Kedrick Whitmore

Partner
Whitmore Kedrick

Ked Whitmore is a real estate attorney and the chair of Venable's land use and zoning practice. In this capacity, he works with clients on some of the most ambitious new developments in the Washington metropolitan area and across the country. With a focus on obtaining entitlements for new projects, Ked offers guidance on all the legislative, administrative, and regulatory issues that impact property development. Armed with a strong transactional background, he has advised numerous clients on the acquisition and disposition of major commercial and residential properties. He also works with both property owners and tenants to structure and negotiate commercial leases for office, industrial, and retail assets.

Having lived in Northern Virginia for over 20 years, Ked has extensive experience working with local governments to expedite the permitting and approvals process. Practical and responsive, Ked has a strong track record of engaging with community representatives to address any local concerns and to build consensus and support for new developments. His robust background in real estate transactions gives him a unique perspective and an in-depth understanding of where zoning and land use fit into the larger process of property acquisition, financing, and development. Clients rely on Ked's strategic approach and deep knowledge of planning, zoning, and transactional issues to get their deals done. Ked was named partner-in-charge of Venable's Tysons office in June 2019 and is a board member of the Venable Foundation.

Experience

Representative Matters

  • Represented a national REIT in obtaining zoning and land use approvals for development of a 699-unit apartment building with more than 30,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space in Pentagon City, Arlington, Virginia
  • Represented a pension fund investment advisor in the entitlement of a 306-unit apartment building with 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space in Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia
  • Represented a REIT in zoning and land use approvals for infill development of over 100,000 square feet of retail space and the full renovation of an existing 250,000 square foot office building in Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia
  • Represented a national REIT in a $15 million purchase of more than 600,000 square feet of transferable development rights in Arlington County, Virginia
  • Represented an affordable housing developer in the entitlement and construction of 249 affordable dwelling units in Rosslyn, Arlington, Virginia
  • Served as general counsel to the Crystal City Business Improvement District
  • Served as land use counsel to a real estate development firm during the construction and sale of a $222 million apartment and townhouse development in Rosslyn, Arlington, Virginia
  • Represented a major U.S. investment management firm in the acquisition and management of several industrial properties
  • Obtained government approvals for conversion of a vacant office building to a mixed-use live/work space, with 216 apartment units and 25,000 square feet of co-working office space in Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia

Insights

Credentials
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Education

  • J.D. cum laude University of Maryland School of Law 2008
    • Notes and comments editor, University of Maryland Law Journal of Race, Religion, Gender, and Class
  • B.A. cum laude Longwood University 2004

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • Virginia

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • Member, Commercial Real Estate Development Association, Northern Virginia Chapter
  • Member, Leadership Arlington

Recognition
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  • Chambers USA, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, Virginia, 2024
  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2024 – 2025
  • Virginia Business, Legal Elite, Real Estate/Land Use, 2020
  • Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Leaders in the Law, 2020
  • Arlington Magazine, Top Attorney, Arlington, 2019, 2021
  • Super Lawyers, Rising Star, Virginia, 2018
  • Leadership Arlington, 40 Under 40 (Inaugural awards)

Community
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Volunteerism

  • Board member, Arlington Chamber of Commerce
  • Board member, NOVABIZPAC (Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce)
  • Former board member, Culpepper Garden
  • Former board member, Celebrate Fairfax