Our Professional Staff

S. Mark White is recognized as an expert in zoning and subdivision law, form-based zoning and New Urbanism, land use and takings litigation, housing, development of comprehensive growth management plans, and implementation systems. He has represented clients at every level from city, state and local governments, as well as major private developers, many of whom are involved in environmental permitting proceedings and takings litigation. 

Mr. White is a former partner of Freilich, Leitner & Carlisle. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in History and Political Science from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, and holds a Juris Doctor and Master of Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While in law school, Mr. White was a Research Editor for the North Carolina Journal of International Law and Commercial Regulation, and worked at the Department of City and Regional Planning as a Research Assistant in the Center of Urban and Regional Studies. He is a former President of the board of directors of the nonprofit community development group Westside Housing Organization, and is a member of the North Carolina and Missouri Bars, the American Institute of Certified Planners, and the American Planning Association. 

Mr. White publishes extensively on planning and land use issues.  He is the co-author of the American Planning Association's model land development code ( A 21st Century Land Development Code ), and is a frequent speaker at the national meetings of the American Planning Association, the American Center for National and International Law, the Congress of New Urbanism, the University of Wisconsin, and various other professional organizations.

Tyson Smith has a diversity of experience in local government and land use planning and law, with a particular focus on growth management, capital funding techniques, and land use compatibility. Mr. Smith’s practice, in both the public and private sectors, has involved land use impact assessments and legal defense, impact fees, concurrency management, short-term rentals, military encroachment planning, affordable housing, agricultural preservation, telecommunications planning, transferable development rights, bike and pedestrian planning, and growth management systems.

Mr. Smith also has defended and advised clients in matters involving regulatory takings, exactions, due process, equal protection, and the limits of statutory authority.  

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1991), and he holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning and a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida.   Before beginning his legal career, Mr. Smith was a planner with the Monroe County Division of Growth Management in the Florida Keys. He later served as the Assistant City Planner for the City of Key West, Florida. In these positions, Mr. Smith gained experience in matters of affordable housing, growth management, residential/commercial land use compatibility, transportation, and concurrency, as well as a number of other local government issues.

Mr. Smith also is a certified civil and family court mediator.

Kelly Cousino brings over 18 years of local government experience to White & Smith’s planning projects. She is skilled at the local government process and, in particular, interfacing with the public and appointed and elected officials.  Kelly brings experience assisting citizens, business owners, developers, engineers, architects, and real estate professionals with interpretation and application of Zoning Code and Land Development Regulation requirements.   In addition, Kelly has experience leading the development of local government Comprehensive Plans and, notably, the development of implementing ordinances and code amendments, including the comprehensive overhaul of local government zoning codes.

Finally, Kelly has experience running growth management programming in high growth areas and applying for and administering grants at the local government level.

Education 

Master of Public Administration | Appalachian State University

BA, Environmental Studies | University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Sean Scoopmire is a planner and attorney who joined White & Smith in 2020. Sean brings the experiences from a 20-year career practicing law to planning, including advocating for public and private sector clients in litigation, analyzing complex legal issues, and mediating disputes. 

Sean’s practice with White & Smith includes general updates to local governments’ zoning and land development regulations. Sean’s work mainly focuses on sign code updates, wireless telecommunications regulations, tree ordinances, zoning and subdivision procedures, and implementation of military compatibility Joint Land Use Studies. Sean has experience leading public meetings, evaluating and developing ordinances, planning for community and economic development, and working with diverse stakeholders, staff, and elected and appointed officials.

Sean lives in Greenville, South Carolina, where he has served on the City’s Arts in Public Places Commission, and he has given presentations on sign regulations and placemaking using public art at state and national planning conferences.

Justin Wallace brings over 10 years of public and private sector experience to White & Smith’s planning efforts. His expertise blends his planning, urban design, and architectural background to bring creative problem solving and design solutions to the table.

Justin has collaborated with communities on planning efforts and has been involved with master planning, policy, and zoning implementation. He enjoys the process of helping communities define an overall vision, develop strong policy guidance, and implement through regulatory tools and, in particular, how design can play a significant role in the formation of character areas, framework plans, illustrative plans, as well as other visual methods as part of the process.

He has several years of experience working in local government where he guided form-based codes, zoning, and best practices in urban design. He is familiar with the local government process, interfacing with the public, development community, and elected officials, and has served on and facilitated design review boards.

Early on in his career, Justin worked on architectural projects throughout South Carolina and Georgia. He has worked on projects ranging from historic preservation/adaptive reuse, residential, public, institutional, and commercial specialization and worked with local jurisdictions to bring these projects successfully through the codes and permitting process.

In his role at White & Smith, Justin is currently working on planning and zoning projects for clients throughout the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest.

Caitlin Cameron has 20 years of experience in private-sector architecture, public-sector planning and urban design, and non-profit and education roles to advance the values of sustainability and high-quality design in the built environment.  Prior to joining White & Smith, Caitlin served as the Urban Designer for the City of Portland, Maine from 2013 to 2021.  

Interests and expertise include design policy and regulation, form-based code, urban design project management, public art administration, community-based design processes, and land use policy.

Caitlin has taught adjunct at Ball State University and University of Southern Maine on subjects including public engagement, comprehensive planning, and a Solar Decathlon project.  

Caitlin also has worked in the San Francisco Bay Area in private firms and as a volunteer designer with organizations such as Architecture for Humanity.

At home, Caitlin serves as Vice Chair of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board.  And, as a resident of Ecovillage at Ithaca and former Project Director for Thrive Ithaca Ecovillage Education Center, advocates for sustainable, connected community development by raising awareness of ecovillage and cohousing models.