1. Home
  2. Find a Lawyer
  3. Maryland
  4. Annapolis
  5. State, Local And Municipal Law
  6. Kevin Best

Kevin J Best

State, local, and municipal law Attorney at Annapolis, MD

5.0   9 reviews
Message
A great solicitor!
Dave
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
Border Dispute
Thomas
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
Read more reviews

About Kevin

Learn Kevin’s areas of practice.

5
Practice areas
  1. State, local, and municipal law
    65%
    Have represented Town of Upper Marlboro, Town of Forest Heights, Town of North Brentwood and Town of Eagle Harbor and several other municipal corporations.

    20 years

  2. Landlord or tenant
    13%
    residential and commercial, free consult if retained.

    20 years

  3. Land use and zoning
    10%
    variances, special exceptions, nonconforming uses, rezonings and construction permits.

    20 years

  4. Business
    8%
    business formation, dissolution, bylaws, articles, contracts

    20 years

  5. Debt collection
    2%

    20 years

  6. Residential real estate
    2%
    HOA and Condo Assoc. Law

Why pay large firm rates for quality legal representation particularly if you lease (rent or own) or manage real property, run a small business, nonprofit or homeowners association?  If you are involved in local government, I have a total of 21 years experience working for and with Maryland municipal governments and have served as a municipal attorney since soon after my admittance to the bar. 

I am currently the Town Attorney for the Towns of Forest Heights, Cottage City, North Brentwood, Eagle Harbor and Upper Marlboro in Prince George's County and am also or have been specially retained by other cities and towns.

I am also experienced in land use/zoning law particularly in Anne Arundel Co. and Prince George's County (Md.) representing developers, owners and local governments.

In addition to my core municipal practice, I also handle matters involving zoning, code enforcement, business formation and governance, homeowners association, landlord/tenant matters and tax sale certificate foreclosure of right of redemption cases.  I am primarily a municipal and general practice attorney with experience in land use, ordinance drafting, legislative advocacy, contract drafting, review & litigation, personnel and police matters and the entire spectrum of matters facing medium to small cities and towns in Maryland including litigation. I have represented clients in numerous other real estate and government-related matters.

I also enjoy real property related issues including boundary disputes, easements, riparian rights, homeowners association governance and covenant issues, and landlord tenant matters. I have formerly served as an HOA president.

I was raised in northeastern Indiana but was educated in Maryland having lived in central Maryland for the past 25 years.  A retired U.S. Marine officer (infantry) and U.S. Naval Academy graduate, and I am also retired as a lieutenant colonel in the Maryland Defense Force's Legal Directorate. 

Please don't hesitate to call ((O) or (C)) or email (). 

Photos and videos

K. Best, Oral argument before the Court of Appeals of Maryland (Oct 2018)
View more

Photos and videos

K. Best, Oral argument before the Court of Appeals of Maryland (Oct 2018)
Maryland municipal corporations proudly represented by the Law Office of Kevin J. Best.
Kevin J. Best Attorney at Law
Letterhead logo of the Law Office of Kevin J. Best
Licensed for 19 years
State DC
Status Good Standing
Acquired 2005
Updated 06/08/2022
State MD
Status Active
Acquired 2003
Updated 11/12/2022

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact Kevin

The Law Office of Kevin J. Best
106B Defense Highway
Suite A
Annapolis, MD, 21401
Message Get Directions

