Top best Land Use Lawyers in Bethesda | 37 available

William Kominers, a land use attorney at Lerch, Early & Brewer in Bethesda, Maryland, navigates governmental processes to help companies use their properties. He practices in the areas of land use, land development, zoning, real estate, administrative and municipal law. He also is engaged in aspects of development projects such as density limitations, traffic mitigation and plan enforcement.. For more than 30 years, Bill has represented developers and businesses (particularly biotech companies) before courts and administrative agencies in Maryland and the District of Columbia in proceedings involving rezoning, master plan amendments, subdivisions, adequate public facilities examinations, site plan reviews, special exceptions, variance and building and occupancy permits. He has particular experience representing large-scale mixed-use developments through the full range of planning, zoning and regulatory processes. He also represents large office and industrial parks in general land use and legislative matters, including master planning, text amendments and zoning and regulatory appeals. His training as an architect allows him to communicate with planners and designers on details from lot layouts to building design.. Bill also has extensive experience with urban development projects, particularly using optional zoning tools for increased densities and negotiation of design and amenities in the regulatory process. He has managed these projects in the central business districts of Bethesda, Silver Spring and Friendship Heights.. Bill’s approach, which has been an integral part of his success, is: “Do what you say you are going to do.  Keep your commitments.  Listen.  Be fair.  Respect relationships. Don’t dismiss crazy ideas.”  He brings this philosophy, a deep understanding of development and political processes, an analytic mind and a sense of humor to each project.. On the residential side, Bill has worked with owners, developers and builder associations in a variety of projects, from large apartments to modest townhomes.. Bill received his Bachelor of Science and his Bachelor of Architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, and his Juris Doctor with honors from The George Washington University School of Law. Prior to joining Lerch Early, he was a partner in the Montgomery County office of a national D.C. law firm and in other Montgomery County land use firms for more than 30 years. He is admitted to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia.. Bill has been listed in Chambers USA for Real Estate: Land Use every year since 2008, and has appeared in the Best Lawyers in America and the Maryland and D.C. issues of Super Lawyers every year since 2007. He has served as an occasional guest lecturer at the Catholic University Planning School and as an associate professional lecturer in law at The George Washington University Law School. He is involved in many professional and community organizations, including currently serving as chair of the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce and on the board of ScienceMontgomery.. Bill and his wife Ellen grew up in Montgomery County, and are graduates of Walt Whitman High School, as are their two grown sons, who collaborate with one another in mathematics and economics research. For 40 years, Bill has played bridge with a group of fellow Whitman alums. When not playing a trump card, Bill enjoys skiing and military history.

Susan Reutershan is a land use attorney at Lerch, Early & Brewer in Bethesda, Maryland who has extensive experience in representing commercial and residential developers, individual landowners, corporations, nonprofits and biotechnology companies in all phases of land use and development throughout Maryland.. Susan draws upon her comprehensive knowledge and experience to counsel clients in complex and sophisticated land use matters and to provide sound and practical legal advice. Her representation includes rezonings, special use permits, variances, preliminary subdivision plans, comprehensive sketch plans, project plans, site plans, historic preservation issues, building and occupancy permits, impact fees, water and sewer category changes, master plans, annexations, vested rights, adequacy of public facilities and zoning text amendments.. She represents clients before various administrative bodies in Maryland at the state, county and municipal levels, and in appellate proceedings before Maryland Circuit Courts and Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals and Court of Appeals.. After earning her Bachelor of Arts with high honors from the University of Rhode Island, Susan relocated to the Washington metropolitan area and attended the Washington College of Law of American University, where she received her Juris Doctor. She began her legal career at a land use law firm in Montgomery County, where she practiced for many years as a partner and an associate. Immediately prior to joining Lerch Early, she served as senior counsel in the Montgomery County office of a downtown D.C. law firm. She is admitted to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia.. Susan has appeared on numerous local seminar panels and has been a panelist at the National Association of Homebuilders’ national convention. She has served as an occasional guest lecturer at the Washington College of Law. She is a board member of Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County and of Maryland Suburban Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) and she also is active in the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce and the Maryland Building Industry Association.. A native of Rhode Island, Susan enjoys swimming, reading, playing word games and traveling with her husband and two adult sons.

