Augusta M. O’Neill

Augusta’s practice is focused on zoning and land use. She represents clients before various boards and commissions in Philadelphia, including the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Planning Commission, the Art Commission, and the Board of Licenses and Inspections. She regularly practices in New Jersey as well as Pennsylvania and frequently appears on behalf of national clients with matters in front of local boards and commissions.

Augusta also has a background in litigation which she uses to provide clients with unique and creative solutions to their land use questions.

Prior to joining the firm, Augusta served as a law clerk to the Honorable Jane Grall, Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division, and as a judicial intern to Justice Virginia Long of the Supreme Court of New Jersey. While pursuing her J.D. at Rutgers School of Law, Augusta served as the Research Editor for the Rutgers Law Journal, competed in the school’s internal moot court competition, and was awarded the pro bono award for significant service.

Co-author, “New City Approach to Restaurant Streeteries,” June 13, 2024

Co-author, “L&I Initiatives on Worker Certifications and Licensing of Contractors and Subcontractors,” May 28, 2024

Co-author, “Using the Zoning Code for a Historically Designated Property to Your Advantage,” May 22, 2024

Co-author, “Trial Court Disqualifies Planning Board Members From Voting on Developer Application,” May 14, 2024

Co-author, “The City of Philadelphia Releases Construction Work and Permit Bulletin Codes,” May 6, 2024

Quoted, “Zoning Amendment Tabled for Further Review in Milford Twp.,” Town and Country, August 3, 2022

Author, “Philadelphia Zoning and Land Use Legislative Updates – July 2021,” July 16, 2021

Author, “Philadelphia Zoning and Land Use Legislative Updates – June 2021,” June 17, 2021

Author, “Philadelphia Zoning and Land Use Legislative Updates – May 2021,” May 21, 2021

Quoted, “Why Frankford residents supported Rite Aid’s plea to demolish a neighborhood icon,” WHYY, November 14, 2020

Author, “Relief Available to The Restaurant and Hospitality Industries Under the Cares Act,” March 31, 2020

Author, “Will Business Owners Be Able To Recover COVID-19 Related Losses Under Their Business Interruption Insurance?” March 17, 2020

• Represented a residential developer to obtain zoning approvals to construct multi-family residential units in Philadelphia, PA.
• Represented a national hotel chain in obtaining zoning and Civic Design Review approvals to construct a hotel in northeast Philadelphia.
• Represented a national bank to obtain zoning approvals for a drive-thru ATM in numerous towns in New Jersey and suburban Philadelphia.
• Represented a national retailer in obtaining signage approvals in multiple towns in New Jersey.
• Represented a national self-storage client in obtaining local approvals and Pinelands Commission approvals for a warehouse in Winslow Township, New Jersey.
• Represented a national self-storage client in obtaining zoning approvals and construction permits in Vineland, New Jersey.
• Represented multi-family operators in obtaining rental licenses from the City of Philadelphia.
• Represented a national furniture retailer in the successful settlement of a multi-million-dollar products liability claim.
• Represented an international lighting company in a products liability claim related to a personal injury claim for more than $20 million.
• Represented helmet manufacturer in a products liability claim.
• Successfully defeated a claim of discrimination brought by a plaintiff by filing a motion to dismiss the plaintiff’s complaint in lieu of filing an answer.
• Obtained a $940,000 settlement for a group of plaintiffs in an invasion of privacy matter.
• Drafted employee handbooks for both large and small regional corporate employers.
• Represented New Jersey municipalities on a variety of labor and employment matters.
• Represented private corporations in bid contests for government contracts awarded by the State of New Jersey.