Reviews

Write A Review
5.0 / 5.0
  9 customer reviews
5 Star
 
100%
4 Star
 
0%
3 Star
 
0%
2 Star
 
0%
1 Star
 
0%
Posted by Dave | January 9, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
A great solicitor!
Kevin assisted us with the resolution of a claim against a particularly difficult party who insisted on appealing multiple rulings against them. What should have been settled by reasonable business people or a single hearing about the facts of the case, the defendant and his attorney insisted on using every means possible to delay and draw out the process. Although this wasn't a huge claim, the issue was based on fraudulent billing by the defendant and we wanted to see it through the entire process on a moral basis. Kevin did a great job getting the defendant to court and making our side of the case clear. We prevailed and Kevin also assisted in collecting the judgement after the defendant began stalling after the judgement was rendered. I highly recommend Kevin for your business law concerns!
Read less
Posted by Thomas | July 1, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Border Dispute
My neighbor was claiming ownership of a large piece of my property and had built a fence on it. Kevin Best review the claim with county property records and agree that I had ownership of the property. He review my property rights with me and suggest a plan of action to remove the fence and on keeping her from excising ownership of it. The plan was successful and the encroach fence was removed. Currently she is staying off the property. Kevin was more then helpful when the Home Ownership Association question the fence removal. His knowledge of HOA convention rules were very helpful in responding to the Community Association. I would hire Kevin again.
Read less
Posted by Amy | May 30, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Don't try fighting tenant issues by yourself. I wish I had known about him sooner.
My experience with the Law Office of Kevin J. Best has been a very positive one and I plan on maintaining a professional relationship with this attorney. I had been handling my particular case myself only to have it appealed (by the person suing me) twice and moved to different courts. The person has now filed their third and final appeal (allowed) with the court of appeals. I found myself in a situation where legal representation was a must. I had ten days to respond in writing to the writ of certiorari for the court of appeals. I needed an attorney-fast! I googled attorneys and found Kevin J. Best, located in Annapolis. I was pleasantly surprised when Mr. Best personally answered the phone. I was immediately able to discuss my very complicated/time sensitive situation. I scheduled an immediate office appointment (2 hours) and fees were discussed during our phone conversation so there were no surprises. I felt Mr. Best was very reasonable. During the office visit Mr. Best very clearly explained and advised me with examples on how to respond to the writ of certiorari. Since I already had a rough draft of a response and Mr. Best was not familiar with the case to date he advised me to follow through myself to keep the cost down. I worked on my response at home-emailed it to Mr. Best the next day. Within hours he revised it and put it into legal format and emailed it back to me all prepared and ready to mail to the court. This was above and beyond my expectations. All I had left to do was print, make copies and certify mail it to the court. I made the court deadline with days to spare and I filed the paperwork appropriately as required by this court's rules and guidelines- which I had no idea about. All with the help of my new attorney- Kevin J. Best. If needed Mr. Best will represent me at the court of appeals.
Read less
Posted by Rebekah | May 17, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Highly recommend
Mr. Best represented me against my landlord for failure to return the security deposit. The case ended up going to trial. We were awarded treble damages because of the egregious conduct of the defendant. Mr. Best was attentive, honest, and went above and beyond in his representation. I would highly recommend hiring him.
Posted by Diane | January 20, 2015
Awesome attorney
Kevin represented us in court with outstanding professional ability and knowledge needed to win our case. He went the extra mile to make sure we got the best representation possible and we won!!!
Posted by anonymous | February 13, 2010
Landlord Issue
Im on active duty and had a dispute with my landlord over my security deposit. Mr Best's background in the military was great comfort to me because i felt like he knew where i was coming from. Needless to say we got my security deposit back and lawyer fees aswell. I whole heartly recommend Mr Best in any issue, he was consistanly keeping me up-to-date and my wishes in tacked.
Read less
Posted by TJ Greenier | August 26, 2009
Excellent Attorney
Kevin helped us with land use matters when we were preparing to purchase our first home. His attention to detail is superb and his work made obtaining our building permit very easy. Kevin is a stand up guy, very trust worthy and strives to ensure his clients get the absolute best service. I highly recommend Kevin to anyone looking for an attorney they can count on.
Read less
Posted by anonymous | August 13, 2009
Conscientious, solid performer
Kevin is a solid performer who keeps clients informed and can quickly adapt to changing circumstances. Kevin has a keen eye for detail and a the same time can craft imaginative solutions to complex and at times poltically sensitive issues. Highy recommended.
Posted by anonymous | August 12, 2009
Good lawyer - concerned for client
Kevin communicated well with me and offered good legal advice, and consulted with other attornies as needed.
View all reviews
View less reviews

Cost

Rates
  • Hourly Rates $ 250-300 per hour
  • Retainer Sometimes
Payment methods
Cash, Check

Resume

AVVO RATING 9.8 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Principal Attorney
  • The Law Office of Kevin J. Best
  • 2010 - Present
  • Of Counsel
  • Funk & Bolton P.A.
  • 2008 - 2010
  • Associate Attorney
  • Linowes and Blocher LLP
  • 2003 - 2008
  • Manager, Research and Information Management
  • Maryland Municipal League
  • 1996 - 2003
  • Lieutenant - Captain (Infantry)
  • U.S. Marine Corps
  • 1985 - 1993
View all work experience

Education

  • University of Baltimore School of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 2003
  • George Washington University
  • MA - Masters
  • 1994
  • United States Naval Academy
  • BS - Bachelor of Science
  • 1985

