Keri L. Silvyn

Keri Silvyn has been practicing zoning and land use law in Southern Arizona for almost 30 years. She is well-known throughout the region as an expert in land use, economic development and for her role in working to expand employment opportunities in the region. Keri advises both private developers and local governments on application of zoning codes, compliance with state statutes, compliance with current land use case law, and effective public/private partnerships. She is passionate about responsible growth and creating a sustainable community.

Keri has been recognized throughout her career for her effective leadership skills, ability to achieve her clients’ goals and her impact within the region. She was selected as one of the youngest individuals to receive the Greater Tucson Leadership Tucson Woman of the Year award in 2013 when she was only 42. Keri has been listed annually as one of America’s Leading Business Lawyers in the category of Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use since the 2012 edition of Chambers USA by Chambers and Partners Publishers. Keri has been recognized annually since 2008 as a Best Lawyer in America. In 2024, she was featured on the cover of BizTucson magazine as a Woman Leader in Tucson. In 2017, Keri was recognized as Tucson’s Lawyer of the Year in the area of Land Use and Zoning Law. She has been appointed to numerous committees by the City of Tucson, Pima County and other jurisdictions to assist in selecting new regional leaders.

Keri is passionate about sustainable, appropriate, and responsible growth. Her representation has included medical campuses, retail developers, industrial complexes, office developments, mixed use developments, continuing care retirement communities, local cities and towns and tax increment financing districts.

In the community, Keri has invested time serving on numerous boards, including the Tucson Airport Authority, Sun Corridor/Chamber, Southern Arizona Leadership Council, and the Jewish Foundation of Southern Arizona, to name a few. In 2018, she was appointed by then-Governor Ducey to be an Arizona State Land Department Board of Appeals member, representing the First District which includes Pima, Santa Cruz, Cochise, Graham and Greenlee Counties.

Memberships and Affiliations

• Arizona State Land Department Board of Appeals, representing the First District including Pima, Santa Cruz, Cochise, Graham and Greenlee Counties, 2018-Present
• Sun Corridor, Inc (formerly TREO) Board Member 2012-Present
• Southern Arizona Leadership Council, Board Member 2024-Present
• Tucson Airport Authority Member, Board Member 2018-2026
• Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Board Member 2014-2016
• Flinn Brown Civic Leadership Academy, Spring, 2011
• Imagine Greater Tucson Founder and Board member, 2011-2015
• Urban Land Use Institute, Member 2009-present
• Arizona Planning Association, Member 2009-present
• Tucson Medical Center Foundation, Board Member 2004-2015
• Jewish Community Foundation: Board Member 2003-; President of the Board 2010-2013.
• Real Estate and Allied Professions: Member 1998-present; Co-Chair 2002-2004.
• University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law Board of Directors: 1999-2015, President 2004.
• Other Boards and Service including the State Bar of Arizona and Pima County Bar.

Honors/Other Distinctions

• Featured as a Woman Influencing Tucson in Biz Tucson Magazine, 2024.
• Best Lawyer, 2017 Tucson Lawyer of the Year in the area of Land Use and Zoning Law.
• Best Lawyer in Arizona, Woodward/White Inc. named annually 2008-present.
• Top Lawyer in Tucson, Tucson Lifestyle Magazine, named annually 2008-present.
• Chambers Award – recognized as a leader in the field of Planning, Zoning & Land Use, 2015
• Tucson Woman of the Year, Greater Tucson Leadership, 2013
• Gary I. Sarver Young Woman of the Year, Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, 2012
• Athena Award Tucson, Arizona Small Business Association, 2011
• Woman of Influence, Inside Tucson Business, 2010
• Judge Learned Hand Emerging Leader Award, American Jewish Committee, 2010
• Woman on the Move, YWCA, 2010
• 40 Under 40, Tucson Business Edge, 2008
• University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law, Outstanding Contributions of Distinguished Alumni Award, 2008
• Young Lawyer of the Year, State Bar of Arizona, 2005
• Up and Comer, Inside Tucson Business, 2003
• University of Arizona, Outstanding Young Alumni Volunteer, 2002

Selected Publications

• Author, “From Policy to Progress:  The Competitive Edge Starts with Zoning, 2025.
• Author, “The Sunshine Mile Overlay District: A Cooperative Effort between Rio Nuevo and City of Tucson, 2022.
• Author, “Attitudes Are A ‘Changin,’” Trend Report, August 2015
• Author, “The Whole (Plan) is Greater Than the Sum of its Parts,” Trend Report, April 2013
• Featured Zoning and Land Use Attorney, “Beyond Sprawl: Rethinking development in Tucson,” Arizona Public Media, December 2011
• Featured Land Use Attorney, “Keri Silvyn: Land Use Lawyer with Lewis and Roca and Ardent Advocate for Tucson’s Future,” Attorney at Law Magazine, November 2011
• Author, “Transportation Planning – Think BIG and BOLD,” Trend Report, November 2009
• Author, “Let’s Move the Community Forward – Now,” Biz Tucson, Summer 2009
• Author, “Greater Tucson Region- Imagine What is Possible,” Biz Tucson, April 2009; Trend Report 2009