Zoning and Land Use Law and Litigation

• Makes regular appearances in state and federal court on behalf of land owners and local governments arguing issues such as vested rights, constitutional matters, zoning ordinance interpretations, variances, annexations, special uses, site plans, subdivisions, and rezonings
• Represents commercial and residential developers in obtaining or opposing local government decisions relating to zoning, permitting, variances, annexations, special use permits, site plans, subdivisions and road closings
• Represents clients before local Boards of Adjustment, City Councils, County Commissioners and other local elected bodies
• Represents property owners in matters such as easement disputes, title disputes, adverse possession, restrictive covenants, zoning issues and property line disputes
• Represents parties making or opposing applications for local and national historic district designations
• Advises local governmental officials, bodies and boards on zoning amendments and zoning decisions

Recent client representations include:

• One of the nation’s largest aggregate companies in obtaining local permits, zoning, and litigation matters
• A major mobile home park developer in litigation involving subdivision approval
• Several landfill companies in obtaining local permits and litigation involving vested rights and constitutional claims
• A commercial real estate developer working on a multi-parcel tract to become a major shopping center
• Several resort-based municipalities in issues regarding signage, lodging, retail zoning, and mobile home and RV park placement, and zoning ordinance interpretations
• Several coastal municipalities and counties in issues regarding development approval and regulation of waterways

Coleman v. Town of Hillsborough, 2005 N.C. App. Lexis 2117, 619 S.E.2d 555 (2005)

Browing-Ferris Industries v. Wake County, 905 F. Supp. 312 (E.C.N.C 1995)

Town of Ayden v. Town of Winterville, 143 N.C. App. 136, S44 S.E.2d 821 (2001)

Kirkpatrick v. Pinehurst Village Council, 138 N.C. App. 79, 530 SE 2d 338 (2000)

Huntington Properties, LLC v. Currituck County, 153 N.C. App. 218, 569 S.E.2d 695 (2002)

Member of North Carolina Board of Law Examiners 1998-2007;  Emeritus Member since 2007

Full Member, Urban Land Institute

Frequent lecturer and presenter on North Carolina Zoning and Land Use Issues to attorney, municipal, and educational audiences

Law Clerk to the Honorable Franklin T. Dupree, Jr., U.S. District Court Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina, 1990-91

Co-Chair, Ethics Committee, Land Use Section of the NC Bar Association

Notable Accomplishments

Selected by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business as one of North Carolina's Top Zoning/Land Use Attorneys

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (Land Use & Zoning Law), 2008