Land Use & Zoning

Having tried several hundred cases, I can certainly argue any set of facts; after more than 20 years in practice, I am confident that I know evidence and the law; but as you can see from my background - I also know most of the players. This combination has provided my clients with consistently successful and outstanding results. I have been a resident of Western Massachusetts for my entire life. After serving as a prosecutor in Hampshire County, I was recruited to work in the litigation department of one of the most prestigious firms in Springfield. I handled a wide array of civil and criminal litigation as the lead counsel. Due to my hard work, I was one of the two youngest persons to be voted partner in this almost Century old firm. I was chosen to serve for many years on the firm's three-member Executive Committee. In late 2012, I left to start my own firm. When clients were contacted, all but one of the several hundred clients' files that I was working on chose to move their cases to my firm. That same year, I had been elected to serve as the President of the Hampden County Bar Association, which has over 900 members. I am continuously rated a 10 and receive awards for customer satisfaction on AVVO.com. I can help you navigate any of the courts located in Western Massachusetts. I am also licensed in the (federal) US District Court for Massachusetts.

John M. Jorgensen is a fourth generation Floridian, who earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1982 from the University of Florida. Mr. Jorgensen joined Scott, Harris in 1982, and became a shareholder in 1992. He is currently the President and managing shareholder of the firm. He practices in the areas of civil litigation and trials, with emphasis on real property and business disputes, construction and land use litigation, landlord-tenant both commercial and residential, foreclosures, contract disputes, and appellate practice. He has over 40 years of civil litigation and trial experience, all of them with Scott/Harris. Mr. Jorgensen is a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, and represents clients in both state and federal courts throughout south Florida. He has done well over 100 civil trials in his career. Mr. Jorgensen has served as President of the North County Section of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, and was also a member of the Association’s Board of Directors. He also served as chair of the Palm Beach County Land Use Advisory Board. He has received the highest AV rating by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.

A FOUNDING PARTNER of the Los Angeles-based law firm Solomon Saltsman & Jamieson (SSJLaw), Stephen A. Jamieson is recognized as a leader in the areas of land use and zoning, alcoholic beverage licensing, compliance and disciplinary actions, government relations, and business and personal-injury litigation, both for the defense and for the plaintiff. He is licensed to represent clients in California, Michigan and Wisconsin, and has extensive experience working with all sizes of companies, from Fortune 100 publicly-traded corporations to stand-alone businesses. Mr. Jamieson is admitted to practice law before the State Courts in California, Michigan and Wisconsin as well as the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the U.S. Federal Claims Court, and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central and Southern Districts of California. He is also a member of the Intertribal Court of Southern California. Mr. Jamieson is rated AV® Preeminent with Martindale-Hubbell, a designation reserved for lawyers of the highest legal ability and outstanding legal ethics. His peers have voted him one of Best Lawyers® in America and rated him 10/10 on AVVO. Mr. Jamieson has also been honored by SuperLawyer as the top 1% of lawyers in Land Use/Zoning for each of the last 18 years. The National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals (NALCP) has recognized and honored Mr. Jamieson for his ongoing and exceptional commitment to his clients, awarding him the Most Valuable Associate Member Award in 2018. Mr. Jamieson is also an active thought leader in the legal community and a Strategic Thought Partner for SSJLaw’s clients. He has made numerous presentations before the West Coast Franchise Owners Association (WCFOA), the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA), and NALCP. He has contributed articles in the Daily Journal, the Advocate, and many other publications. Mr. Jamieson and his partners at SSJLaw wrote the handbook on alcoholic beverage control regulation. For over three decades, SSJLaw has prevailed in thousands of matters for its clients before Administrative Law Judges, ABC Appeals Boards, Superior Courts, Federal District Courts, Courts of Appeal, and the California State Supreme Court. Of particular note, SSJLaw obtained a unanimous decision by the California Supreme Court which determined that the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) violated the constitutionally-protected rights of alcoholic beverage retailers. This decision led to the dismissal of approximately 125 cases then-pending before various administrative agencies and courts. SSJLaw provides representation in California, Oregon, Washington, Michigan, Wisconsin and Alaska. Mr. Jamieson is an avid sailor, competing throughout the United States, and enjoys hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains with family and friends.

