S. Mark White is recognized as an expert in zoning and subdivision law, form-based zoning and New Urbanism, land use and takings litigation, housing, development of comprehensive growth management plans, and implementation systems. He has represented clients at every level from city, state and local governments, as well as major private developers, many of whom are involved in environmental permitting proceedings and takings litigation. Mr. White is a former partner of Freilich, Leitner & Carlisle. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in History and Political Science from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, and holds a Juris Doctor and Master of Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While in law school, Mr. White was a Research Editor for the North Carolina Journal of International Law and Commercial Regulation, and worked at the Department of City and Regional Planning as a Research Assistant in the Center of Urban and Regional Studies. He is a former President of the board of directors of the nonprofit community development group Westside Housing Organization, and is a member of the North Carolina and Missouri Bars, the American Institute of Certified Planners, and the American Planning Association. Mr. White publishes extensively on planning and land use issues. He is the co-author of the American Planning Association's model land development code (A 21st Century Land Development Code), and is a frequent speaker at the national meetings of the American Planning Association, the American Center for National and International Law, the Congress of New Urbanism, the University of Wisconsin, and various other professional organizations.

Bret has experience in both the public and private sectors since 1989, having worked for the Northland Regional Council of Governments in Central Iowa (Director of Community & Transit Planning, 1989-90), the City of Olathe, Kansas (Senior Planner, 1990-95), and Wilbur Smith Associates (National Practice Leader for Community Planning, 1995-03). Bret’s practice has focused on comprehensive planning, land development ordinances, land use and transportation studies, parks and recreation master plans, special area plans, plan implementation, and public involvement. Mr. Keast is a contributor to Community Character, Principles for Design and Planning (Island Press, 2010) and co-author of Meeting Procedures and Liability Issues for Public Officials, published in the Guide to Urban Planning in Texas Communities. He is a regular presenter at state and national planning conferences and regional workshops.