Each year, PTK magazine — a publication of AZ Big Media — honors the talented people and compelling projects across Arizona’s commercial real estate landscape. Each day leading up to the PTK launch party, we will be spotlighting the influential professionals and projects featured in the 2027 edition of PTK. Today, meet the Arizona land use and zoning attorneys to know in 2027.
AZ Big Media will host a launch party to commemorate the 2027 edition of PTK in on Oct. 29, 2026. The Presenting Sponsors for the PTK 2027 edition magazine launch party are Lincoln and Harvard Investments; the Premier Sponsor is Wolverine Builders; the Event Sponsors are DFDG Architecture and Layton; the Photobooth Sponsor is Chasse Building Team; the Digital Sponsor is ModLogics Commercial Furniture Solutions; the Social Media Sponsor is Tempe Mechanical; the Red Carpet Sponsor is Concord General Contracting; the Entertainment Sponsor is Gensler; the Appetizer Sponsor is Stevens-Leinweber Construction; the Dessert Sponsor is Arizona Escrow & Financial; the Lanyard Sponsor is BPR Companies; the Beverage Sponsor is LGE Design Build; the Valet Sponsor is Clayco; the Interactive Champagne Wall Sponsor is PDO, a studio of RDC; the Floral Sponsor is Empire Paving; the Seating Sponsor is Corporate Interior Systems; the Champagne Sponsor is Milhaus; and the Floral Provider is PJs Flowers. For more information, click here.
Arizona land use and zoning attorneys to know in 2027
Carolyn Oberholtzer
Founding partner, Bergin, Frakes, Smalley & Oberholtzer
BACKGROUND: A third-generation Arizonan from Tucson, Oberholtzer practices in the fields of land use and municipal law, and handles zoning, due diligence, development agreements and regulatory issues within municipalities and counties throughout the state.
SURPRISING FACT: “I have an IMDb profile. But you have to know my maiden name to find it!”
Court Rich
Co-founder, Rose Law Group
BACKGROUND: As director of the firm’s Energy and Utility Infrastructure Department, Rich practices in the areas of energy, utilities, municipal law, regulatory law, land use and zoning, project permitting, administrative law, real estate and handles administrative matters in front of governmental entities.
FAVORITE PROJECT: “Fifteen years ago, I helped a client contract to build a 17-megawatt solar project called Cotton Center that they sold to APS near Gila Bend. That project was big back then, but by today’s standard it would be too small to even be considered by a utility. We now regularly work on projects that could be 30 times bigger.”
Jeffrey Blilie
Partner, Gilbert Blilie
BACKGROUND: With more than two decades of experience, Blilie handles all facets of the entitlement process for projects ranging from small infill development to large master planned communities spanning thousands of acres. Prior to joining the firm, he spent time as the Deputy Town Attorney for the Town of Payson and the City Attorney for the City of Surprise.
Nick Wood
Partner, Snell & Wilmer
BACKGROUND: Wood leads the firms Zoning and Land Use Group across all 17 offices, leveraging years of experience assisting developers, corporations, municipalities and individuals seeking to maximize the potential of their properties.
FAVORITE PROJECT: “The most memorable, and the most difficult, case that I ever handled was the PUD rezoning of the Biltmore Resort. We sought to more than double the number of keys from 600 to over 1,200 in buildings up to six stories. However, after working with Arizona Biltmore Estates Village Association Board representatives, we were able to put together an extraordinary plan that ended up being supported by ABEVA and the entire Biltmore Community.”
Stephen Anderson
Zoning and land use attorney, Gammage & Burnham
BACKGROUND: With a focus on large-scale, industrial developments, Anderson leads complex entitlement and development projects across Arizona, handling intricate zoning and land use challenges with skill and authority.
SOURCE OF PRIDE: “Secured approval for a rezoning case where I had to be escorted out of the hearing by City of Phoenix police due to the level of opposition to the case — thank you, officers!”
