Attorneys

Harold B. Yellin

Partner

200 E. Saint Julian Street
P.O. Box 9848
Savannah, GA 31412
Tel 912.236.0261
Fax 912.236.4936

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EDUCATION

Emory University School of Law: J.D., 1982

Emory University: M.B.A., 1982

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: B.A., 1977

LICENSED TO PRACTICE

Georgia

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Savannah Bar Association

State Bar of Georgia

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Congregation Bnai Brith Jacob: Board of Directors, President

Savannah Jewish Federation: Board of Directors, President

Savannah Music Festival: Board of Directors, Chairman

Silent Witness: Board of Directors, Chairman

Union Mission: Board of Directors

Workmen’s Circle Credit Union: Board of Directors, Chairman; Executive Committee, Member

Experience

Harold Yellin is a partner in the Savannah office, practicing in the areas of commercial real estate, zoning/land use, and commercial leasing. Harold has broad experience in commercial real estate matters, including the purchase, sale, and refinance of retail shopping centers, hotels and motels, and office, industrial, and mixed-use developments. He is actively involved in the negotiation and drafting of commercial sales contracts and commercial leases on behalf of owners of shopping centers and office and industrial parks.

Harold also has extensive experience representing developers and other clients in various zoning and land use matters before local governmental bodies in the metropolitan Savannah area, including the Savannah City Council, Chatham County Commission, Chatham-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission, and the Savannah Historic Review Board.

Harold has served as president of Congregation Bnai Brith Jacob, president of the Savannah Jewish Federation, chairman of the Savannah Jewish Federation Endowment Fund, chairman of the Savannah Music Festival, and chairman of the board of directors of Silent Witness. He is chairman of the board of directors and a member of the Executive Committee for the Workmen’s Circle Credit Union. Harold has previously served on the board of directors of Union Mission and as chairman of the Attorneys Division of the United Way Campaign.

Harold graduated from the University of North Carolina with a B.A. in 1977 and from Emory University with an M.B.A. and a J.D. in 1982. While in law school, Harold served as managing editor of the Emory Law Review.

Recognition

Best Lawyers Award Badge

Best Lawyers in America: Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Land Use & Zoning Law; 2008-2022

Best Lawyers is the oldest and most highly-respected peer review guide to the legal profession worldwide. A listing in Best Lawyers is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, conferred on a lawyer by his or her peers.

Lawyer of the Year: Real Estate Law, 2011 & 2020

Georgia Super Lawyers: Real Estate Law, 2005-2019

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.

Savannah Morning News Business Advocate of the Year: 2014

Harold Yellin was named Business Advocate of the Year for 2014. Each December, the Savannah Morning News and Business in Savannah profile companies and organizations that made major contributions to the local business environment during the past year.

Georgia Trend Magazine Legal Elite: 2012

Georgia Trend Magazine’s annual listing of Georgia’s top attorneys, selected by their peers. The list includes eight practice areas: business law; personal injury litigation; criminal law; labor and employment; taxes, estates and trusts; bankruptcy and creditors’ rights; family law; and general practice/trial law.

Martindale-Hubbell: AV Rated

The Martindale-Hubbell® PEER REVIEW RATINGS™ are an objective indicator of a lawyer’s high ethical standards and professional ability, generated from evaluations of lawyers by other members of the bar and the judiciary in the United States and Canada.

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Publications & Presentations

Publications

Takeaways from the 2014 Critical Issues Forum: Creating the Best Downtowns in America

HunterMaclean held its annual speaker series, the Critical Issues Forum, on October 8 at Savannah Technical College. The Firm has presented the Critical Issues Forum in Savannah each year since 2004 and in Brunswick since 2012, bringing together leaders from industry, government, education, and non-profit organizations for a breakfast gathering to hear speakers on important issues. This year, HunterMaclean partnered with the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) for a forum titled Building the Best Downtowns in America: A Conversation with Mayor Knox White.

Government Relations: The Intersection of Regulation, Public Policy, and Business

HunterMaclean attorney Harold Yellin explains how government relations lawyers can help navigate clients through complex regulatory, legislative, and public policy concerns.

Zoning Classifications Serve as Important Considerations

By Harold B. Yellin, published on July 6, 2011, in Business in Savannah.

When negotiating contracts for the purchase and sale of real estate, consideration must be given to the zoning classification and the related land use requirements of applicable zoning ordinances.

If you are buying commercial real estate that is raw land, the buyer must research the applicable zoning classification and determine which uses are permitted within the zoning classification. Zoning districts vary considerably from municipality to municipality, so great care should be taken when buying real estate. Do not assume that a particular use will permitted, for example, in a commercial district, just because the same use is permitted in a different municipality’s commercial district.

