Toby Coleman

Overview

Toby serves as head of the firm’s Land Use and Zoning practice, concentrating on land use, zoning, and municipal law, with additional experience in commercial real estate and construction matters. He advises developers, landowners, and other stakeholders on navigating the complex regulatory frameworks governing land development, guiding projects from initial planning through final approval.

Toby has extensive experience representing clients at every stage of the development permitting process, including contested rezonings and quasi-judicial proceedings before municipal boards, commissions, and other governmental authorities throughout North Carolina. In addition to his transactional and regulatory work, he is an experienced litigator with a deep understanding of the unique intersections of land use, construction, and real estate law. This combination allows him to deliver practical, strategic solutions tailored to each client’s objectives.

Actively engaged in the development community, Toby currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Midtown Raleigh Alliance. He is a former chair and current member of the Triangle Community Coalition, an organization focused on advancing thoughtful land use policy across the Triangle region. He has also served on the North Carolina Bar Association’s Zoning, Planning & Land Use Section Council.

Before entering private practice, Toby worked as a newspaper reporter covering local governments, an experience that continues to inform his approach to land use matters. This background gives him valuable insight into the political, procedural, and public-facing dynamics that often accompany development projects. As a trusted advisor, Toby not only understands the applicable regulations and approval processes, but also the practical realities surrounding them, allowing him to help clients identify options, manage risk, and move projects forward with clarity and confidence.

Outside the office, Toby brings the same energy and focus to family life, where he and his wife stay busy keeping up with their three children.

View Less

Areas of Focus

Credentials

Recognition

Chambers USA, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use (2023-2026)
The Best Lawyers in America®
- Land Use and Zoning Law (2020-2026)
- Real Estate Law (2024-2026)
Super Lawyers
- North Carolina Super Lawyers (2025-2026)
- North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star (2014-2020)
Editor-in-Chief, Duke Journal of Constitutional Law & Public Policy

Education

Duke University, J.D., cum laude, 2010
Duke University, B.A., cum laude, 2000

Bar & Court Admissions

North Carolina

Affiliations

Member, Board of Directors, Triangle Community Coalition (2017-2021)
- Chair (2021-Present)
- Vice Chair (2020)
- Secretary (2019)
Member, Board of Directors BarCARES (2014-Present)
- President
- First Vice President
Member, Section Council, Zoning, Planning and Land Use Section of the North Carolina Bar Association (2018-Present)
- Co-Chair, Communications Committee (2018-Present)
Member, Urban Land Institute Triangle District Council
- Management Committee (2015-2016)
- Chair, Communications Committee (2015-2016)
Member, Design Professionals Liaison Committee of the North Carolina Bar Association (2014-2016)
Raleigh Chamber, Leadership Raleigh, Class 38

Experience

Represented owner/developer of a $200 million ecommerce distribution facility in a contested permitting case in order to successfully obtain the necessary land use approvals to begin operations.
Secured the issuance of all zoning and land use approvals for the conversion of a vacant “big box” retail store to office uses near Research Triangle Park.
Represented developer in rezoning of property for a new 155,000 square foot office tower.
Assisted a national affordable housing developer in rezoning multiple properties around the state for affordable housing, including successfully defending a neighbor’s appeal of the approval of a 60-unit affordable housing development on the North Carolina coast.

Successfully represented national and local developers, commercial and local property owners, churches, and charities in zoning variance and other proceedings necessary to construct apartments, office buildings, townhomes, and other commercial and residential developments.
Represented owners, developers and operators in quasi-judicial proceedings approving power plants, quarries, self-storage facilities, a bulk fuel terminal and other industrial facilities.
Assisted multiple property owners and developers with obtaining necessary approvals in a restricted urban watershed area and helped push for reforms of unduly burdensome development restrictions.
Defeated a developer’s contractual specific performance claim asserted against the owner of valuable residential real estate, thereby preserving the property.
Successfully represented clients in multiple trial and appellate court cases involving special use permits, real estate contracts, commercial leases, and construction contracts.