David Avitabile
Director
Washington, D.C.
davitabile@goulstonstorrs.com+1 202 721 1137David Avitabile
Director, Washington, D.C.
davitabile@goulstonstorrs.com+1 202 721 1137Related Expertise
David Avitabile is a leading land use and development attorney, widely recognized for his ability to advance complex projects in Washington, D.C. and nationwide. He advises on every stage of the development process, with deep experience in zoning, master planning, historic preservation, public space, and permitting. His practice centers on aligning legal strategy with long-term development goals, particularly for educational institutions and sophisticated developers.
Educational and cultural institutions rely on David for campus planning, entitlement strategy, and implementation. He counsels major universities on master plans, growth strategy, and the regulatory and political considerations tied to institutional expansion and operations. His work often includes reciprocal easement agreements, development covenants, and the conversion of existing buildings for academic use. National developers also turn to David for entitlement strategy and regulatory execution on large-scale urban redevelopment projects involving rezonings, public-private agreements, and long-range repositioning efforts.
David is also known for his work on property conversions—advising on the adaptive reuse of buildings for residential, educational, and mixed-use purposes. He frequently represents owners and developers in land use transitions tied to acquisitions, dispositions, and joint development agreements. He also has extensive experience negotiating high-stakes development agreements and land exchanges involving both District and federal entities. Clients rely on David not just for technical command of land use law, but for strategic insight, political fluency, and practical guidance that moves projects from concept to completion.
Related Representative Matters
Major educational institutions—including Georgetown University and The George Washington University—on long-range campus planning, entitlement strategy, zoning approvals, and implementation of capital development programs, including new academic buildings and facility expansions.
Universities and institutional property owners in the conversion of existing office buildings to academic and administrative use, including strategic advisory and entitlement execution for acquisitions and adaptive reuse in downtown Washington, D.C.
National developers—including a real estate investment and development firm with a multibillion-dollar urban portfolio—in the repositioning and conversion of office properties to residential and mixed-use, including complex entitlements, historic preservation approvals, and negotiation of public and private development agreements.
Property owners and developers, including a publicly traded national developer, on entitlement strategy, zoning approvals, and public space coordination for high-profile commercial and mixed-use projects, including trophy office developments and major infill sites.
Institutional clients and private developers in negotiating reciprocal easement agreements (REAs), development covenants, and land use agreements tied to campus expansion, land transfers, and joint development partnerships with both District and federal entities.
A national investment and asset management firm in the entitlement and infrastructure strategy for a 42-acre redevelopment of former federal property, including cross-easement negotiations with the District and utility agencies.
Georgetown University and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital on the university’s campus plan and related zoning, historic preservation, and permitting approvals for the hospital’s surgical pavilion and broader institutional footprint.
The master developer behind a major waterfront neighborhood in Southeast D.C. on zoning, historic preservation, public space, and permitting matters, as well as the negotiation of development agreements with District agencies.
A major museum in Southwest D.C. on all zoning, historic preservation, public space, and permitting approvals required for the adaptive reuse and transformation of an existing structure into a nationally recognized cultural institution.
A sovereign government on zoning and land use approvals required to convert a commercial office property into a national chancery facility, including the necessary public space and use entitlements.
A commercial property owner on entitlements, public space approvals, and development agreements for an office addition to the headquarters of a leading international organization in Northwest D.C.
Residential and commercial developers in securing PUDs, design review, variance relief, and associated approvals for multifamily and mixed-use projects throughout Washington, D.C.
A national grocery chain in zoning, permitting, and related appellate litigation tied to the development of a mixed-use project anchored by a new flagship store in Northwest D.C.
An arts and cultural nonprofit organization in the acquisition, financing, and land use approvals required to establish a new headquarters in Dupont Circle.
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Recognition
Chambers USA Guide
June 5, 2025
Accolades
- Best Lawyers in America® 2026: Land Use and Zoning Law
- Chambers USA, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, District of Columbia, 2019-2025
Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- District of Columbia Building Industry Association (DCBIA)
- Higher Education Real Estate Lawyers (HEREL)
- Virginia Bar Association
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
Education
Georgetown University ( B.A. , magna cum laude , 2000 )
University of Virginia School of Law ( J.D. , 2005 )