Battelstein vs. Internal Revenue Service: Deductibility of Interest Payments Financed by Additional Loans from the Same Lender

By Harold B. Yellin, published in The Tax Lawyer 35, no. 1 (Fall 1981).

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News

28 HunterMaclean Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023

HunterMaclean is pleased to announce that 28 attorneys from the firm were recently selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America^© 2023. Founded in 1983, Best Lawyers is an annual publication that recognizes attorneys for outstanding achievements in their areas of practice.

31 HunterMaclean Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022

Thirty-one attorneys from HunterMaclean were recently selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America^© 2022. Founded in 1983, Best Lawyers is an annual publication that recognizes attorneys for outstanding achievements in their areas of practice.

29 HunterMaclean Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021

25 HunterMaclean Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2020

Fourteen HunterMaclean Attorneys Recognized as 2019 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

HunterMaclean was recently honored with the selection of eleven attorneys as 2019 Georgia Super Lawyers and three attorneys as 2019 Rising Stars. Attorneys are selected based upon peer review, professional achievements, and independent research.

23 HunterMaclean Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019

HunterMaclean is pleased to announce that 23 attorneys from the firm were recently selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America^© 2019. Best Lawyers is an annual publication that recognizes attorneys for outstanding achievements in their area of practice.

Eighteen HunterMaclean Attorneys Recognized as 2018 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

HunterMaclean was recently honored with the selection of thirteen HunterMaclean attorneys as 2018 Georgia Super Lawyers and five attorneys as 2018 Rising Stars.

23 HunterMaclean Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018

HunterMaclean is pleased to announce that 23 attorneys from the firm were recently selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America^© 2018. Best Lawyers recognizes attorneys for significant achievements in their area of practice.

Thirteen HunterMaclean Attorneys Recognized as 2017 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

HunterMaclean was recently honored with the selection of eight HunterMaclean attorneys as 2017 Georgia Super Lawyers and five attorneys as 2017 Rising Stars. Attorneys are selected based upon peer review, professional achievements, and independent research.

21 HunterMaclean Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2017

HunterMaclean is pleased to announce that 21 attorneys were recently selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America^© 2017. Best Lawyers, which is published annually in almost 70 countries, recognizes attorneys for outstanding achievements in their area of practice.

Fifteen HunterMaclean Attorneys Recognized as 2016 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Ten HunterMaclean attorneys were recently selected as 2016 Georgia Super Lawyers and five attorneys as 2016 Rising Stars. The prestigious Super Lawyers honor, awarded annually, represents the top five percent of attorneys in each state in the nation.

HunterMaclean Recognized by Southern Business & Development as one of Georgia’s Best Economic Development Law Firms

HunterMaclean was recently named one of Georgia’s Best Economic Development Law Firms in Southern Business & Development’s first annual “Best of Economic Development in Georgia.”

20 HunterMaclean Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2016

HunterMaclean, a leading business law firm with offices in Savannah and Brunswick, is pleased to announce that 20 attorneys from the firm were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2016.

Thirteen HunterMaclean Attorneys Honored as 2015 Georgia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

HunterMaclean attorneys were recently honored as 2015 Georgia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. The prestigious Georgia Super Lawyer honor is awarded annually to the top five percent of attorneys in the state.

Savannah Morning News Business Advocate of the Year: Harold Yellin

Harold Yellin, a commercial real estate and zoning/land use attorney, was named Business Advocate of the Year for 2014. Julia Ritchey interviewed him for a feature article in the Savannah Morning News.

HunterMaclean Attorneys Selected For The Best Lawyers in America® 2015

HunterMaclean is pleased to announce that 22 lawyers from the firm were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2015.

Savannah Morning News: Broughton Street Property Greenlighted for Demoliton

Demolition plans are a go for 240 W. Broughton Street after the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to overturn a decision by the Historic District Board of Review denying that request. The petitioner, HunterMaclean partner Harold Yellin representing Ben Carter Enterprises, said the historic board had abused its discretion during the May 14 hearing by designating the property historic. The zoning board’s action means the Metropolitan Planning Commission will now issue a COA, certificate of appropriateness, allowing demolition.

SavannahCEO: City Council Gives Kessler Big Thumbs-Up

Attorney Harold Yellin helped mega-hotel developer Richard C. Kessler get City Council approval for Kessler’s newest building project in Savannah. The process included an amendment to an existing height restriction ordinance that limits the height of new structures in Savannah’s Historic District.

Harold Yellin Discusses the Savannah Music Festival on GPB's 'Georgia Works'

Harold Yellin is interviewed on Georgia Public Broadcasting’s radio show Georgia Works about the Savannah Music Festival. Chip Rogers leads a discussion about the educational, community, and economic impact of Georgia’s largest and most unique music festival.

