Biography
Suzan Kedron is a partner in the Land Use practice group of Jackson Walker and helps to build our cities, making them better communities to live in.
Suzan represents real estate developers, land owners and public entities in a variety of land use and real estate development issues. Suzan’s practice focuses on the following issues: zoning, development, planning, emerging technologies seeking municipal support/approval, due diligence, public private partnerships, economic development incentives, tax increment financing, green building, permitting, affordable housing, special districts, and litigation.
Previously in her career, her law practice included corporate and white collar crime, bank fraud, evidentiary procedures, and general business litigation. Her architectural practice concentrated on upper-end residential design and construction.
Suzan is the Chair of Jackson Walker’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and Business Development Chair for the Dallas office.
Additional Languages
French, Spanish
Education
B.A., Columbia College
J.D., South Texas College of Law Houston
- LEED Green Associate
Bar Admissions
Texas, 1997
New York, 1998
District of Columbia, 1998
Court Admissions
United States District Court for the Eastern, Northern, and Southern Districts of Texas
United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Land Use and Municipal Regulations
- Zoning
- Adaptive reuse
- Master planned developments
- Mixed-use communities
- Entertainment districts
- Historic preservation
- Economic development
- Corporate relocations
- Development agreements
- Special districts
- Impact/development fees
- Mixed-income housing/fee-in-lieu
- Infrastructure rebates
- Subdivision
- Annexation
- Signage
- Transportation/micro-mobility
- Comprehensive planning
- Conservation districts
- Short term rentals
- Code interpretations/permitting
- TABC/alcoholic beverage permitting
- National Diversity Council, Certified Diversity Professional, 2021
- DiversityFIRST™ Leadership Award Winner, Texas Diversity Council, 2019
- Dallas 500: The Most Powerful Business Leaders in Dallas-Fort Worth, D CEO Magazine, 2019, 2020
- Southwest Woman of Influence, Real Estate Forum, 2015
- The Dallas Assembly Class, 2015
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Designation – Green Associate, United States Building Council (USGBC)
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2013-2023
- Land Use and Zoning Law, 2017-2023
- Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, 2023
- Real Estate, 2013-2023
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2006-2010
- “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List, D Magazine, 2005, 2012, 2015-2022
- “Best Lawyers Under 40” List, D Magazine
- One to Watch: Commercial Real Estate, D CEO Magazine, 2008
- 40 Under 40, Dallas Business Journal, 2009
Panel Discussions
- Panelist, What Law Firms Really Want (and Need) from Their Service Providers (January 25, 2023)
- Panelist, Dallas Planning & Urban Design, ForwardDallas Live! (January 27, 2022)
- Panelist, Thomson Reuters Institute, 29th Annual Marketing Partner Forum (January 20, 2022)
- Panelist, 2021 Investments Legal Summit Agenda, Teacher Retirement System of Texas (November 2, 2021)
- Panelist, DEI Panel Discussion, Toledo Group Managing Partner Meeting (October 8, 2021)
- Panelist, “Women in Leadership Webinar,” Dallas Regional Chamber (February 19, 2020)
- Panelist, “Effective 9/1/19 – House Bill 2439 – What Are the Impacts?,” AIA Dallas SPRINGBOARD (August 20, 2019)
- Panelist, “Public Policy Roundtable: Political Anatomy of a Real Estate,” The Real Estate Council (May 29, 2019)
- Panelist, “Finding the Right Site & Case Study,” The Real Estate Council (TREC) Community Fund’s Real Estate 101 Bootcamp (March 23, 2019)
- Panelist, “Smart Cities – The Future of Our Communities,” 2018 Globalaw Annual Members Meeting (GLAMM) (October 25, 2018)
- Panelist, Associate Leadership Class Alumni Panel, The Real Estate Council (June 2009)
Speaking Engagements
- Moderator, Dallas Regional Chamber, Women’s Business Conference (March 2022)
- Speaker, “Coffee & Conversation: Dallas Arts District’s CONNECT Masterplan,” AIA Dallas (April 23, 2019)
- Speaker, “The Changing Demographics of America,” 15th Annual Diversity & Leadership Conference (April 12, 2019)
- “Land Use Controls: Restrictive Covenants & Deed Restrictions,” Texas College for Judicial Studies (April 11-15, 2011)
- “Transit Oriented Development,” American Planning Association – Texas, Update on Land Use Legal Issues (June 2010); Legal Issues in Development (July 2010)
- “Form-Based Codes in Practice: The Developer’s Point of View,” TexITE 2008 Summer Meeting in San Antonio (June 2008)
- Litigation vs. Transaction Panel, SMU’s Asian American Law School Association (Oct. 2007)
- “Work/Life Balance Tune-Up for Attorneys,” DBWA Committee of the J. L. Turner Legal Association (Aug. 2007)
- Morning Keynote Speaker, Texas Association of Legal Professionals (May 2007)
- Suzan spoke at “Rail ~ Volution 1999” on creative access to local, state, and federal funds and gave a presentation on municipal annexations at a CLE program regarding planning and zoning for public officials and lawyers.
