Matthew McClure

Matthew N. McClure

Partner
Philadelphia

Matthew N. McClure is Team Leader of the firm's Zoning and Land Use Team and a member of the firm's Elected Board. He counsels developers, nonprofits, and universities on a full range of real estate matters. His practice heavily emphasizes development, land use, zoning, and historic preservation matters. Matt has represented developer and institutional clients in significant urban redevelopment efforts, with high profile historic preservation issues, and in successful land use appellate matters.

Before joining the firm, Matt handled media relations for the U.S. Conference of Mayors and worked in the Office of then-Mayor Edward G. Rendell.

Experience 

Representative Matters

  • Represented joint venture in obtaining zoning and land use approvals for a 30-story, 427,000 square-foot student housing project with 420 dwelling units in the University City section of Philadelphia
  • Represented developer in obtaining legislative zoning re-mapping for a 92-dwelling unit development in the East Falls section of Philadelphia
  • Represented land conservancy in stopping the Lower Merion School District's threatened condemnation of Stoneleigh: the historic Haas family estate designed in part by the Olmsted Brothers
  • Represented Major League Baseball franchise in obtaining legislative and administrative approvals for U.S. Department of Homeland Security sanctioned perimeter hardening improvements for Citizens Bank Park

Professional Highlights

Professional Activities

American Bar Association

Pennsylvania Bar Association

Philadelphia Bar Association

American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL)

Recognition & Accomplishments

The Best Lawyers in America, Land Use and Zoning Law (Philadelphia), 2018-2020, 2022-2025

The Legal 500 US, real estate and construction–land use/zoning, 2014-2024

Chambers USA, real estate law, 2009-2018, zoning/land use law (Pennsylvania), Band 1, 2016-2024

Lawdragon, 500 Leading Global Real Estate Lawyers, 2024

Philadelphia Business Journal, "Dealmaker of the Year," 2021

Speaking Engagements

Moderator, CPDC Quarterly Membership Meeting, Central Philadelphia Development Corporation, February 2024

Presenter, "Understanding Philadelphia Zoning 2023," Pennsylvania Bar Institute/Pennsylvania Bar Association, May 4, 2023

Moderator, "Philadelphia Zoning and Land Use Legislative and Regulatory Update," Ballard Spahr Philadelphia Zoning and Land Use Breakfast Briefing, July 26, 2022

Board Memberships & Community Service

East Falls Development Corporation, board member and past chair

Central Philadelphia Development Corporation, board member

Lambda Alpha International Philadelphia chapter, President

Publications

"Working Through the Static: Is There Anything Left to Local Control In the Siting of Cellular and PCS Towers After the Telecommunication Act of 1996?" 44 Vill. L. Rev. 781, 1999, reprinted in Deborah Mans, 2000 Zoning and Planning Law Handbook 797-829

Credentials 

Education

Villanova University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 1999)
Staff Writer, Villanova Law Review
Member, Order of the Coif

Loyola College (B.A., magna cum laude, 1994)

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Diploma, 1993)

Admissions

New Jersey

Pennsylvania