Steven Robins is a land use attorney at Lerch, Early & Brewer in Bethesda, Maryland who represents prominent national and regional developers, contractors, lenders and commercial property owners and has been involved in many high-visibility projects in Montgomery County.. Steve advises clients on complex zoning map and text amendments, optional method of development applications, master plan amendments, comprehensive land use planning and zoning analyses, special exception and variance applications, preliminary and final plans of subdivisions, site plan review, condemnation matters, historic preservation and urban renewal issues, transit-oriented smart growth development, and on all aspects of the regulatory permitting and licensing process.. Many transit-oriented, smart growth, mixed-use projects that are shaping the future development of Montgomery County have benefited from Steve’s legal guidance, such as Wisconsin Place in Friendship Heights, North Bethesda Market in White Flint, Grosvenor Village and the current redevelopment of Wheaton, including the new Safeway and the MetroPointe community.. Steve has earned a reputation among his clients as a lawyer who is available to them 24/7 and who is committed to their success. Passionate and results-oriented, he has earned the respect of county officials as well as clients for his effective counsel and lobbying. He is admitted to practice law in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia.. Steve recently was named the region's “Top Lawyer for Land Use and Zoning” by the Washington Business Journal for his work in transit-oriented development. He also is listed in the current edition of Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, for his work in the area of land use and zoning law. He has been recognized by the publication every year since 2007.. Steve serves on the Maryland Building Industry Association board of directors. He also serves on the Montgomery County Executive’s Smart Growth Task Force, and often lectures on smart growth and other related topics at Georgetown University Law Center and other forums. Since 2001, Steve has chaired the Montgomery County Public Safety Awards. He also is active in the Urban Land Institute. He is a life board member of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and formerly served as its board chair. Steve is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery. He also served as counselor to the board of the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington and as president of the Ring House, a senior housing facility.  Steve received one of the Washington Hebrew Congregation's Avodah Honors Awards, given to congregants who represent the true meaning of “avodah” - good deeds in the form of service and work - both within the Temple and the greater Washington community. In addition, the Daily Record gave Steve its annual Leadership in Law award in recognition of his contribution to the community.. Steve received his Bachelor of Science, with distinction, from the University of Michigan and earned his Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center.. A dedicated sports fan, Steve has a particular passion for his alma mater, the University of Michigan Wolverines, as well as for the Washington Redskins and Capitals.

Stacy Plotkin Silber is a land use attorney at Lerch, Early & Brewer in Bethesda, Maryland whose practice focuses on land use and zoning issues in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. She helps clients navigate the complexities of securing approvals for their projects at the local and state levels of government. Her clients include developers with mixed-use, office, retail and residential projects, as well as private schools.. Stacy’s experience includes master planning, zoning, rezoning, project plans, site plans, subdivisions, historic preservation, affordable housing matters, transferrable development rights, legislative matters, special exceptions and variances. One client refers to her as “Madame Ambassador” because of her firm but respectful way of advocating for her clients and building coalitions, when appropriate.. Stacy’s first step in any case is to ask the client about the company’s goals and expectations. By undertaking an analysis of each client’s current situation, needs and objectives, Stacy helps develop and implement strategies to pursue efficient and effective public approvals. She acts as an advisor and tenacious advocate from the very beginning of the development stage of a project, helping clients avoid potential hurdles during the course of the approval process. Clients describe her as indispensable. They often trust her as their outside general counsel, asking her to serve as a kind of quarterback when other legal needs arise.. Stacy received her Bachelor of Arts from Emory University and her Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law.  Prior to joining Lerch Early, she was a partner in the Montgomery County office of a global law firm. She is admitted to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia.. In addition to her private practice, Stacy is an adjunct professor at The George Washington University Law School, where she teaches a class on land use and historic preservation. She is listed in the Maryland and D.C. editions of Super Lawyers.. Stacy is the founding Chair of the Maryland/DC Chapter of NAIOP’s Leadership Committee, a committee that connects NAIOP, a commercial real estate development association, to governmental leaders in Montgomery County and the State.   She also serves on NAIOP’s Sustainable Development Committee.  Stacy is a member of BB&T’s Advisory Board, and serves on the North Bethesda Transportation Management District Advisory Committee.. Stacy also is active in the community. She is passionate about the need for affordable housing in Montgomery County, and for seven years, she served on the board of the Montgomery Housing Partnership, a nonprofit that provides affordable housing and support for working families; she chaired the board for two years.  Stacy currently serves as a trustee for the National Center for Children and Families, and serves on the Josiah Henson Park Planning Committee (Uncle Tom’s Cabin), which is part of the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program.  Stacy also serves as a co-chair of the Boys and Girls Club Annual Real Estate Luncheon.. For recreation, Stacy enjoys playing tennis, running, reading presidential biographies and attending minor league baseball games at the Potomac Nationals.

