Based in Chicago, Neal & Leroy, LLC, is regularly sought out by a diverse roster of public- and private-sector clients for guidance on entitlement matters. The firm also advises on land use rights and obligations, and provides strategic counsel on design, financing constraints, and environmental considerations. The practice is led by managing partner and seasoned land use attorney Langdon D. Neal.

Akerman LLP advises developers, landowners, and investors nationwide on the full spectrum of land use and zoning matters. The firm handles land assemblage, entitlements, environmental compliance, and affordable housing, frequently acting as zoning counsel on large-scale development projects. Florida-based T. Spencer Crowley III and New York-based Joshua Rinesmith co-chair the land use practice, providing expertise in zoning and permitting across their respective regions. In Miami, Neisen Kasdin advises on regulatory approvals for multi-use projects, while Dennis Kerbel guides clients through complex legal and regulatory frameworks. Chicago-based Meg George is a key contact for zoning, licensing, and permitting, and Eleanore Martins in New York manages approvals, amendments, and permits. Also in New York, Jaclyn Scarinci specializes in inclusionary housing and tax incentive matters. Vivien Krieger joined the team in June 2025 from Cozen O'Connor, bringing extensive experience in New York City land use and zoning matters.

 

Based in Northern California, Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP advises on major development projects across the Bay Area, including sports arenas, neighborhood transformation initiatives, and large-scale tech headquarters. The firm is also active in housing policy and legislative reform. The practice is led by  Miles H. Imwalle, who brings deep expertise in California’s regulatory processes for mixed-use projects, corporate campuses, residential developments, and utility-scale renewable energy projects, while pioneering the application of new legislation. Frank Petrilli handles complex and often contentious developments across the Mid-Peninsula, Silicon Valley, and Santa Cruz, assisting clients with entitlement strategies, negotiations with local and regulatory agencies, and related litigation. Tay Via focuses on large public-private projects and represents real estate companies, nonprofit organizations, and professional sports teams, advising on CEQA compliance and regulations affecting waterfront development and life sciences projects. All attorneys mentioned are based in San Francisco.

Cox, Castle & Nicholson’s land use, environment and energy team advises clients across California on all aspects of land use, including entitlement processing, CEQA compliance, and related litigation, with particular expertise in the renewable energy sector. The team works on a wide range of developments, including master-planned communities, hotels, healthcare and life sciences facilities, office buildings, and electrical generation projects, and also represents government and quasi-government agencies on major initiatives. The practice is jointly led by San Francisco-based Anne Mudge, who frequently secures land use permits for wind, solar, and battery storage projects, and Los Angeles-based Andrew Fogg, who advises developers and public entities on complex entitlement processes. In Orange County, Sean Matsler handles entitlements for residential, industrial, office, and commercial developments, while San Francisco’s Margo Bradish develops risk-minimization strategies for entitlement approvals. Linda C. Klein, also based in San Fransisco and Morgan Gallagher, based in Orange County, are both experienced in CEQA matters. All listed attorneys are based in California.

Described as a “powerhouse zoning counsel,” DLA Piper LLP (US) advises clients nationwide on a broad range of transformative real estate projects, with particular expertise in data centers, stadiums, and large-scale mixed-use developments. In Northern Virginia, Antonio Calabrese regularly advises on hyperscale data center campuses and critical infrastructure projects. In California, Jerold Neuman develops entitlement strategies for office towers, hotels, and studio campuses, while Kyndra Joy Casper focuses on CEQA compliance and waterfront initiatives. Boston-based John Rattigan acts as counsel to developers, public agencies, and investors on the acquisition, development, sale, and leasing of large-scale projects. The firm’s Chicago team includes land-use and financing expert Paul Shadle, alongside entitlement and transaction specialists Mariah DiGrino and Katherine Jahnke Dale. Former practice leader Richard Klawiter retired in December 2025.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP routinely advises high-profile clients on complex zoning regulations and development approvals in New York, while also shaping the city’s legislative landscape through counsel to the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) on state and city legislation affecting real estate development. The team is jointly led by land-use specialists Zachary Bernstein and Wesley O’Brien, who regularly manage approvals and zoning matters for private developers, not-for-profits, and religious organizations. David Karnovsky brings notable expertise in environmental review, while Anita Laremont advocates on legislative matters before the REBNY. Other key figures include associate Ellen Lehman, who handles a broad range of real estate development matters, and Nicholas Williams, who is sought out for rezonings, special permits, variances, air rights transactions, and zoning diligence in acquisitions and financings. Elizabeth Lee advises on zoning due diligence and analysis. All attorneys mentioned are based in New York.

