Biography

Dave’s dynamic practice assists with the multifaceted interactions between commercial real estate, land development and local government. His representations span a range of private and public sector clients.

Dave is well-versed in real estate finance, zoning & land use, industrial incentives, local government representation and related complex contract negotiations. His 25 years of experience in real property, local government and economic development give him uncommon insight into the interplay between government institutions and private property interests. 

Dave’s dynamic practice assists with the multifaceted interactions between commercial real estate, land development and local government. His representations span a range of private and public sector clients.

Dave is well-versed in real estate finance, zoning & land use, industrial incentives, local government representation and related complex contract negotiations. His 25 years of experience in real property, local government and economic development give him uncommon insight into the interplay between government institutions and private property interests. 

Before Fox Rothschild

Dave was a partner at Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP, which combined with Fox Rothschild in 2018. Before law school, Dave spent six years on the economic development team of the Durham Chamber of Commerce.

Representative Matters

  • Counsel to publicly traded homebuilders in connection with land acquisition, entitlement and development of single-family, multifamily and townhome communities throughout the Carolinas.
  • Counsel to private equity lenders in short-timeline, high-stakes transactions throughout the Carolinas.
  • Counsel to multi-tenant office tower investors involving numerous acquisitions and landlord/tenant matters throughout the Research Triangle.
  • Counsel to a multinational food producer in the acquisition and phased expansion of their North Carolina facilities.
  • Counsel to a national multifamily homebuilder for the development of regional mixed-use projects in Wake County, North Carolina.
  • City attorney to the Town of Rolesville, one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the state of North Carolina.
  • Deputy general counsel to the Centennial Authority, the publicly chartered owner of the PNC Arena.
  • Counsel to both developers and property owners in dozens of utility-scale solar farms throughout North Carolina and Virginia.
  • Counsel to publicly traded homebuilders in connection with land acquisition, entitlement and development of single-family, multifamily and townhome communities throughout the Carolinas.
  • Counsel to private equity lenders in short-timeline, high-stakes transactions throughout the Carolinas.
  • Counsel to multi-tenant office tower investors involving numerous acquisitions and landlord/tenant matters throughout the Research Triangle.
  • Counsel to a multinational food producer in the acquisition and phased expansion of their North Carolina facilities.
  • Counsel to a national multifamily homebuilder for the development of regional mixed-use projects in Wake County, North Carolina.
  • City attorney to the Town of Rolesville, one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the state of North Carolina.
  • Deputy general counsel to the Centennial Authority, the publicly chartered owner of the PNC Arena.
  • Counsel to both developers and property owners in dozens of utility-scale solar farms throughout North Carolina and Virginia.

Education

  • University of North Carolina School of Law (J.D., with honors, 2004)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.A., 1995)
    • Political Science, Public Policy Analysis
  • Ocean County College (A.A., summa cum laude, 1993)
    • Liberal Studies

Honors & Awards

  • Selected to the "Best Lawyers in America" list for Real Estate Law (2018-2026) and Land Use & Zoning Law (2019-2026) in Raleigh, NC by Best Lawyers
  • LEED-Accredited Professional with Building Design & Construction Specialty (LEED AP BD+C)
  • Named to Business North Carolina's Legal Elite for Real Estate (2013, 2023)
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Edition, Real Estate (2009-2011, 2013, 2014)
  • Business Leader Magazine's "Movers & Shakers" (2010)

Memberships

  • North Carolina Bar Association
    • Real Property Section Council (2022-Present)
    • Zoning Planning & Land Use Section Council (2022-Present)
    • Co-Chair, Ethics Committee – Real Property Section (2022-Present)
    • Co-Chair, Continuing Legal Education Committee - Zoning, Planning & Land Use Section (2017-2019)
    • Chair, Ethics Committee - Zoning, Planning & Land Use Section, NC Bar Association (2016-2017)
  • North Carolina Bar Association Foundation, Professionalism Committee (2012-2016)
  • North Carolina State Bar
    • Advisory Member, Authorized Practice Committee (2020-2022)
  • North Carolina Association of Municipal Attorneys
  • Durham Historic Preservation Commission
    • Commissioner (2013-2015)
  • Durham Board of Adjustment
    • Vice-Chair (2012), Member (2004-2012)
  • Triangle Community Coalition
  • Greater Durham, Morrisville and Rolesville Chambers of Commerce
  • National Eagle Scout Association
  • Holy Infant Catholic Church

Bar Admissions

  • North Carolina