Ben focuses his practice on real estate development, land use and zoning matters. He regularly represents clients in connection with the acquisition, financing, development, construction, marketing, sale, and management of real property. He also assists clients with the formation and negotiation of partnerships, limited liability companies, and other business organizations for real estate investors.

Ben regularly represents and assists property owners and developers before local government planners, governing boards, planning boards, and boards of adjustment in connection with zoning, site plan, and variance related matters, and during all permitting and enforcement stages of development, including real estate and land use litigation.

Ben is the founding member and current board member of the Real Estate Lawyers Association of North Carolina, the largest active trade association dedicated to advocation on behalf of real estate attorneys and our clients across the state.

Ben and his wife Emily have two children, Walker and Harper, and he is an avid HO scale model railroad enthusiast.

Representation

Represent developers acquiring property for the development of high profile commercial projects in Raleigh, Wake County and across North Carolina.

Work on rezoning cases for property owners and developers to increase density and/or permit uses not previously allowed by existing zoning.

Regularly represent clients in contested variance matters and land use related disputes including litigation before local boards and in courts across North Carolina.

Represent interest groups in support of and in opposition to rezoning cases, and/or special or conditional use permit applications.

Represent clients in title and easement disputes including quiet title actions.

Represent homeowners associations and property owners in connection with HOA and related property and land use disputes.

“Character and reputation are earned through years of fidelity to principle, superior product and dedicated service. That’s why clients trust me with their most significant investments and legal matters.”

More About Ben

Education & Admissions

Education
Temple University School of Law – JD 1996
University of North Carolina, Charlotte – BA 1992

Admissions
North Carolina 1997
Virginia 2019
US District Courts for Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina
US Circuit Court of Appeals – 4th Circuit

Professional Affiliations

North Carolina Bar Association

  • Real Estate and Zoning and Land Use Sections
  • Real Property Section Consumer Protection Attorney 2005-19

Wake County Bar Association & 10th Judicial District Bar Association

Wake County Real Property Lawyers Association

Past President 2013

Real Estate Lawyers Association of North Carolina

Founding Member, Board of Directors 2010-16, 2021-22; Past President 2011-12

Honors & Awards

AV Preeminent® Peer Rating
Martindale-Hubbell®

Best Lawyers in America®
Real Estate Law since 2013
Land Use & Zoning since 2020
Real Estate Litigation since 2021

Adam W. Foodman Leadership Award 2014
Real Estate Lawyers Association of North Carolina

For methodology see www.martindale.com
For methodology see www.bestlawyers.com

Super Lawyers
Top 100 Lawyers in North Carolina, 2022-24
North Carolina edition in Real Estate, 2017-present

Legal Elite
Business North Carolina magazine
Real Estate Law 2020-24

Power List 2022, Real Estate Law
NC Lawyers Weekly magazine, by nomination

Wake County Real Property Lawyers Association
Leadership Award 2013

 

For methodology see www.superlawyers.com
For methodology see www.businessnc.com