Bob Harris- From Blue Collar Roots to Land Use Law (#98)

Bio Bob Harris is a land use and real estate attorney with Lerch, Early and Brewer who helps landowners strategically improve the use and value of their real estate. He represents commercial, residential, and institutional landowners before planning commissions, courts, government agencies, and elected officials to obtain development approvals and protect land use rights in Montgomery County, Maryland and surrounding jurisdictions. Leading legal guide Chambers USA describes Bob as “engaged, knowledgeable, and insightful,” and The Best Lawyers in America twice has named him Washington, DC’s Land Use & Zoning “Lawyer of the Year.” He brings extensive experience and a strategic focus to housing (multifamily, walkable infill, single family, and senior), mixed-use, office, retail, and new urbanism projects. His clients include Brookfield Office Properties, Carr Properties, EYA, Pulte Homes, GEICO, Lennar Homes, Adventist Healthcare and Tri Pointe Homes. Bob advises and represents clients in land development and real estate, including master planning, zoning, subdivision, site plans, and special exceptions. This includes advocating in legislative matters at both local and state levels, and participating in court proceedings. He is experienced in issues like smart growth, traffic management, adequate public facilities controls, public infrastructure, mixed-use planned development, environmental issues, urban design, affordable housing, real estate taxation, and historic preservation. Bob is a Life Director of the Maryland Building Industry Association, he holds various positions with the Urban Land Institute, and he is a former Chair of the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce. When he’s not working, Bob, who was raised in Montgomery County, enjoys being outdoors. He is an avid skier, and has been to more than 40 resorts in five different countries. He also plays golf, bikes and is learning to the play the guitar. After a workout, he takes pleasure in good food and wine; fortunately, his wife is a gourmet cook. Show Notes The Role of a Land Use Attorney (00:06:00)Bob Harris describes his role as a land use attorney at Lerch Early and Brewer, including being a mentor and advisor to younger attorneys. Origins and Upbringing (00:08:50)Bob Harris talks about his blue-collar upbringing, his parents’ occupations, and the values of hard work and self-sufficiency that he learned from them. Working Hard and Early Jobs (00:10:20)Bob Harris discusses his early jobs, including being a waiter and an apprentice carpenter, and the importance of hard work and initiative in his life. The college experience (00:16:00)Bob talks about his experience paying for college and working to support himself while studying. Interest in business law (00:18:30)Bob discusses his fascination with business law and contracts during his college years. Transition to law school (00:22:30)Bob shares how his sister’s decision to apply to law school inspired him to pursue a legal career, despite initially not being a great student in college. The Socratic Method (00:30:30)Describes the Socratic method of teaching in law school and its impact on critical thinking and research skills. Challenging a Professor (00:32:20)Shares a story about challenging a professor in law school by using information from his own brief, highlighting the importance of research and critical thinking.