Matthew J. Allman

Partner
Allman Matthew

Matthew Allman secures zoning and land use approvals for developers and landowners throughout Northern Virginia and in Washington, D.C. Matthew advises clients on state and federal regulations affecting real estate development and changes to local jurisdictions' comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances. He helps obtain approvals for complex mixed-use developments, including re-zonings and zoning text amendments, special exceptions, special use permits, comprehensive plan amendments, and subdivisions.  Matthew also conducts zoning due diligence reviews and vested rights analyses prior to property acquisition and development.  He has extensive experience representing land use applicants in public hearings before municipal bodies and community groups.

In addition, Matthew regularly assists clients with the negotiation of agreements relating to project execution, such as declarations of covenants, reciprocal easement agreements, construction easements, commercial condominium regimes, affordable housing covenants, license agreements, public use easements, and deeds.

Prior to joining Venable, Matthew was an associate at a Northern Virginia law firm, where he coordinated the preparation, filing, and management of land use and zoning applications in multiple jurisdictions throughout the region. Matthew also previously served as a presidential management fellow and financial management analyst at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the Office of Block Grant Assistance. While at HUD, Matthew assisted with the development and administration of federal community development regulations and policies. He also assisted with administrative enforcement proceedings during a rotation with the HUD Office of General Counsel.

Experience

Government Experience

  • Presidential management fellow and financial management analyst, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Insights

Credentials
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Education

  • J.D. magna cum laude Florida State University College of Law 2011
    • Order of the Coif
    • Staff member, Florida State University Law Review, Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law, and Journal of Transnational Law & Policy
  • B.A. University of Virginia 2008
    • Jefferson Scholar

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Virginia

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • Member, Urban Land Institute
  • Member, NAIOP Northern Virginia
  • Member, District of Columbia Building Industry Association (DCBIA)
  • Graduate, Leadership Fairfax Emerging Leaders Institute, 2020
  • Former member, Tysons Partnership Leadership Advisory Council
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Fellow, American Bar Foundation

Recognition
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  • Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Leaders in the Law, 2022
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, 2021 – 2025
  • Super Lawyers
    • Rising Star, Virginia, 2018 – 2021
    • Rising Star, Washington, DC, 2018 – 2021
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD Secretary’s Award Finalist, 2014