David Brooman

David J. Brooman brings more than three decades of expertise in zoning and land use development and environmental law. He is adept at negotiating innovative solutions in both project development and litigation concerning land use and environmental disputes.

David has provided counsel to public and private companies, developers, lenders, and municipal governments, focusing on the business risks and economic impacts of federal, state, and local regulations. His skills extend to crisis management and handling controversial land use issues.

One of David’s notable roles was as special environmental and land use counsel for a Pennsylvania municipality. He facilitated the acquisition and redevelopment of a 209-acre former state mental hospital complex. This project resulted in a public/private partnership, with 40 acres sold for private development, featuring 100 carriage houses and 198 age-restricted condominiums, while 169 acres were preserved for recreation and open space.

David also led a public/private partnership to transform the 114-acre Philadelphia Naval Shipyard into a commercial shipbuilding operation for an international shipbuilder. Most recently, he collaborated with a municipality and developers to redevelop an abandoned historic property. This initiative included 32 new carriage homes, 72 townhomes, and 250 senior living apartments with memory care, alongside the restoration of historic structures like a late 1800s castle and other significant assets. The project also promises considerable environmental benefits.