Based in California, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP’s land use and development department regularly handles large-scale projects across the state, with notable expertise in commercial property transformation and major stadium and arena developments. Leading the practice, Los Angeles-based Ben Saltsman routinely secures land use entitlements for significant real estate projects and brings extensive knowledge of local and state land use law and policy. Also in Los Angeles, Amy R. Forbes advises on land use planning matters, including zoning, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and municipal law. In San Francisco, Mary G. Murphy represents developers and investors on land use matters, particularly historic rehabilitation projects, while Allison H. Kidd combines a strong transactional practice with work on large-scale developments. Also based in San Francisco, Sara Ghalandari handles entitlement processing for major real estate projects across the Bay Area and broader California, and seasoned real estate, land use, and municipal law expert Neil Sekhri is also a key contact.

Holland & Knight’s nationwide land use practice regularly acts as land use, planning, and zoning counsel on high-profile and large-scale development projects across the US. The team advises on a broad range of complex matters, including mixed-use developments, sports stadiums, telecommunications infrastructure, and energy facilities. The wider real estate practice is co-headed by Joe Guay in New York and Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz in Miami. The land use offering in Miami is led by Joseph Goldstein, who focuses on representing developers and private property owners in securing entitlements and navigating governmental approvals and permitting processes. In New York City, Kenneth Lowenstein regulalry advises on complex approval processes and is actively involved with the Real Estate Board of New York, where he contributes to the development of a new residential tax exemption program. Washington, DC–based Christine Shiker advises clients throughout the District on all stages of the project lifecycle, while Jennifer Hernandez provides additional depth from California, advising on brownfield redevelopment, endangered species issues, and CEQA compliance. In Nashville, Jon Cooper maintains a broad real estate practice encompassing land use and zoning, regulatory compliance, public-private partnerships, and government relations.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer’s extensive New York–based team is well equipped to advise clients on all aspects of the City’s Zoning Resolution. The practice is experienced in securing complex zoning interpretations, rezonings, and variances from relevant boards and councils, as well as litigating public agency decisions. The team also regularly appears before the Landmarks Preservation Commission, where it represents clients in connection with landmark designation processes and work permits, and advises on site assemblage and the land use aspects of project financing. The practice is led by James Power, who advises private developers, lenders, investors, and cultural, educational, and healthcare institutions on zoning and environmental review processes, alongside representing clients before city agencies. Valerie Campbell and Eugene Travers bring notable expertise in historic preservation matters, while Sheila Pozon advises on the planning, acquisition, development, and financing of projects. Paul Selver focuses on zoning interpretations, entitlements, and transfers of development rights, and Patrick Sullivan advises on public approval strategies for major developments. Former co-practice head Elise Wagner retired in December 2025.

Based in California, Latham & Watkins advises a roster of high-profile clients on the development of university campuses, entertainment venues, and large-scale residential projects. The team is widely regarded for its environmental law capabilities, with deep expertise on air quality, climate change, water resources, and transportation regulation, regularly counseling on both renewable energy and conventional power projects. The wider practice is overseen by New York’s Gary Gengel and Washington, DC’s Stacey L. VanBelleghem, while the California practice is led by Los Angeles-based Maria Hoye, who is experienced at securing complex entitlements and environmental approvals, particularly for environmentally impacted sites. Also in Los Angeles, John Heintz is a seasoned litigator handling infrastructure siting disputes and regulatory compliance matters under federal and state regimes, including the California Environmental Quality Act. In Orange County, Nikki Buffa advises on energy and infrastructure developments involving conservation and endangered species compliance, while San Diego-based Jennifer Roy handles land use entitlements for major energy projects. DJ Moore, Beth Gordie, Winston Stromberg, Benjamin Hanelin, and Lauren Paull departed the firm in May 2025.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner’s New York planning and zoning team advises clients on municipal and state approvals relating to zoning, construction, building codes, and preservation. The team also guides lenders and investors on zoning due diligence and represents clients in litigation arising from land use administrative proceedings. Judith Gallent leads the practice, with extensive experience across all aspects of New York City’s land use processes, including zoning analysis, air rights transfers, and securing discretionary approvals from planning commissions and boards. James Colgate advises on special permits and zoning variances and acts as land use counsel to developers, while Kurt Steinhouse brings expertise in zoning and construction codes as well as environmental review requirements.

