Influential Women Spotlights Kaitlin A. Gauthier: Land Use and Zoning Attorney at Lerch, Early & Brewer
Influential Women is proud to announce the inclusion of Kaitlin A. Gauthier in its prestigious 2025 series, celebrating her as an accomplished Associate in the Land Use & Zoning practice at Lerch, Early & Brewer, a full-service law firm serving clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Over the past year, Kaitlin has provided strategic support to more than a dozen partners, assisting with complex real estate development projects through every stage of the entitlement process.
Her practice spans Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, as well as Washington, D.C., where she collaborates with partners to advise developers, institutions, and property owners on a broad spectrum of land use matters. Kaitlin supports clients in securing approvals and entitlements at every stage of development—including due diligence and zoning analyses; affordable housing matters; concept and sketch plans; preliminary and site plans; subdivisions, resubdivisions, and record plats; conditional uses and special exceptions; mandatory referrals and commercial-to-residential redevelopments; expedited approval plans; variances; local map amendments and zoning text amendments; major and minor amendments; administrative and special exception modifications; permitting; appeals; and master and sector plan updates.
Whether contributing to modest or expansive projects, Kaitlin values opportunities that enhance the communities they serve. Known for her meticulous research, precise drafting, and ability to distill complex zoning codes into practical strategies, she is widely regarded as a reliable advocate for clients navigating challenging regulatory frameworks.
Before joining Lerch, Early & Brewer, Kaitlin refined her skills as a Judicial Extern with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana and as a Postgraduate Law Fellow at Georgetown University Law Center’s Federal Legislation Clinic. These experiences provided a strong foundation in legal research, drafting, and legislative advocacy, expertise she now applies to advancing client development objectives.
Kaitlin attributes much of her success and inspiration to her grandmother, Molly Eldred Abbott, who earned her Juris Doctor in 1948 from the University of Chicago. At a time when few women pursued law, Molly was one of only six women in her class—all while raising six children alongside Kaitlin’s grandfather, also an attorney. Her resilience, intellect, and trailblazing spirit instilled in Kaitlin a deep respect for the profession and a lifelong commitment to excellence. Kaitlin is equally grateful for the unwavering support of her family, mentors such as Robert Hayes and Amy Kurson, her peers at Georgetown University Law Center, and the colleagues and friends who have shaped her journey. Beyond these influences, she credits her success to qualities she strives to bring to every client matter: precision, creativity, and reliability. Kaitlin works to ensure nothing is overlooked, even under tight deadlines, and she focuses on understanding each client’s unique needs while delivering practical, innovative solutions that help their projects advance with confidence.
The best career advice Kaitlin has received is to approach every challenge with preparation and perspective. A mentor once told her that the strongest attorneys pair rigorous analysis with the ability to see the bigger picture. That guidance continues to shape her work—being meticulous in the details while keeping sight of long-term goals, and delivering solutions that are both practical and strategic for clients.
To young women entering the legal field, Kaitlin advises: “Trust your preparation and don’t be afraid to take up space. Law can feel intimidating, but your perspective is both valuable and needed. Seek out mentors, build a support network, and lean on it, especially the women who have walked the path before you. And remember, success isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room; it’s about being the voice clients and colleagues can rely on for precision, insight, and integrity.”
Kaitlin identifies one of the most significant opportunities in land use and zoning today as the ability to reimagine how communities grow. With rising demand for housing, evolving environmental standards, and a focus on mixed-use and transit-oriented development, jurisdictions in Maryland and D.C. are modernizing their codes and master plans. While these changes can be complex to navigate, they create new pathways for projects that are more sustainable, adaptable, and aligned with community needs. For clients, this means projects require thoughtful planning and creative strategies, but it also means there is real momentum behind innovative development. Whether converting underutilized commercial properties into housing, pursuing expedited approvals, or meeting ambitious environmental and community goals, today’s regulatory landscape offers opportunities to deliver projects that not only achieve entitlements but also make a lasting, positive impact.
The values that guide Kaitlin most are integrity, excellence, and service. In her work, integrity means clients can rely on her to be meticulous and candid in addressing their challenges. Excellence reflects her commitment to approaching every project with both rigor and creativity—identifying not only the immediate path forward but also long-term solutions that position clients for success. Service extends beyond clients, whether it’s supporting colleagues, mentoring students, or contributing to causes close to her heart. These same values shape her personal life, where she is inspired by family, sustained by an active lifestyle, and driven to leave every place better than she found it.
Outside the office, Kaitlin is a dedicated runner training for the Chicago Marathon, a lifelong skier who often returns west to visit family, and an explorer at heart—whether backpacking, traveling abroad, or discovering Washington, D.C.’s world-class museums. Her curiosity, discipline, and drive for excellence extend well beyond her legal practice, reflecting the same commitment, focus, and innovative thinking she brings to every client matter.
With her combination of legal expertise, client-focused strategy, and vision for community development, Kaitlin A. Gauthier exemplifies the next generation of land use and zoning professionals. Through her meticulous work, creative problem-solving, and dedication to the success of both clients and communities, she continues to make a meaningful impact on Maryland and D.C.’s built environment, while inspiring those who follow in her footsteps.
Learn More about Kaitlin A. Gauthier:
Through her Influential Women profile, https://influentialwomen.com/connect/kaitlin-gauthier or through Lerch, Early & Brewer, https://www.lerchearly.com/attorneys/kaitlin-a-gauthier/
Influential Women
Influential Women provides a platform where women from all backgrounds can connect, share their perspectives, and create content that empowers themselves and others. Through storytelling, thought leadership, and creative expression, Influential Women amplifies voices that inspire change.
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Influential Women
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