Fifteen HunterMaclean Attorneys Honored as 2014 Georgia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Atlanta magazine just announced the top attorneys in the state of Georgia, and 15 attorneys at HunterMaclean were named either Georgia Super Lawyers or Rising Stars.

25 HunterMaclean Attorneys Selected for The Best Lawyers in America® 2014

HunterMaclean is pleased to announce that 25 lawyers from the firm were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2014.

HunterMaclean Attorneys Honored as Georgia Super Lawyers, Rising Stars

Nine HunterMaclean attorneys were recently recognized as Georgia Super Lawyers. Two of the firm’s partners were also named Rising Stars.

Partner Harold Yellin Featured in Business in Savannah for Savannah Music Festival Leadership

HunterMaclean partner Harold Yellin was featured in the March 6, 2013 issue of Business in Savannah for his involvement with the Savannah Music Festival.

Record Number of HunterMaclean Attorneys Selected for Georgia Trend’s 2012 “Legal Elite” Issue

Georgia Trend honored 14 HunterMaclean attorneys in the magazine’s annual “Legal Elite” issue, which recognizes the top attorneys in the state of Georgia.

28 HunterMaclean Attorneys Among 'Best'

HunterMaclean, a business law firm with offices in Savannah and Brunswick, has announced that 28 lawyers from the firm were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2013.

HunterMaclean Partner Harold B. Yellin Named Savannah Music Festival Chairman

The Savannah Music Festival recently named HunterMaclean partner Harold B. Yellin the chairman of the non-profit organization’s board of directors.

10 HunterMaclean Attorneys Honored as Georgia Super Lawyers

Ten HunterMaclean attorneys have been selected as 2012 Georgia Super Lawyers. Atlanta Magazine will honor the firm’s attorneys in the March 2012 issue.

The prestigious Georgia Super Lawyer honor is awarded annually to the top five percent of attorneys in the state, as chosen by their peers and through independent research.

Record Number of HunterMaclean Attorneys Selected for The Best Lawyers in America for 2012

HunterMaclean, a leading business law firm with offices in Savannah and Brunswick, is pleased to announce that Best Lawyers in America, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, recently honored a record 23 HunterMaclean attorneys by including them on this prestigious list of leading lawyers.

“We are delighted to have a record number of attorneys from our firm featured on this year’s Best Lawyers in America list,” said Frank S. Macgill, HunterMaclean’s managing partner. “This honor reflects hard work on the part of the firm’s partners and associates.”

10 HunterMaclean Attorneys Honored as Georgia Super Lawyers for 2011

Atlanta Magazine recently recognized 10 HunterMaclean attorneys as Georgia Super Lawyers in its March 2011 issue.

The prestigious Georgia Super Lawyers honor is given annually to the top five percent of attorneys in the state, as chosen by their peers and through independent research by Law & Politics, a magazine which published the first list of Super Lawyers 20 years ago.

Record Number of HunterMaclean Attorneys Selected for The Best Lawyers in America for 2011

The Best Lawyers in America® for 2011, a confidential peer-review survey, recently honored a record 28 HunterMaclean attorneys by including them on this prestigious list of leading lawyers. Last year, 20 attorneys at HunterMaclean earned this top honor.

“We’re delighted to have a record number of attorneys from our firm featured on this year’s Best Lawyers in America list,” said Frank S. Macgill, HunterMaclean’s managing partner. “Our attorneys work hard for our clients and it shows.”

HunterMaclean Partners David F. Sipple and Harold B. Yellin Selected as "Best Lawyers" for 2011

Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, recently named Harold B. Yellin the “Best Lawyers 2011 Savannah Real Estate Lawyer of the Year” and David F. Sipple the “Best Lawyers 2011 Savannah Maritime Lawyer of the Year.”

After more than a quarter of a century in publication, Best Lawyers is designating “Lawyers of the Year” in high-profile legal specialties in large legal communities. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is being honored as the “Lawyer of the Year.”

Nine HunterMaclean Attorneys Honored as Georgia Super Lawyers for 2010

Atlanta Magazine recently named nine HunterMaclean attorneys as Georgia Super Lawyers in its March 2010 issue. The prestigious Georgia Super Lawyershonor is given annually to the top five percent of attorneys in the state, as chosen by their peers and through independent research by Law & Politics, a magazine which published the first list of Super Lawyers 19 years ago.

Frank S. Macgill Named Managing Partner At HunterMaclean

The partners at HunterMaclean, a leading law firm in Savannah, Ga., recently elected Administrative Partner and tax attorney Frank S. Macgill to serve as the firm’s Managing Partner for a three-year term.

