Who are the “good attorneys for those concerned about proposed development and other projects posing a threat to neighborhoods or the environment?”

Well, in most states there are a handful of attorneys who specialize in representing those concerned about proposed development as opposed to applicant attorneys. While there is certainly nothing wrong with attorneys solely representing proposed development applicants, attorneys with extensive experience representing those of us concerned about growth can provide more effective representation which can mean a higher success rate at a lower cost. The higher success comes from employing the methods described at the CEDS Smart Legal Strategies webpage.

How To Connect With A Good Attorney?

Most of the Good Attorneys in the CEDS network have asked that we not publish their contact information. Instead, they prefer that prospective clients contact CEDS first. We then provide a summary of your case to each Good Attorney in your state to learn which may be available to assist you. Our summary is based on the CEDS Strategy Analysis described below.

How Does A CEDS Strategy Analysis Increase Success?

After learning more about your concerns, we will carry out the following strategy Analysis steps:

• Verify that each concern is likely to result if the project is built as proposed,
• We will identify other possible impacts such as those described in the CEDS Project Impact Assessment Checklist,
• Look for possible Equitable Solutions to resolve your concerns while allowing basically sound projects to proceed because it is far easier to modify a project than nix it,
• Determine the permits and other approvals a project requires,
• Assess which permit-approval provides the best opportunity to prevent adverse effects to you and your neighbors,
• Review the decision-making history of the officials who must act on each permit-approval to learn how to best structure your case to maximize the likelihood of success,
• Email a case summary based on this research to each Good Attorney in your state then discuss the case in detail with those who respond to our email, then
• Recommend the attorney(s) you may wish to consider retaining and provide you with their preliminary assessment of the likelihood of success and costs, and
• Participate in an initial discussion with you and the attorney(s) you prefer so you can then make a decision about whom you wish to retain.

Of course we will not commit you to paying any attorney fees.

The fee for the CEDS Strategy Analysis outlined above is $1,000. To learn more  contact CEDS at 410-654-3021 or Help@ceds.org.

How Many CEDS Good Attorneys Are In Your State?

Following is the number of attorneys listed in the CEDS Good Attorneys database for each state.

How Were the Good Attorneys Identified?

CEDS asked environmental, land preservation, and related groups in each state to recommend attorneys with a good reputation for representing those concerned about proposed development projects. CEDS has worked with many of these attorneys to win cases involving warehouses, gas stations, and other proposed development. We have found that these attorneys have a better understanding of how to win zoning and land use cases and are generally more motivated to win. And since they, like CEDS, specialize in representing those with frequently limited budgets we’ve found ways of winning at lower cost.

What if you Cannot Afford an Attorney?

If you cannot afford an attorney then try doing an internet search using the name of your state and “law clinic”.  Many university law schools have clinics that will help folks free of charge. However, since the number of requests always far exceed their capacity, do not give up. Instead, try all the law clinics in your state.

In addition, there are hundreds pro bono legal aid agencies nationwide. Again, try an internet search using the name of your state and “legal aid”.

Finally, we can help you tap local sources of funds using methods such as those described at: Funding the Good Fight.