Nil Ghosh is a land use and zoning attorney working primarily in the North Carolina Triangle Region. He is a trusted advisor for navigating complex zoning and land-use approvals from local governments, particularly for projects that require balancing development, public impact, and long-term community benefit. He regularly represents landowners before elected and appointed boards for legislative and quasi-judicial approvals.

He also counsels clients as they navigate the regulatory processes for development in municipalities across the state.

Prior to joining the firm, Nil worked in land development and construction — a background that better enables him to understand and meet the needs of the community and the clients he serves.

A Durham native, he has built his professional success on his commitment to the local community. He regularly volunteers his expertise by serving on civic boards and institutions related to local development issues.

Outside of the office, you might find Nil turning wrenches underneath a car, cheering on the Tar Heels, or eating too much at the latest restaurant.

  • Triangle Business Journal 40 Under 40 Leadership Award winner (2026)
  • Best Lawyers: Land Use and Zoning Law (2024-2027), Real Estate Law (2020-2027)
  • Super Lawyers Rising Star (2023-2024)
  • Successfully obtained rezoning approval for the Park West Village Mixed-Use Center – enabling the next iteration of the central destination in Morrisville, NC.
  • Obtained approval enabling the Ascension 140 unit multifamily development to move forward.
  • Secured rezoning approval for a large-scale, mixed-use development on approximately 95 acres, allowing for up to 1,880 residential units and 49,500 sf of nonresidential space (SpaceCraft City).
  • Secured rezoning for 1.4 million sf of retail, 1,382 residential units, 300,000 sf of office, and 200 hotel rooms for a Durham NC mall evolution into the region’s premier mixed-use center.
  • Negotiated the vested right of a nearly century old church to continue its use as a religious institution
  • Assisted Habitat for Humanity in winning zoning approval for a new community
  • Secures favorable code interpretations for various aspects of development projects
  • Represents schools, industrial users, churches, and others to obtain special use permits
  • Obtains variances for an array of project types
  • Rezones projects of varying sizes for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and mixed-use developments
  • The Case for Variances in North Carolina (February 12, 2026 – Insight)
  • What to Know About Your Entity Reporting Obligations (December 10, 2024 – Client Alert)
  • Panelist, Future of Real Estate (Durham NC Convention Center, June 18, 2024)
  • Hot in the Shade: Inside Durham’s New Tree Preservation Rules for Developers (March 9, 2024 – News)
  • Plan Accordingly: The Third Circuit Delivers a Knockout Punch with Equitable Mootness in Confirmed Chapter 11 Reorganizations in In Re Philadelphia Newspapers, LLC, 23 Norton J. Bankr. L. & Prac. 224 (2014). Cited by the Honorable Circuit Judge Ambro in In re Trib. Media Co., 799 F.3d 272 (3d Cir. 2015)
  • North Carolina State Bar (2014)
  • Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority (RDUAA) (2025 – present)
  • Durham City-County Planning Commission (2015–2018)
  • Durham Central Park: Board of Directors (2017–present)
  • Durham Industrial Facilities & Pollution Control Financing Authority: Vice Chairman (2019–present)
  • Triangle Community Coalition: Board of Directors (2018–present)
A piece of advice
Happiness is a choice.