In the News
- Featured, “World Affairs Council of DFW Adds 7 Members to Its Board of Directors,” Dallas Innovates (December 19, 2022)
- Featured, “Professional Recognition,” Dallas Business Journal (August 9, 2022)
- Mentioned, “The Mansfield Rule, driving inclusion and building a firm for the future,” Passle (February 2, 2022)
- Mentioned, “A Trip to Puerto Vallarta With Dallas Real Estate Attorney Suzan Kedron,” D CEO (January-February 2020)
- Quoted, “As West Dallas’ iconic Belmont Hotel grows sad and shabby, a push to make it a historic landmark,” DallasNews by The Dallas Morning News (March 23, 2019)
- World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, Member, 2022-2023
- Dallas Citizens Council, 2021
- Dallas Regional Chamber’s Executive Women’s Roundtable, 2020
- CityLab High School Foundation Advisory Council, Member, 2019
- Momentous Institute, Board Member, 2018
- Downtown Dallas, Inc. Foundation, Board Member, 2018
- Downtown Dallas, Inc., Board Member, 2022
- MATA (McKinney Avenue Transit Authority), Board Member, 2022
- AD EX: Architecture and Design Exchange (Formerly the Dallas Center for Architecture), Board Member, 2016-present
- The Dallas Assembly, 2015-present
- Treasurer, 2022-2023
- Nominating Committee, 2020
- Dallas Theater Center
- Governance Committee, 2016
- Board of Trustees, 2015-present
- Chair of the Facilities Committee, 2015-present
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), Fellows Program, 2014
- Business Council for the Arts – Leadership Arts Institute (LAI), 2013
- Dallas Regional Chamber
- Nominating Committee, 2021
- Board of Advisors Designee
- Headquarter Relocation Committee (East), 2012-present
- Texas State Board of Pharmacy, 2007
- Texas State Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners, Former Chair
- The Real Estate Council (TREC)
- Community Fund Board of Directors, Secretary, 2020-present
- Public Policy Committee, 2018-present
- PAC Board, 2016-present
- Government Affairs Committee, 2010
- Board of Directors, 2012
- Associate Leadership Council Alumni Association
- Steering Committee, 2010
- Class, 1999-2000
- Greater Dallas Chamber – Leadership Dallas, 2000
- Leadership University Park, 2004
- Columbia University Alumni Club of North Texas – Undergraduate Admissions Committee
- Habitat for Humanity
- Board, 2005
- Executive Committee, 2009
- Land Acquisition Committee, 2006
- Dallas Alliance for Habitat Board (Habitat’s affiliated CHDO), 2006
- The First Tee of Dallas, 2004
- Women’s Business Conference, 2005
- Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) – Dallas, 2009
December 1, 2022
InsightsCity of Dallas Processes First Fee-in-Lieu Payment for Mixed Income Housing Program
By Suzan Kedron & Victoria Morris
The City of Dallas has processed its first fee-in-lieu payment as part of their Mixed Income Housing Development Bonus (MIHDB) program. On May 11, 2022, Dallas City Council approved an amendment to the MIHDB program that allows developers to participate in the MIHDB program by contributing a fee into the MIHDB Fund in lieu of having on-site or phased development.
November 17, 2022
PodcastsElevating Jackson Walker’s Commitment to DEI
JW Fast Takes Podcast | ~14 minutes
After a yearlong journey participating in the Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification process, Jackson Walker achieved not only certification, but 5.0 Certification Plus status. Suzan Kedron, chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and Chad Cole, Social Impact and Sustainability Manager, joined the Fast Takes podcast to discuss the Mansfield 5.0 program and the firm’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
November 17, 2022
NewslettersJW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – November 2022
View Jackson Walker’s November 2022 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.
October 18, 2022
SpotlightJackson Walker Achieves Mansfield 5.0 Certification Plus Status
Jackson Walker proudly announces our achievement of Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification Plus status. Our firm is one of the more than 160 law firms that successfully completed Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification Program, which ran from July 2021 to July 2022. Launched by Diversity Lab in 2017, the Mansfield Rule was designed to improve diversity within law firm and legal department leadership.
August 18, 2022
SpotlightJackson Walker Participates in Mansfield Rule 6.0 Certification Process
Jackson Walker is participating in Diversity Lab’s most challenging certification process yet in an effort to obtain Mansfield Rule 6.0 Certification. Designed to improve diversity within law firm and legal department leadership, the Mansfield Rule has become the standard for firms to track and measure their success in growing the diversity of their management committees, promoting attorneys from underrepresented communities to partnership, and ensuring diverse representation in client pitch meetings.
August 18, 2022
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
August 1, 2022
NewslettersJW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – August 2022
View Jackson Walker’s August 2022 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.
July 7, 2022
NewslettersLabor & Employment Dispatch: July 2022
View the July 2022 edition of the Labor & Employment Dispatch.
June 9, 2022
MentionsDiversity and Inclusion at the Largest Law Firm in Texas: How DEI Transformed the Culture at Jackson Walker | The Diversity Movement
Transformational change is possible, even at a 135-year-old Texas law firm.
May 16, 2022
InsightsDallas Expands Bonus Options for Developers of Mixed Income and Affordable Housing
By Suzan Kedron & Victoria Morris
On Wednesday, May 11, 2022, the Dallas City Council approved three amendments to the Mixed Income Housing Development Bonus (MIHDB) program.