Our clients have a dream for the use of their property. We are committed to making those dreams a reality.

One of Northern Virginia's top land use attorneys launches her own firm

Colleen Gillis, a longtime partner with Cooley LLP, left that firm on April 3 and launched Curata Partners the next day. Joining her from Cooley are Molly Novotny and Ben Wales, both planning and development specialists. ‘I’d been at Cooley for almost 20 years and Ben and Molly each nearly as long,’ Gillis said in an email. ‘Given the complex nature of our work and our widening client base, the time seemed right to stand our ever growing practice up as an independent firm for this next stage of our careers and the overall advancement of Northern Virginia’s rapid development.

As for the name “Curata,” she said it derives from the root word of curate. “When we think about how we work with our clients and in our communities, we strive to curate exceptional communities, projects and developments.

Leesburg eliminates by-right data center zoning

On Tuesday, 5/14, the Leesburg town counsel voted to remove by-right data center zoning. The move will now require a special exception for all data centers and substations where they were previously allowed without any legislative approvals. Curata Partners’ Molly Novotny was on hand for the vote and is quoted in this summary article from the Loudoun Times Mirror.

How one woman is shaping Loudoun's redevelopment

Colleen Gillis continues to rack up approvals that frame the commercial and residential landscape in one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation. She’s done this countless times before, on behalf of some of the largest, most complex developments Loudoun County has ever considered.