 

The land use team at Husch Blackwell LLP advises clients on a broad spectrum of zoning matters, including special use approvals, code compliance, municipal land transactions, and complex development projects. In Austin, Nikelle Meade leads the practice, regularly representing clients before city councils, zoning boards of adjustment, planning commissions, and state and local agencies. In St. Louis, David Richardson guides developers and municipalities through redevelopment and zoning challenges. Houston-based litigator Katharine David brings public law expertise and experience representing government entities, while Sandy Hellums-Gomez advises boards and administrations on land use matters. In Milwaukee, Rodney Carter is noted for securing entitlements and resolving permitting and code issues with local councils and boards, and Jake Remington handles all aspects of land use and zoning matters.

Based in California, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP advises developers, landowners, and public agencies on a wide range of projects, including brownfield, retail, and industrial redevelopments, oil and gas properties, biotech facilities, and sensitive habitat projects. The team is particularly experienced in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Coastal Act, the Subdivision Map Act, and historic preservation laws. Practice head Victor De la Cruz regularly handles large-scale land use and real estate matters in Los Angeles County involving complex regulatory frameworks. Susan K. Hori advises on major development and redevelopment projects across Southern California, including CEQA compliance, entitlements, and regulatory approvals from state and federal resource agencies. In San Francisco, litigator Sigrid Waggener focuses on infrastructure and renewable energy projects, while Jennifer Lynch in Orange County provides CEQA and compliance counsel. David Smith departed the firm in June 2025.

With notable expertise in entitlement, Mayer Brown LLP’s land use and zoning practice advises on complex development projects across Southern California, including major Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) initiatives. The team is led by Edgar Khalatian, who represents investors and developers across all aspects of real estate entitlement and development, ensuring compliance with state and local regulations, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Working alongside the firm’s broader real estate and public policy, regulatory & political law practices, co-led by Philip Recht, the team regularly represents clients before federal, state, and local authorities. Dario Frommer advises on legislative, regulatory, enforcement, and investigative matters, while litigator Dan Queen and associate Richard Bruckner focus on CEQA compliance. Nedda Mahrou represents commercial and residential developers in transactional land use matters and related litigation, and Patricia Tubert is a key contact for project entitlements and environmental compliance. All aforementioned attorneys are based in Los Angeles.

 

Based in New York and California, Sheppard’s real estate, energy, land use & environmental team advises on a wide range of matters, including as-of-right and discretionary land use and zoning, discretionary environmental review, landmark projects, air rights transactions, and permitting. The team acts across residential, institutional, hospitality, commercial, and industrial development projects. San Diego-based Michael Leake and New York-based Scott Stern jointly lead the broader real estate practice. In San Francisco, Jennifer Rank manages entitlements for high-tech and multi-family residential developments, while Keith Garner is noted for natural resources permitting for energy generation and transmission projects. Jeffrey Forrest, based in San Diego, and Los Angeles’ Jack Rubens regularly handle entitlement approvals and California Environmental Quality Act litigation. In New York, Jodi Stein and Eva Schneider represent developers in securing discretionary land use approvals under the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure.

Ballard Spahr LLP advises a diverse client base on securing complex permits and approvals for real estate development projects, including zoning variances, environmental permitting, and historic preservation matters across Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, Washington, and Baltimore. The practice is jointly led by Baltimore-based Amy McClain, who represents housing authorities and affordable housing developers in complex transactions, and Philadelphia’s Matthew McClure, a trusted adviser to developers, nonprofits, and universities on preservation strategy. Steven Mehr strengthens the Salt Lake City offering with broad zoning and entitlements experience, while Washington’s Jill Parks, who joined the team from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP in April 2025,  is noted for her work on transit-oriented, mixed-use developments.

 

Miami-based Bercow Radell Fernandez Larkin & Tapanes is a boutique firm specializing in land use, zoning, and environmental matters. The team advises on due diligence, rezoning initiatives, site planning, and permitting, acting for real estate developers, landowners, institutional clients, and lenders. The practice is jointly led by Jeffrey Bercow, Ben Fernandez, Michael Larkin, and Melissa Tapanes Llahues, each bringing extensive experience in the sector. Graham Penn frequently handles appellate litigation before the Third District Court of Appeal, while Michael Marrero advises on development approvals and compliance matters. Carli M. Koshal supports clients across due diligence, land use and zoning approvals, site planning, concurrency, and vested rights.

