Jones Foster Attorney Peter J. Henn Appointed Chair of FAU Department of Urban and Regional Planning

Jones Foster, a commercial and private client law firm with offices in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, and Jupiter, Florida, is pleased to announce that land use attorney Peter J. Henn, AICP, has been appointed chair of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Florida Atlantic University by Dean Valery E. Forbes of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science.

A senior instructor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at FAU’s Boca Raton campus, Mr. Henn draws on his experience as an attorney, planner, and former real estate developer to give students a practical perspective on the legal, regulatory, and policy issues that shape communities. During his 12 years on the faculty, he has taught graduate-level courses including Land Use Politics, Planning and Growth Management, Plan Making and Zoning, Urban Development and Design, Urban Governance, Legal Aspects of Planning, Designing the City, and Planning Abroad: Vancouver, London, and Paris.

In this leadership role, Mr. Henn will serve on the Executive Committee, where he will help guide academic initiatives, support faculty and student development, and advance the department’s community outreach and engagement efforts. “I've spent the past 12 years teaching because I'm passionate about preparing the next generation of planning professionals with the knowledge and practical experience to help build a better South Florida," Mr. Henn said. "As department chair, I have the opportunity to expand that impact beyond the classroom by strengthening FAU's connections with the business, development, and local government communities. Building those relationships creates opportunities for our students while helping ensure the university remains engaged with the issues shaping our region."

Among the department's priorities is advancing FAU’s vision for an architecture and urban design studio in downtown West Palm Beach. The proposed studio would provide students with opportunities to collaborate with local business leaders and development professionals on community-focused planning and design projects while expanding the university's ties to the broader community.

Mr. Henn brings more than 30 years of multidisciplinary experience in land use and zoning law, local government relations, urban planning and design, and real estate development to his role as Senior Counsel in Jones Foster's Land Use & Governmental practice group. A certified Professional Planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners, he represents developers, property owners, investors, and businesses in all aspects of land use regulations, comprehensive planning, development approvals, and zoning matters throughout Florida and across the United States.

Before joining Jones Foster, Mr. Henn served as president and CEO of a publicly traded real estate development and construction company, where he led the planning and development of hotels, condominium towers, and master-planned communities. Throughout his career, he has also served on numerous local government advisory boards focused on planning, zoning, and affordable housing initiatives, providing him with real-world insight that informs both his teaching and department leadership.