John C Talbott

John C. Talbott is a Louisville land use, zoning and real estate development attorney with more than 30 years of experience representing developers, builders, landowners, real estate investors, businesses and institutional clients throughout Kentucky. His practice focuses on complex rezonings, development approvals, land use strategy, regulatory matters, administrative appeals and related litigation.

John has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 in the field of Land Use and Zoning Law. Over his career, he has represented clients in connection with billions of dollars of commercial, industrial, mixed-use, multifamily and residential development throughout Kentucky.

Since 2018, John and Nicholas Pregliasco have solely owned and led Bardenwerper, Talbott & Pregliasco, PLLC, continuing the land use, zoning and development practice founded by William B. Bardenwerper in 1987.

Core Land Use & Development Services

John's land use and development practice includes:

Rezonings and zoning map amendments

Preliminary subdivision plans, major subdivisions and development plans

Conditional use permits

Variances and waivers

Form district changes and other zoning approvals

Nonconforming uses and vested development rights

Annexations and multi-jurisdictional development approvals

MSD, floodplain, drainage, stream and infrastructure approvals

Administrative appeals and land use litigation

John regularly represents clients before planning commissions, boards of zoning adjustment, legislative bodies and other governmental agencies. His involvement often begins before a development application is filed, helping clients evaluate zoning, access, density, infrastructure and regulatory constraints and develop an entitlement strategy appropriate for the property.

For significant or contested developments, John works closely with land planners, civil and traffic engineers, architects, environmental consultants and other development professionals to address regulatory requirements, neighborhood concerns and infrastructure issues. He is frequently retained for difficult properties and controversial projects requiring both legal strategy and experienced advocacy.

Recognition & Professional Leadership

John was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 in the field of Land Use and Zoning Law.

He was named the 2022 Associate of the Year by the Building Industry Association of Greater Louisville and serves on the BIA Board of Directors. He has also participated in land development initiatives through both the Building Industry Association of Greater Louisville and Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI).

Background & Community Involvement

John founded Talbott & Talbott, PLLC in 2000 and joined the current firm as an equity partner in 2004. In 2018, John and Nicholas Pregliasco acquired ownership and assumed leadership of the firm from founder William B. Bardenwerper.

John received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and his law degree from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, where he served as an editor of the Journal of Law and Education. He is also a graduate of Leadership Kentucky.

His community involvement has included service as President and a six-year board member of Visually Impaired Preschool Services and as a Parish Council member of St. Brigit Church.