Originally from Colorado, Cory completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Utah State University before moving on to the University of Utah for law school. She enjoys using her education and experience to help others in the Tooele community. Cory has practiced in numerous areas, including real estate, construction defect, constitutional law, family law, and more. Recently, Cory has enjoyed narrowing her practice areas to estate planning, personal injury, and public defense. Over the past few years, Cory has become even more passionate about protecting the rights of disadvantaged members of her community and has focused her criminal practice on public defense. Cory genuinely enjoys her work as the Tooele County Managing Defender and her role in elevating defense resources for all persons charged with a crime.

Richard W. LeBlancq is a partner in Harwood Lloyd’s Commercial Department concentrating in acquisitions and dispositions of commercial real estate, commercial leasing, real estate lending, workouts, closely-held businesses, land use and development, and real estate tax appeals. Mr. LeBlancq has been with Harwood Lloyd since 1984. Mr. LeBlancq received his B.A. in American Studies from the University of Notre Dame in 1973. He received his J.D. from Seton Law School in 1981. Mr. LeBlancq was appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court to serve on the Bergen County District IIB Fee Arbitration Committee, and served as the Chairman of Bergen County District IIB Fee Arbitration Committee. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Allendale Sports Alliance. He served as counsel to the Northeast Jersey Bankers Association from 1990-1999. Mr. LeBlancq is admitted to practice before the courts of the State of New Jersey (1982) and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (1982). Mr. LeBlancq is a member of the Hudson-Bergen Inn of Transactional Counsel. Mr. LeBlancq is a member of the Bergen County Bar Association.

Allyson M. Kasetta is Counsel with Harwood Lloyd’s Commercial Department, specializing in land use, development, redevelopment and permitting matters. She regularly represents developers and property owners in all aspects of the development process, including appeals to the Superior Court of New Jersey, and has a thorough knowledge of the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law. With prior experience representing municipal planning and zoning boards, Ms. Kasetta has a unique perspective on the interactions between developers and the approving authorities, as well as a familiarity with the practices and procedures of many different municipalities. Ms. Kasetta received her B.S. in Administration of Justice from Rutgers University – New Brunswick in 2000 and her J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law – Newark in 2009. Ms. Kasetta is admitted to practice in New Jersey and New York. Ms. Kasetta is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Bergen County Bar Association, and Commercial Real Estate Women of New Jersey (CREWNJ). She has been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers® Magazine (2018-2019). The selections for this list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters, Legal division based in Egan, MN. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers undertakes a multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check. The decisions made by Super Lawyers have not been approved by the New Jersey Supreme Court. Ms. Kasetta has also been recognized as a Top Attorney by New Jersey Monthly Magazine (2019) and as a Top Attorney by the Top 100 Magazine (2022). Ms. Kasetta has presented in various continuing education seminars and has authored an article published in the New Jersey Law Journal entitled “Public Access Requirements Along NJ Waterfront Remain Murky” (June 2016).