Greenberg Traurig’s national land use practice advises clients across Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and California on the full lifecycle of development projects, from site assemblage and due diligence through zoning, permitting, environmental compliance, and litigation. The practice is led by Miami-based Iris Escarra, who regularly represents property owners and developers in securing entitlements for commercial, mixed-use, and residential developments. New York–based co-heads Jay Segal and Deirdre Carson frequently appear before councils, commissions, and boards of appeal on behalf of developers, investors, and NGOs. Miami-based Ryan Bailine focuses on development and financing matters, while Brady McShane advises on political, regulatory, and environmental issues affecting property development across California and Colorado. Boston-based zoning specialist Sean Nehill joined the team in February 2025.

Herrick, Feinstein LLP frequently advises on complex, large-scale development projects in New York City, with experience across zoning changes, special permits, variances, and related entitlements, as well as the transfer of development rights. The firm is particularly adept at securing government approvals for matters involving historic districts and landmark preservation. The practice is led by land use attorney and urban planner Mitchell Korbey, who advises developers, owners, and lenders on site acquisitions and assemblages, zoning lot mergers, discretionary approvals, and portfolio management. Belinda G. Schwartz and Jonathan Adelsberg co-chair the wider real estate practice. Robert Huberman is also a key contact, advising architects, engineers, and property owners on land use and zoning matters in New York City.

Based in Northern Virginia, McGuireWoods LLP demonstrates notable expertise in zoning and land use matters, with particular strength in transit-oriented development. The team frequently advises data center and affordable housing clients on entitlement processes and also assists with zoning approvals for the repositioning of office and retail assets into mixed-use developments. New York–based Dennis Mensi oversees the wider real estate practice, while Gregory Reigle is a key contact for land use, zoning, and redevelopment matters, regularly handling special permits, variances, appeals, and amendments before governmental authorities. Scott Adams is also recognized for his experience in land use entitlements. Unless otherwise stated, all aforementioned attorneys are based in Fairfax County, Virginia.

California-based Nossaman LLP advises on high-profile residential, mixed-use, and public infrastructure projects, with particular strength in development within the Coastal Zone. The firm is also noted for its eminent domain and valuation practice, regularly supporting clients with pre-condemnation planning. The team is led from Orange County by eminent domain specialist Brad Kuhn, who advises public agencies, utilities, and property owners on development projects. John Erskine, also in Orange County, counsels development teams and coastal homeowner associations on compliance with zoning laws, the California Environmental Quality Act, and the California Coastal Act. Managing partner and experienced litigator David Graeler, based in Los Angeles, handles complex land acquisition and valuation disputes.

 

Boston-based Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLP’s land use and permitting practice advises a broad range of clients across the full lifecycle of real estate projects, from acquisition and permitting through development, leasing, financing, and disposition. The team is experienced in negotiating development agreements and ground leases, as well as resolving regulatory challenges relating to public infrastructure projects, waterfront redevelopments, and brownfield site revitalisations. The practice is led by Michael Scott, who advises across asset classes on large-scale developments. James Ward brings experience in local, state, and federal permitting matters, while Valerie Moore is a key contact for navigating complex regulatory and compliance issues.

 

Sullivan & Worcester LLP advises a broad client base on the full range of land use and environmental matters, including planning and zoning, environmental impact reviews, historic preservation, coastal zone management, and brownfield redevelopment. The team also represents clients in administrative enforcement actions and land use litigation. Ashley Brooks leads the broader real estate practice, while Gregory Sampson heads the permitting & land use group, bringing experience in planning, permitting, and developing contaminated properties and renewable energy projects. Ashley Tan regularly advises on complex title issues and represents clients before zoning and licensing boards in Eastern Massachusetts. All aforementioned attorneys are based in Boston.

Troutman Pepper Locke LLP advises multinational corporations on a broad range of land use matters, with particular strength in large-scale mixed-use developments. The team is adept at securing public incentives and optimising entitlement strategies for complex projects. The wider real estate practice is led byAustin-based Tai Tran and Atlanta-based Anthony Greene. Also in Atlanta, Jessica Hill regularly advises developers and property owners on entitlement issues, including rezoning applications, land use plan amendments, and special use permits. New Jersey–based Thomas Letizia represents developers and energy and pharmaceutical companies before municipal, county, and state regulatory boards on zoning, site plan, and environmental approval matters. Philadelphia-based David Tshudy is a licensed title agent with a strong transactional practice and experience appearing before relevant authorities.