Jones Foster was proud to serve as a conference exhibitor at the 2025 American Planning Association (APA) Florida Planning Conference from September 16 to 19 at Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. Land use attorneys and AICP-certified planners Peter J. Henn and Thomas J. Baird connected with land planners, attorneys, students, planning commissioners, government officials, and other urban planning professionals from across Florida for a week of educational programming, networking, and professional development.
As part of the AICP community, Peter Henn was invited to lead several panels and sessions on land use and zoning law and emerging planning trends. Drawing upon his extensive background as an attorney, AICP-certified planner, senior instructor at FAU’s Urban and Regional Planning Department, and former developer, Mr. Henn presented during the AICP Exam Prep Seminar, Planning Officials Training, and Rethinking Planning: Equity & Sustainable Growth. Notable topics of discussion included:
Jones Foster’s Land Use & Governmental Co-Chair Tom Baird also represented the firm at the conference where he leveraged his special knowledge and experience as a Florida Bar Board Certified specialist in City, County and Local Government law and as Town Attorney for the Towns of Jupiter, Jupiter Island, and Lake Park to share insights and generate meaningful conversations with attendees, including on zoning code amendments, comprehensive plans, SB 180, and other timely planning issues shaping the future of Florida’s communities.
Peter Henn, a member of Jones Foster’s Land Use & Governmental team, has more than 30 years of experience in land use and zoning law, local government relations, urban planning and design, and real estate development across Florida and the U.S. Mr. Henn represents developers, investors, and property owners in all aspects of land use regulation, including comprehensive planning, development approvals, rezoning, variances, and special exceptions.
He has served as counsel on major residential and commercial redevelopment projects, from luxury oceanfront hotels and condominiums to multi-family communities throughout South Florida and beyond. Peter has also worked extensively with local governments, including rewriting portions of the City of Fort Lauderdale’s zoning code. Earlier in his career, he served on the Palm Beach County Zoning Advisory Committee during the creation of the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC).
Tom Baird, co-chair of Jones Foster’s Land Use & Governmental practice group, is a Florida Bar Board Certified specialist in City, County & Local Government Law and a certified Professional Planner (AICP). With 30 years of experience in land use, zoning, planning, and local government law, Mr. Baird represents municipalities, public entities, developers, corporate clients, and property owners in permitting, comprehensive planning, zoning and code enforcement, property rights, and constitutional takings. He also defends governmental clients in state and federal courts in matters involving zoning appeals, eminent domain, and inverse condemnation.
Mr. Baird has advised local governments across Florida since the 1990s, working with planning and zoning departments on large-scale developments of regional impact (DRIs), community redevelopment, and planned unit developments. He currently serves as Town Attorney for Jupiter, Jupiter Island, and Lake Park, where he provides legal counsel to municipal officials and staff on a wide range of issues, including employment law and law enforcement matters. He is the former president of the American Planning Association Florida Chapter’s Treasure Coast Section and a member of the Palm Beach County League of Cities.
Jones Foster is a full-service commercial and private client law firm headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, with offices in Palm Beach and Jupiter. Tracing its roots back to 1924, the firm has served as an integral part of South Florida’s growth and prosperity. Through a relentless pursuit of excellence, Jones Foster delivers original legal solutions that help clients, colleagues, and the community to move forward. A significant number of attorneys have received the designation of Board-Certified Specialist by The Florida Bar in their specific practice area. The firm’s practice groups include Complex Litigation & Dispute Resolution; Corporate & Tax; Land Use & Governmental; Private Wealth, Wills, Trusts & Estates; Real Estate; and Trust & Estate Litigation. For more information, please visit www.jonesfoster.com.
