Brough Law Firm

The Brough Law Firm, PLLC, is a prominent law firm based in North Carolina, with offices in Chapel Hill, Concord, and Raleigh. Since its founding in 1988 by Michael B. Brough, the firm has been dedicated to the practice of local government and land use law. With a team of eight attorneys, the firm boasts a statewide practice and a reputation for excellence in the field.

Our Expertise: Zoning, Planning, & Land-Use Law

The Brough Law Firm represents developers, individuals, and other organizations in a wide range of zoning, planning, and land-use matters. These include rezonings, special use permit applications, variance requests, appeals, and other quasi-judicial matters. The firm also handles local, state, and federal land use regulatory entitlements and proceedings, annexations, and eminent domain proceedings.

Local Government Law

The firm's expertise extends to local government law. The Brough Law Firm currently represents twenty-four municipalities and one county as general counsel and many other public entities as special counsel. The firm's attorneys provide comprehensive legal services, including litigation and appellate work, contracts, economic development, annexation, land use and zoning, eminent domain, housing authorities, personnel, and community development, including U.S. Housing and Urban Development programs.

Litigation & Appeals

The Brough Law Firm has an extensive litigation and appellate practice, representing both private clients and local governments. The firm's attorneys have argued over 130 cases in the appellate courts and have written 13 books and over 100 articles in their areas of expertise.

Our Team

The Brough Law Firm is proud of its team of accomplished attorneys. Each attorney brings a unique perspective and wealth of experience to the firm. For instance, Albert M. Benshoff, one of the firm's attorneys, graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources. He later received a Master's Degree in Regional Planning from the University of Michigan. Before becoming a lawyer, Mr. Benshoff worked as a planner for several organizations, including the Beaufort County, S.C. Planning Commission, the City of Cary, N.C., and the City of Lumberton, N.C. He became the City Attorney for Concord, N.C., where he achieved several significant accomplishments, including litigating a major zoning challenge to the new Cabarrus County jail and re-writing the Concord Development Ordinance.

S. Ellis Hankins

S. Ellis Hankins, another attorney at the firm, earned his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Regional Planning, and Law degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill. His practice focuses primarily on local government representation. Mr. Hankins provides general legal counsel to Person County and the Town of Godwin. He has also taught as a visiting professor in graduate public policy and management programs at UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, and Duke University.

In conclusion, the Brough Law Firm is a leader in the practice of zoning, planning, land-use law, and local government law. With a team of experienced attorneys, the firm provides comprehensive legal services to a diverse clientele. Whether you are a developer, an individual, a local government, or a public entity, the Brough Law Firm is equipped to handle your legal needs with professionalism and expertise.