Each year, PTK magazine — a publication of AZ Big Media — showcases the top people and projects to know in Arizona’s commercial real estate sector. Pulling from a competitive pool of nominations and the editorial board’s knowledge of the industry, this annual edition highlights 50 meaningful projects across all product types and influential professionals in 23 different categories. Over the coming days, meet the individuals making an outsized impact on the built environment across Arizona. The digital sponsor of PTK magazine is Quarles. Here are the land use attorneys to know in 2026:
DEEPER DIVE: Read the latest issue of PTK magazine
Ben Graff
Chair of land use practice
Background: As an Arizona native with deep roots in state and experience navigating strategic decisions related to land use policy, Graff’s clients benefit from his connections with the development community, planning staff, neighborhood leaders, appointed officials and elected officials throughout Arizona. He served on the Arizona Board of Regents and currently serves on the Valley Partnership Board of Directors and as an elected member of the Central Arizona Project Board of Directors.
Source of pride: “Perhaps the best example of what I do for a living was the time I worked with a landowner and developer to transform a literal 60-acre landfill into one of Tempe’s most vibrant mixed-use developments, Rio 2100. Bordered to the west by Tempe Marketplace at the northwest corner of Loop 101 and Loop 202, the property faced significant challenges given its history and use as a garbage dump. This visionary property owner tasked me with leading a team to rezone all 60 acres from Industrial to retail/mixed use. Over the years, this renaissance of dirt has led to luxury multifamily housing, premier office space, retail, restaurant and hotel uses. While it’s common for a zoning attorney to rezone land for single-family community, it was potentially a once-in-a-lifetime experience to transform garbage into a gateway mixed-use development in Tempe.”
Surprising fact: “In 2018, I took a shot at stand-up comedy, and it stuck. I’m not quitting my day job anytime soon, but I have opened for headliners at the Tempe Improv and Copper Blues at Desert Ridge. It’s one thing to present and win a case regarding a controversial development before a City Council, and completely different task to keep a room of strangers laughing.”
Brian Greathouse
Partner
Background: Greathouse oversees all aspects of zoning cases from dirt to development and entering the construction phase. He is especially adept at working with neighborhood constituencies who have concerns and objections when looking to garner zoning approvals.
Source of pride: Thanks to Greathouse’s work on several zoning cases with a nationally known convenience store/gas station operator, Burch & Cracchiolo now does all their zoning in Arizona thanks to his relationship building and success with local city councils. Now this operator is now poised to give the firm other types of matters, such as liquor licensing, throughout the state.
Favorite project: “I worked on modifying R-5 RUPD zoning conditions for a multifamily residential development in the Peoria area. It was a hard-fought case with a favorable outcome for all parties.”
Surprising fact: Greathouse’s undergraduate degree from Seattle University was in civil engineering. After working a few years in this field, he decided to attend law school, graduating in 2012. Also, Greathouse is an executive board member for Native American Connections, which helps create better lives and opportunities for youth and individuals struggling with homelessness and substance abuse. He doesn’t talk about it much but he is very committed to this population.
Darin Sender
President and founding attorney
Background: Throughout her career, Sender has made significant contributions to the built environment, working on projects such as The Union and First + Farmer. Her firm recently celebrated its 25th anniversary — something she says was achieved through a policy of “being honest, treating people well and loving what you do.” Over the past nine years, Sender has entitled over 3,000 urban high-rise residential units, with another 2,000 units averaging 400 dwelling units per acre currently in entitlements.
Source of pride: “The fact that my firm is in its 25th year and has made such a positive impact on so many communities in the Valley and state. Watching my client’s projects rise from the ground to reshape Downtown Tempe has been the most exciting. But other developments like a hotel campus on the famous London Bridge in Lake Havasu are as exciting as a city block high-rise development like the 30-story 7th Street Residential or the 20-story Union project in Downtown Tempe. After 25 years, I am honored to have so many amazing clients who care about the communities they develop in and the quality of the projects they build.”
Surprising fact: “I’m teaching my daughters how to read and write in cursive in case the CIA ever needs someone to translate for them.”
Jason Morris
Partner
Background: Morris’s practice focuses exclusively on land use, planning, zoning and government relations. His client list includes several national homebuilders, master plan developers, landowners and Fortune 100 companies.
Source of pride: “Building a company that has thrived for over a quarter of a century and knowing I’ve made an imprint on the way our state is developed. Being able to drive down the street and see the concrete representations of your career is incredibly gratifying. Most attorneys see their accomplishments represented in verdicts, deals or legislation. I get to see mine in buildings.”
Key to success: “A gnawing ambition. I’m always focused on how we can do our job better, more efficiently and more effectively. If you are satisfied with the status quo or you rely on a constant environment, you are much more likely to fall behind.”
Surprising fact: “My family is British and dates back several centuries in England. During that time, one of my relatives was the Lord Mayor of London, which is a position that has existed since 1189. The majority of my family still resides in England, and I make several trips there each year.”
Keri Silvyn
Partner
Background: With nearly 30 years of experience in Southern Arizona, Silvyn is an expert in land use and economic development with a passion for creating sustainable communities, expanding employment and fostering responsible growth.
Source of pride: “The revitalization of major arterials through adaptive reuse projects like Foothills Mall and new multifamily uses, as well as the expansion of medical complexes like Banner, TMC and Northwest Hospital. Bringing these projects to fruition for my clients involves extensive work with local officials, neighbors and other stakeholders. This process requires listening to diverse voices to find common ground, making it both incredibly challenging and rewarding.”
Key to success: “My ability to genuinely listen to people. I’ve always loved getting to know people from various backgrounds, and this helps me understand the concerns of all project stakeholders. My honest and straightforward approach has earned me enough respect in the community to engage in difficult conversations where people are willing to listen. I believe in giving honest answers, even if it’s ‘no,’ and explaining the reasoning to find alternative solutions. This honed skill is what truly drives my success.”
Surprising fact: “Many people in the Tucson region remember the Copper Bowl, which was played over the New Year’s holiday for many years. In college, my sorority secretly nominated me for the 1991-92 Copper Bowl court. I had no idea what it was, but I went to the interview for the experience. Turns out, I was selected as one of the four princesses. My parents, who found the whole thing hilarious, saved the sash and gave it to my husband on our wedding day to remind him he has married a true princess.”