Macgill will provide long-term vision and experienced leadership for HunterMaclean. He succeeds John M. Tatum, who served as Managing Partner for 12 years. Macgill served on the management committee with Tatum for three years, helping to ensure a smooth planned transition for the firm’s senior management. Additional members of HunterMaclean’s management team include Harold Yellin, Wade Herring and Kirby Mason.

Record Number of HunterMaclean Attorneys Selected for The Best Lawyers in America for 2010

The Best Lawyers in America for 2010, a confidential peer-review survey, recently honored a record 20 HunterMaclean attorneys by including them on this prestigious list of leading lawyers. Last year, 18 attorneys at HunterMaclean earned this top honor.

“We are delighted to have a record number of attorneys from our firm featured on this year’s Best Lawyers in America list,” said John M. Tatum, HunterMaclean’s managing partner. “Our attorneys work hard for our clients and it shows.”

11 HunterMaclean Attorneys named 2009 Georgia Super Lawyers

Atlanta Magazine recently named 11 HunterMaclean attorneys as Georgia Super Lawyers in its March 2009 issue. The prestigious Georgia Super Lawyers honor is given annually to the top five percent of attorneys in the state, as chosen by their peers and through independent research by Law & Politics, a magazine which published the first list of Super Lawyers 18 years ago.

Eighteen HunterMaclean Attorneys Named 2009 Best Lawyers in America

Eighteen leading attorneys with HunterMaclean were recently named to The Best Lawyers in America listing for 2009, a confidential peer-review survey, breaking the firm record set for 2008, when 16 attorneys earned this top honor.

Record Number of HunterMaclean Attorneys Selected for The Best Lawyers in America for 2008

Sixteen top attorneys with HunterMaclean were recently named to The Best Lawyers in America listing for 2008, a confidential peer-review survey.

HunterMaclean Honored by Southern Business and Development Magazine as One of "Top 10 Law Firms That Understand Economic Development"

Southern Business and Development Magazine recently selected Savannah-based HunterMaclean as one of the “Top 10 Law Firms That Understand Economic Development.”

A feature-length article in the Winter 2008 issue of the magazine calls HunterMaclean “the leading business law firm in Georgia outside of Atlanta for over 100 years,” adding that “the firm has been the leading legal voice for businesses locating or expanding into the coastal Georgia area.”

Congratulations to HunterMaclean's 2008 Super Lawyers

Atlanta Magazine recently named 11 HunterMaclean attorneys as Georgia Super Lawyers in its March 2008 issue. The prestigious Georgia Super Lawyers honor is given annually to the top five percent of attorneys in the state, as chosen by their peers and through independent research by Law & Politics, a magazine which published the first list of Super Lawyers 17 years ago

Atlanta Magazine Names 11 HunterMaclean Attorneys to Prestigious Georgia Super Lawyers List

Atlanta Magazine recently named 11 HunterMaclean attorneys as Georgia Super Lawyers in its March 2007 issue. The Georgia Super Lawyers honor is given annually to the top five percent of attorneys in the state, as chosen by their peers and through independent research by Law & Politics, a magazine which published the first list of Super Lawyers 16 years ago.

HunterMaclean’s attorneys were selected after ballots were sent to Georgia lawyers who have been licensed in the state for five years or more. Listed in the Georgia Super Lawyers 2007 publication as well as in a special edition of Atlanta Magazine, the attorneys are organized by their primary areas of practice.

Atlanta Magazine Names Nine HunterMaclean Attorneys to Prestigious Georgia Super Lawyers List

Atlanta Magazine has named nine HunterMaclean attorneys as Georgia Super Lawyers in its March 2006 issue. The Georgia Super Lawyershonor is given annually to the top five percent of attorneys in the state, as chosen by their peers and through independent research by Law & Politics, a magazine which published the first list of Super Lawyers 15 years ago.

HunterMaclean’s attorneys were selected after ballots were sent to Georgia lawyers who have been licensed in the state for five years or more. Listed in the Georgia Super Lawyers 2006 publication as well as in a special edition of Atlanta Magazine, the attorneys are organized by their primary areas of practice.

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Videos & Podcasts

Videos

Harold Yellin Zoning and Land Use Recipe for Growth

The 2014 Savannah Critical Issues Forum, titled Creating the Best Downtowns in America: A Conversation with Mayor Knox White was held October 8 at Savannah Technical College. This year’s Forum was presented in partnership with the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and the Savannah Economic Development Authority.

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Podcasts

Podcast: Harold Yellin and the Savannah Music Festival on GPB

Harold Yellin is interviewed on the Georgia Public Broadcasting show ‘Georgia Works’ about the Savannah Music Festival, now in its 25th year.