Jed Collins

Legal & Policy Contributor

I spent my early career clerking for a judge who handled zoning disputes and property cases, and that experience changed how I think about law entirely. Watching a single ordinance reshape a neighborhood made me realize how much the public needs someone translating this stuff into plain English. After a stint at a municipal law office drafting housing regulations, I found my way into legal journalism and never looked back. Now I track STR legislation from draft to enactment, parse court rulings, and try to explain what it all means for the people actually affected. I have a bit of a reputation for thoroughness (I read the meeting minutes, not just the ordinance) and for my footnotes, which started as a habit from my clerking days and are now apparently part of my brand. I believe informed communities make better laws, so whether you are a host navigating permit requirements or a neighbor trying to understand a new zoning rule, my goal is to make sure you walk away feeling like you actually get it.