Elizabeth Geare is a land use attorney at Lerch, Early & Brewer in Bethesda, Maryland who helps clients secure zoning approvals in Montgomery County. She has worked on projects for developers of mixed-use, commercial and residential buildings, educational institutions, religious organizations and individual property owners. Liz has provided assistance to clients through many stages of the development process, starting with gathering information, through zoning feasibility and due diligence, and working throughout the process of obtaining various development and administrative approvals, such as site plans, special exceptions and variances. She also has experience working on real estate matters involving easements, leases, subdivision approvals and deeds.. Liz's background in community planning and interior design allows her to understand the planning process and technical details of construction and design so she can communicate effectively with project members like architects and engineers.. Liz received her Bachelor of Science summa cum laude and her Master of Community Planning summa cum laude from Auburn University in Alabama. She received her Juris Doctor from The George Washington University School of Law, where she was a Dean's Fellow. Liz is admitted to practice in Maryland. Prior to joining Lerch Early, Liz was a law clerk at a prominent Virginia land use law firm.. Liz, who was born and raised in Arizona, is an avid runner who has run several half-marathons in the Washington, DC area. She also enjoys traveling because she loves experiencing different cultures and exploring art and architecture around the world.

Christopher Ruhlen is a land use attorney at Lerch, Early & Brewer in Bethesda, Maryland, who focuses on land use, zoning, real estate and related governmental issues. Chris assists national and local real estate developers, property owners, commercial tenants and small businesses with a full range of planning, zoning and regulatory matters.. Chris’s experience includes handling complex matters before the Montgomery County Planning Board, the Montgomery County Board of Appeals, and the City of Rockville and City of Gaithersburg Planning Commissions. He provides clients with the information they need to navigate the processes for subdivision and site plan approvals, special exceptions, local map amendments, zoning text amendments and building permits, and takes care of the myriad details involved in obtaining entitlements and other approvals from local administrative boards and commissions. In addition, Chris is conversant in green building practices and the LEED building certification process, and is designated as a U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED® AP).. He also represents commercial property owners throughout Maryland in reviewing, analyzing and obtaining reductions in real estate tax assessments. Pragmatic and personable, Chris provides thoughtful, dependable advice concerning real estate assessments for office, retail, mixed-use and other properties.. Super Lawyers has listed Chris as a "Rising Star" in land use and zoning.. Chris received his Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from American University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in Maryland. Prior to joining Lerch Early, Chris practiced in the Montgomery County office of a national law firm based in Washington, D.C. He is a member of the board of directors and executive committee of the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce, and is active in the Urban Land Institute and the Maryland Building Industry Association.. Chris, a busy father of three young daughters, is an ardent music fan and record collector. He loves to barbecue, and can often be found at the grill, listening to John Coltrane, Tom Waits, Wilco or The Blasters

Experienced Land Use attorney serving clients in Bethesda and surrounding areas.

Experienced Land Use attorney serving clients in Bethesda and surrounding areas.