John W. McDermott is a Co-Managing Partner of Harwood Lloyd, LLP. Mr. McDermott has engaged in all aspects of commercial transactions and litigation including but not limited to real estate, loans, mortgage foreclosures, fraud, land use and zoning. He is presently spearheading the development of the firm’s new Cannabis Law practice group. Mr. McDermott received his B.S. in Economics, magna cum laude, from St. Peter’s College in 2003. He received his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in 2008. While at Seton Hall, Mr. McDermott was a member of the Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Board and aided in drafting semester assignments which highlighted current discrepancies in federal appellate circuit court decisions. Additionally, Mr. McDermott authored, “Growth Attenuation in the Profoundly Developmentally Disabled: A therapeutic Option or a Socioeconomic Convenience” which was published in the Seton Hall Legislative Journal. Mr. McDermott clerked for the Hon. Mark M. Russello, Judge, Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Bergen County. Prior to joining Harwood Lloyd, Mr. McDermott worked for a Fortune 100 Company in Manhattan. He is actively involved in the community and has participated in and arranged various pro bono projects. Mr. McDermott is admitted to practice before the courts of the State of New Jersey (2008), the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (2008), and the courts of the State of New York (2009). Mr. McDermott was appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court and is currently Vice Chair of the District IIB Ethics Committee. He was also previously appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court to serve on the New Jersey Fee Arbitration Committee where he served as Vice Chairman of the Bergen County District Fee Arbitration Committee. Mr. McDermott has been named by New Jersey Super Lawyers® magazine as one of the top attorneys in New Jersey for 2018. The selections for this list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters, Legal division based in Egan, MN. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers undertakes a multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check. The decisions made by Super Lawyers have not been approved by the New Jersey Supreme Court. Mr. McDermott has been named by Best Lawyers in America as one of America’s Best Attorneys for Real Estate Law. Mr. McDermott is named in New Jersey Monthly Magazine as one of New Jersey’s best attorneys.

Alan G. Philibosian is a Partner in Harwood Lloyd’s Commercial Department, concentrating his practice in real estate lending, commercial leasing, acquisitions and dispositions of commercial and residential real estate, and land use and development. Mr. Philibosian has represented national and local community banks in connection with real estate loan transactions. Mr. Philibosian received his BA in History, with high honors from Rutgers College in 1975. He was also elected a member of Phi Beta Kappa in 1975. Mr. Philibosian received his JD from Boston College Law School in 1978 and LLM in Taxation from New York University in 1979. He served as a Commissioner for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from January 1995 through January 2003. While at the Port Authority he was Chairman of the Audit Committee, Chairman of the Construction Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Finance Committee and as a Member of the World Trade Center Sub-Committee and Special Sub-Committee on Security. During his tenure at Port Authority he also served on the Operations Committee, Capital Programs and Port Planning and the Business Opportunity Committee and Goals and Objectives Sub-Committee. Mr. Philibosian previously served as a Board Member of Mack Cali Realty Corporation (CLI), a national real estate investment trust, listed on the New York Stock Exchange from 1997 – 2019 (now known as Veris Residential). He served as a member of the Executive Compensation and Option Committee (of which he previously served as Chairman) and as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. He also served as counsel to the Haworth Planning Board from 2002-2008. Mr. Philibosian previously served as a member of the Board of Directors and currently serves on the Budget Finance, and Endowment Committees of the Armenian Missionary Association of America in Paramus, New Jersey, and as a member of the Board of Elders of the Armenian Presbyterian Church in Paramus New Jersey.

For over 40 years, Attorney Paul F. Wieneskie has successfully represented clients across Texas in civil appeals, municipal disputes, land use cases, and economic development matters. He is dedicated to protecting the rights of private citizens in legal challenges involving local governments, zoning, and property issues.

Anthony (“Tony”) P. Pires, Jr. is a partner at Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A. in the Naples office. He provides legal services to clients throughout Collier and Lee Counties in Local Government Law, Municipal Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Land Use Applications, Rezonings, Bond Validation, and Administrative Law. His decades of experience and extensive knowledge of the history and development of Collier County enable him to use his unique insight to solve problems elegantly and efficiently. Tony serves as long-standing general counsel to various Florida community development districts (CDDs) and as special counsel to various county constitutional officers. His exceptional knowledge of Southwest Florida’s growth and development and his legal expertise allow him to guide public and private clients through complicated land use, local government, and real estate matters. Tony’s law practice showcases his tireless dedication to public service and client relationships. Tony has been a Board Certified Specialist (B.C.S.) in City, County and Local Government Law by The Florida Bar for over 25 years since 1998. He is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™, a rating given to only attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards by their peers. Previously, Tony was Assistant County Attorney, 1979-1981; Assistant State Attorney, Twentieth Judicial Circuit, 1975-1979 & 1981 – 1983; and with Westinghouse Communities of Naples, Inc., 1983 – 1986.