Baltimore Zoning and Land Use Lawyers

Experienced Zoning Attorney Representing Developers in Baltimore, MD

During real estate development projects, the parties involved may encounter multiple types of legal issues. These may be related to zoning and land use laws that could affect the development of properties and their use for specific business activities. Developers may also become involved in disputes with construction companies or other parties involved in projects. At Silverman Thompson, our real estate lawyers can provide representation in litigation addressing these issues, working to protect our clients' rights and interests.

Zoning and Land Use

Our land use and zoning attorneys represent a wide range of clients, from individual property owners to Fortune 500 companies. We help clients navigate the complex entitlement process for a diverse mix of real estate development projects and zoning matters.

Successful development projects will require timely authorization of various approvals and the assurance of regulatory compliance. Issues related to zoning boards, planning agencies, legislative bodies, community groups, and state and federal regulators can lead to challenges that may affect the development process. Our attorneys regularly handle cases involving government agencies, courts, and legislative bodies in Baltimore and the surrounding area, helping clients address those challenges.

Our zoning and land use practice group is led by Joseph R. Woolman, III and Avery Strachan. Ms. Strachan is a former member of the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals for Baltimore City, and Mr. Woolman has over 25 years of experience as a leading land use attorney in Baltimore. Our team has handled land use matters that were heard by the Appellate Court of Maryland, and Mr. Woolman was one of the founders of the Baltimore Development Workgroup (BDW) in 2008.

Our land use and zoning practice can address issues including, but not limited to:

• Rezoning and other legislative authorizations
• Conditional use approvals
• Variance approvals
• Subdivision approvals
• Architectural and design authorizations
• Historic preservation matters

We regularly represent clients before the following:

• The Baltimore City Council
• The Baltimore City Planning Commission
• The Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals for Baltimore City
• The Baltimore City Commission for Historic and Architectural Preservation
• The Baltimore City Control Board
• The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City

Construction Litigation

Silverman Thompson regularly represents owners, developers, construction managers, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, sureties, and insurers in matters related to construction, including:

• Contract drafting and negotiation
• Procurement advice
• Bid disputes
• Contract disputes
• Delay and acceleration claims
• Construction defects and losses
• Breach of warranty claims

Our construction attorneys help clients avoid disputes, promote positive on-site relationships, and maintain profitability. When disputes arise, however, our construction litigators have extensive experience mediating, litigating, and arbitrating all forms of construction-related claims, including:

• Default and termination, payment, and delay claims
• Faulty workmanship
• Negligent design
• Scheduling and draw schedule disputes
• Mechanic's lien and bond claims
• Miller Act and Little Miller Act claims
• Insurance and coverage disputes
• Change orders and cost overruns
• Substantial completion disputes

In addition to our pre-construction transactional experience, we litigate construction-related disputes in state and federal courts and arbitration throughout the country.

Some of our representative cases involving construction litigation include:

• Representation of the owner of a high-profile mixed-use development project in a professional malpractice case against the project's engineer/architect, resulting in a $120 million award
• Numerous representations of general contractors in mechanic's lien actions and bond claims involving millions of dollars
• Successful mediation on behalf of a subcontractor in a delay claim dispute involving millions of dollars
• Representation during the negotiation of a master developer agreement, helping minority-owners protect their rights during the largest public-private development project in the history of Maryland
• Representation in a four-day arbitration in which we obtained all monetary relief sought in a breach of contract action by a subcontractor against a general contractor, while achieving a complete defense verdict against all counterclaims

Contact Our Baltimore, Maryland Zoning, Land Use, and Construction Lawyers

Legal representation can be crucial during real estate development projects. At Silverman Thompson, we can help clients receive approval for projects while ensuring that they follow the applicable zoning and land use laws. We can also help resolve complex disputes related to construction work, ensuring that our clients' rights and interests will be protected. Contact our Baltimore construction, zoning, and land use attorneys at 410-385-2225 to arrange a consultation.