Legal Cases

  • Prince George's County Maryland vs Town of Upper Marlboro MD (CAE18-45679)
  • Case settled amicably with Town obtaining control over all parking meters along pubic streets in the Town.
  • Town of Forest Heights v. Md.-Nat'l Capital Park & Planning Comm'n (Md. 2019), No. 21
  • In favor of Town (my client). Reversed the judgment of the circuit court and remand for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion.
  • Woods et al. vs. Fallsway Investment Properties LLC, Dist. Ct. of Md. for AA Co., Case No. D-07-CV-15-001426
  • Treble damages plus legal fees for Plaintiff (my client)
View all legal cases

Associations

  • Prince George's County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2011 - Present
  • International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA)
  • Member
  • 2010 - Present
  • Maryland State Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2003 - Present
  • Anne Arundel County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2003 - Present
  • Maryland Municipal Attorneys Association
  • Member
  • 2003 - Present
  • Maryland State Bar Association, State and Local Government Law Section
  • Past Chair
  • 2013 - 2014
  • International Municipal Lawyers Association (Maryland chapter)
  • Chair
  • 2009 - 2010
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Peer Review Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2019
  • Rising Star
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2013
  • Maryland State Service Medal
  • Governor of Maryland
  • 2009
  • Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal
  • United States Marine Corps
  • 1992
View all awards

Publications

  • Municipal Maryland
  • What Happens if an Applicant Disputes the Payment of a Licensing Fee?
  • 2010
  • Municipal Maryland
  • Questions and Answers
  • 2008
  • Municipal Maryland
  • Does Your City or Town Need Zoning Approval to Develop Land For a Public Building or Facility?
  • 2006
  • Municipal Maryland
  • Administrative Searches and Inspections by Municipal Code Enforcement Officers
  • 2004
  • Municipal Maryland
  • Maryland Municipal Recall Elections
  • 2003
  • Municipal Maryland
  • Model Format for Maryland Municipal Ordinances
  • 2003
  • Municipal Maryland
  • The Meaning of 'Contiguous and Adjoining' Requirements by Maryland Annexation Law
  • 2002
  • Municipal Maryland
  • Dual Offices of Profit
  • 2002
  • Municipal Maryland
  • Municipal Elections
  • 2001
  • Municipal Maryland
  • Maryland Public Information Act
  • 2000
View all publications

Speaking Engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (5)
Given (5)
Endorse Kevin
William J Colquhoun headshot
William Colquhoun
Business Attorney | Dec 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Kevin is a great attorney. He works hard for his clients and clearly is interested in providing them with great representation."
John T. Brennan headshot
John Brennan
State, local, and municipal law Attorney | Feb 12
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Mr. Best is very knowledgeable about the intricacies of municipal law and serves his clients thoughtfully and diligently. He has also impressed me with his ethics and his zeal for mastering the law to ensure that his clients get the best representation he can provide. I would not hesitate to entrust a legal matter to Kevin Best."
Jack Anthony Gullo Jr. headshot
Jack Gullo
State, local, and municipal law Attorney | Jan 20
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Kevin is a smart, thorough and conscientious attorney who has handled several sensitive cases for me. From the pleadings to appellate work, he has never disappointed. He ensures he knows all the details, all the law and the goals of the client. Aside from his legal skills, he is a personable individual that is a pleasure to work with."
Randall D. Fisher headshot
Randall Fisher
Land use and zoning Attorney | Aug 14
Relationship: Friend
"I have watched Kevin's diligence on land use matters as well as his degree of thoroughness in preparing for representation of a client. I highly recommend his work."
Benjamin Starbuck Wechsler headshot
Benjamin Wechsler
Land use and zoning Attorney | Jul 17
Relationship: Co-worker
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Mr. Best is an outstanding attorney."
Weems William Duvall Jr. headshot
Weems Duvall
General practice
Matthew Jacob Chalker headshot
Matthew Chalker
Criminal defense
John T. Brennan headshot
John Brennan
Litigation
Randall D. Fisher headshot
Randall Fisher
Trusts
Benjamin Starbuck Wechsler headshot
Benjamin Wechsler
Land use and zoning
Annapolis State, local, and municipal law Lawyer Kevin J Best
Kevin J Best
State, local, and municipal law Attorney
Annapolis, MD
Licensed for 19 years
Message