Top best Housing lawyers in zip 21204 - Maryland

Firm: Smith Gildea & Schmidt LLC

600 Washington Avenue , Towson , Maryland 21204

Practice Areas: Appellate , Civil , Election Campaign & Political , Housing , Real Estate , Zoning, Planning & Land Use, Land Use & Zoning, Land Use & Zoning

David K. Gildea, the managing partner of the firm, practices in the area of real estate development, land use and zoning. His practice area includes all jurisdictions in Maryland, with a focus on the Baltimore Metropolitan Area.. Mr. Gildea has represented entities ranging from large federal agencies to NYSE traded homebuilders and REITs to local land developers and retailers in obtaining development and entitlement approvals.  The types of projects Mr. Gildea has been involved in range from large town center mixed-use development, urban redevelopment efforts, large residential developments, hotels, hospitals, medical office buildings, apartment buildings,  multi-story office buildings, grocery-anchored retail centers, retirement communities, home improvement centers, industrial warehouses, fuel service stations, storage facilities, and a vast myriad of other uses.  Mr. Gildea has been involved in many large-scale projects in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and is knowledgeable about the Growth Allocation process and obtaining approvals in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area.  Mr. Gildea has also been involved in many rezonings and Planned Unit Developments (“PUDs”) throughout the State of Maryland, most notably in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area.. Mr. Gildea has strong relationships with local and State governmental agencies involved in the regulatory/entitlement process.  Mr. Gildea routinely resolves issues involving the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland Department of Transportation, particularly with the State Highway Administration (“SHA”).. Mr. Gildea prides himself in working with both governmental agencies and community associations in a collaborative fashion. Mr. Gildea routinely works extensively with various stakeholders prior to commencing the development review process to resolve potential issues at the beginning of the process, rather than at the middle.  As a result, Mr. Gildea has been able to obtain numerous regulatory approvals for projects, while managing to have a small percentage of approvals appealed.  Mr. Gildea works to put projects in the ground, rather than in the courts, and always with a view towards gaining approvals in an expeditious manner.. Mr. Gildea has served on three Transition Teams. In 2002, Mr. Gildea served on Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith's Transition Team as the Chairman of the DEPRM, PDM and DPW Workgroup. In 2006, Mr. Gildea served on Governor Martin O'Malley's transition team as a member of the Environmental Workgroup. Mr. Gildea also served on Attorney General Douglas Gansler's Transition Team as the Co-Chair of the Environmental Workgroup.. Mr. Gildea received his J.D. degree from the University of Baltimore (cum laude), his B.A. degree from Washington and Lee University (cum laude) and his diploma from St. Paul's School for Boys in Baltimore, Maryland (cum laude). After passing the bar, he was the law clerk for the Honorable James T. Smith, Jr. in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County.

Firm: Smith, Gildea & Schmidt, LLC

600 Washington Avenue , Towson , Maryland 21204

Practice Areas: Appellate , Civil , Estate Planning, Housing , Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate , Zoning, Planning & Land Use, Appeals, Appeals

A principal of the firm, Lawrence E. Schmidt has been a practicing attorney and a member of the Bar for 35 years. His practice primarily focuses on land use matters, including zoning, development, historic preservation and environmental issues and related litigation. He has appeared in various courts through the state, including the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland. Mr. Schmidt also has significant experience in representing clients before State and local administrative agencies and tribunals.. Prior to joining Smith, Gildea & Schmidt, LLC, Mr. Schmidt served as Zoning Commissioner (Hearing Officer) of Baltimore County, Maryland. His tenure as Zoning Commissioner for over 13 years (1991-2004) represents the longest period of service of any individual ever in that position. Mr. Schmidt also served on the Baltimore County Board of Appeals for 5 years during the 1980s. All told, he has personally adjudicated over 3,000 cases involving complex land use issues.. Mr. Schmidt is a 1975 graduate of Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College). He received his J.D. degree from the University of Baltimore. He has extensively lectured regarding land use issues and has authored published articles regarding historic preservation in Maryland and administrative practice. He is also a member of the Maryland State Bar Association and Baltimore County Bar Association, and previously served as a member of the MSBA's Board of Governors.. In addition to his legal endeavors, Mr. Schmidt has participated in numerous volunteer activities. He is currently a member of the Board of Education for Baltimore County, and served as its President from 2011 through 2014. Mr. Schmidt has also served as President of the Greater Towson Committee and was also an active member of the Lutherville – Timonium Recreation Council. He is also a board member of the Baltimore County Chapter of the Maryland Building Industry Association (formerly known as the Home Builders Association of Maryland), and has lent his expertise to many other advisory groups and organizations including serving as President of the Greater Towson Committee, Builders for the Bay and similar organizations.