that affect land use. An experienced litigator in California and federal courts, Julie defends projects and uses this experienc...

Greg counsels clients in all aspects of land use and real estate, including finance, planning, development, and litigation. His courtroom experience is impressive: He’s spent over 30 years serving as a trial judge, both in the United States Air Force and the New Hampshire Circuit Courts. Additionally, he previously practiced both business law and litigation with New Hampshire-based law firm Wiggin & Nourie. As a result of his experience on both sides of the bench, he is a uniquely e...

A skilled litigator with experience at all levels of federal and state courts in South Carolina, Dan represents clients in court hearings and trials as well as before local councils, agencies and commissions. He also helps companies interested in building or expanding in the Central Upstate South Carolina, including Rock Hill, Fort Mill and York, Chester and Lancaster Counties. He works with clients on land use and zoning matters, and he also assists businesses seeking economic development in...

Deborah is a partner and land use attorney at Givens Pursley. She helps clients navigate the land use process from start to finish, performing due diligence, preparing applications, negotiating with agency staff, presenting projects at hearings, and handling any challenges. She also helps companies obtain the legal entitlements required for the siting or expansion of a business or development. These entitlements include land use and zoning permits, transportation approvals, tax and workforce ...

Diane Calta is a key member of the firm’s civil litigation and real estate and land use practice groups, bringing over 25 years of legal experience in municipal law, economic development, litigation, real estate, eminent domain, and probate and estate planning. She currently serves as Director of Law for Mayfield Village and as special legal counsel for the City of Independence. Her previous roles include serving as Director of Law for the cities of Beachwood and Green. Diane has also h...

Clayton Graham helps clients buy, develop, and sell real estate, as well as navigate land development issues of all types. His projects range from single-site commercial uses to large infrastructure and essential public facility projects. Clayton has assisted clients on significant, high-profile, and contested development projects in the Puget Sound region and beyond. As part of DWT’s multidisciplinary land development team, Clayton helps clients site, permit, and develop their projects...

Timothy E. Britain is a director and shareholder of Cleveland, Waters and Bass, P.A. in Concord, where he focuses his practice in real estate, commercial lending, land use planning and zoning, and real estate litigation. He earned his B.S. degree with distinction, in forest management from the University of Maine in 1980, and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Suffolk University in 1984. Mr. Britain is a member of the Merrimack County and New Hampshire bar associations. He is currently vice cha...

Edward J. Kus is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law and Real Estate Law. Edward J. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Edward J. Kus since 2024. 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 Edward J. Kus is held by other lawyers.

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...

Michelle C. Harrell is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Land Use and Zoning Law and Litigation - Real Estate. Michelle C. practices law in Southfield, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Michelle C. Harrell since 2025. 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 Michelle C. Harrell is held by other lawyers.

Scott Dienes is a real estate, municipal and finance attorney assisting clients with complex projects that define and shape communities. With a strong municipal and real estate background, along with tax-exempt bond and public finance experience, Scott keeps projects on track and on budget. Scott has served as general counsel to municipal clients his entire career. He acts on behalf of local governments, development authorities, school districts, water and sewer authorities, district librarie...

Erica Garrison is known for her creative problem solving, her client-centered approach and her unique understanding of municipal and state regulatory law. She specifically focuses her practice on entitlement and land-use projects in Nashville, helping to shape the landscape by permitting and entitling numerous projects that have beneficially impacted the city’s skyline. Erica daily interfaces with agencies in Nashville and the surrounding mid-south area, and she is well-known for her en...

Gary Hunter is a partner at Holtzman Vogel, where he maintains a broad governmental law practice with emphasis on state government affairs, land use entitlements, property rights advocacy and environmental issues. In over three decades of practice in Florida, Gary has represented Florida’s largest landowners in complex land use strategic development, litigation, and large area planning. He has been equally privileged to represent everyday landowners in protecting property rights from re...