Described as a “powerhouse zoning counsel,” DLA Piper LLP (US) advises clients nationwide on a broad range of transformative real estate projects, with particular expertise in data centers, stadiums, and large-scale mixed-use developments. In Northern Virginia, Antonio Calabrese regularly advises on hyperscale data center campuses and critical infrastructure projects. In California, Jerold Neuman develops entitlement strategies for office towers, hotels, and studio campuses, while Kyndra Joy Casper focuses on CEQA compliance and waterfront initiatives. Boston-based John Rattigan acts as counsel to developers, public agencies, and investors on the acquisition, development, sale, and leasing of large-scale projects. The firm’s Chicago team includes land-use and financing expert Paul Shadle, alongside entitlement and transaction specialists Mariah DiGrino and Katherine Jahnke Dale. Former practice leader Richard Klawiter retired in December 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Breadth of work. They are the powerhouse zoning counsel in Chicago.'
- 'Paul Shadle and Katie Jahnke Dale are exceptional.'
- 'DLA brings a regional/national perspective to local land use/zoning. Their experience across the country helps create better projects and teaming opportunities in Virginia.'
- 'The land use team at DLA Piper has a unique understanding of how politics are intertwined with land use in California. Many firms view it simply through a legal lens, which works for basic, non-controversial projects, but DLA's understanding of politics and how to use political tools allows them to craft and achieve creative solutions to problems that wouldn't even occur to others.'
- 'Jerry Neuman is one of the most creative land use attorneys in California, which enables him to find solutions to otherwise unsolvable problems. Kyndra Casper has a mastery of CEQA and a work ethic that creates an impenetrable shield for your project.'
- 'The team is unique in that they pair mastery of the subject matter with strong personal relationships with key decision makers within municipal government.'
- 'Great proactive and highly capable people with deep connections into the market on both the public and private side.'
- 'Extremely knowledgeable and well connected, definitely willing to go the extra mile and think outside the box. Jerry Neuman is our lead counsel and has been great at facilitating critical negotiations and meetings with various city agencies to advance a complex, multi-faceted project. I would not use anyone else in Los Angeles for this work.'
Key clients
- Related Midwest
- QTS
- Origami Capital Partners & Timberline Real Estate Partners
- Harridge Development Group, LLC
- Sterling Bay Companies
- Millennium Partners
- Trammell Crow Company
- Atlas Capital Group, LLC
- Tysons Development, LLC
- Hines Interests Limited Partnership
- The Macerich Company
- BARDAS Investment Group
- The Fallon Company
- Beth Israel Lahey Health System
- Active Infrastructure Data Centers
- Bradford Allen Investment Advisors
- HYM Investment Group, LLC, The
Work highlights
Advised Related Midwest on the acquisition, zoning, and public-private partnership structuring for the US$20 billion redevelopment of the former US Steel South Works site into the Quantum Shore innovation district in Chicago.
Advised the joint venture of Chirisa Technology Parks and PowerHouse Data Centers on structuring, entitlements, and power infrastructure for a US$5 billion hyperscale data center campus in Chesterfield County, Virginia.
Advised Beth Israel Lahey Health on structuring, permitting, and development of Boston’s first freestanding inpatient cancer hospital, a US$1.7 billion collaboration with Dana-Farber. Led complex real estate negotiations, secured key land use approvals, and structured fee/air rights to maximize urban land use.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Antonio Calabrese; Jerold Neuman; Katherine Jahnke Dale
Other key lawyers
Kyndra Joy Casper; John Rattigan; Paul Shadle; Mariah DiGrino