Reno & Cavanaugh PLLC

David advises clients on zoning and land use issues and the development approval process. He works with developers to guide projects through the community and government approval process, with a special focus on sustainable development proposals. David is also an experienced litigator.

David also has significant experience with the emerging issues of drafting form-based development codes and utilizing a variety of tools to create livable communities. He has participated in the drafting and adoption of numerous development-related ordinances, including laws of general application and “specific plan” zoning districts designed to address the unique requirements of specific parcels. David is certified as a city planner by the American Planning Association's American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Major Prior Work Experience

Nashville Metro Planning Department, 2002-08, Manager of Land Development and Design Division
Attorney in solo practice, 1996-2002
Doramus & Trauger, 1993-96, Associate
Farris, Warfield & Kanaday, 1990-93, Associate
The Hon. Thomas A. Wiseman, Jr., Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, 1989-90, Clerk

David was elected to the Nashville Metro Council in November 1994 and served until August 1999, when he was unable to run for re-election due to term limits. In addition, he served a short time as an interim member of the Nashville Board of Education in 2000. Prior to attending law school, David was Upper Middle Tennessee Field Director in the gubernatorial campaign of Ned McWherter and served as press secretary to the House Democratic Caucus of the Tennessee Legislature.

Speaking Engagements/Publications

Green Infrastructure and Green Zoning, National Capital Area Chapter – American Planning Association, Washington, DC, July 18, 2009
How to Put an Affordable Housing Project Together – Zoning, Political, and Community Issues, Southeastern Regional Council, NAHRO, Memphis, TN, June 22, 2009
The Development Approval Process, Lorman Educational Services, Nashville, TN, July 9, 2008
Navigating the Maze of Land Use Regulations in Tennessee, Lorman Educational Services, Nashville, TN, February 22, 2006

Awards, Certifications, Community Activities and Professional Activities

AICP-Certified City Planner since 2011
Member, American Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and Nashville Bar Association
Member, American Planning Association
Member, Congress for the New Urbanism
University of Tennessee College of Law, Order of the Coif, High Honors
University of Tennessee Law Review, Executive/Research Editor
Building Better Communities Award, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Nashville - Davidson County, 1997
Excellence in Advocacy Award, American Cancer Society, 1998
Walk/Bike Nashville, Founder and Board Member, 1999-2009; President, 2010-present