Kathryn M. Zickert

Kathryn M. Zickert is a partner in and the leader of the Zoning, Planning and Land Use Practice Group of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, as well as a member of the Firm’s SWATT team.

Ms. Zickert has extensive experience in zoning and land use related law, representing primarily developers and property owners both in administrative and litigation matters. Her development practice covers a broad range of commercial real estate projects, including retail, office, industrial and mixed use; as well as various residential projects, including attached and detached single family and multi-family units. In recognition of her expertise in land use/environmental law, Ms. Zickert has been named as a Georgia “Super Lawyer” by Atlanta Magazine, a “Legal Elite” by Georgia Trend Magazine for multiple years, has been selected as on of the “Best Lawyers in America” for zoning and land use, and is listed in the “Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition”. Ms. Zickert is a member of Legal Action Network for Development Strategies (LANDS), a national group of zoning and land use lawyers who represent only private property interests.

Ms. Zickert is also the author of a number of zoning and other land use ordinances used throughout Georgia. Additionally, she is a regular speaker at national and local land use seminars sponsored by the Atlanta Regional Commission, the National Business Institute, Law Seminars International, Lorman, the Georgia Institute for Continuing Legal Education, the National Association of Homebuilders, the American and Georgia Planning Associations, and the American Bar Association. Ms. Zickert has also served as an Adjunct Professor for Emory University School of Law, teaching advanced litigation courses; and as a DeKalb County Magistrate. She also has served as a Board Member for the Metropolitan Atlanta Transit Authority (MARTA).

Ms. Zickert specializes in all aspects of land use and zoning including:

• Environmental and Land Use Litigation
• Condemnation
• Re-zonings, Variances, Special or Conditional Use Permits, Special Exceptions, Subdivision approvals and all other permitting
• Fair Housing
• Developments of Regional Impact
• Historic Preservation

Ms. Zickert received her B.A., cum laude, from Vanderbilt University and her J.D. from Emory University School of Law. She is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Georgia, as well as the 5th Circuit and 11th Circuit Courts of Appeal.

Articles

“Tree Preservation Ordinances: Sacrificing Private Timber Rights on the Diminutive Altar of Public Benefit”, Mercer Law Review, Winter 2001