Name: John Christopher Bannon
Address: Murray, Plumb & Murray, Portland, ME, 4101, US
Telephone: Not Available
Price range: $ 305-305 per hour
Rating: 5.0

About John

Biography

I start with the presumption that there is a favorable solution to a client's legal problems, and hold to that presumption until I am convinced, beyond any reasonable doubt, that there is no feasible remedy.

My passion is for any area of the law relating to land, whether it be zoning, municipal, environmental, real estate, easement, adverse possession, or boundary law. People's identities are often deeply rooted in where they live, how they use their land, and how others respect their rights. The right to protect one's land against trespassers, to curb inappropriate nearby development, or to gain relief from senseless government restrictions is one of the few values in society that is really worth fighting for.

Much of the time it is possible to reach a win-win settlement of a land or zoning dispute. However, when that is not possible, it is essential to hire an attorney who deeply understands the intricacies of these areas of the law. Land law is combination of the very ancient and the very modern, with all sorts of intricate procedures mixed in. It is fascinating but complicated.

There are times when I wish I were younger -- who wants to get old? However, experience has its advantages. After practicing law for 32 years, there is very little I have not seen, and few places I have not been. Nothing surprises me much. That does not mean that I'm stuck in my ways. The more you know, the more you realize how much there is left to be discovered. Leave no stone unturned.

I work with people from all walks of life. I have dealt with officials, agencies, and bureaucrats from the smallest towns in Maine to Washington DC. Although lawsuits and administrative appeals are too costly to be started without careful thought, if they cannot be avoided, I enjoy a good fight. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing the relief on a client's face when I have thrown down the last obstacle standing in their way.

I am lucky. I love what I do. I welcome all the possibilities and challenges that arrive with each new case.

No attorney can fix every problem. However, there is no attorney who will try harder than me to find you a way out of your predicament, or a means to achieve your goal.

Although it is foolish to tilt at windmills, the fact remains that you have to believe there's a solution if you are ever going to make it happen. Realism is good. Pessimism is not.

Practice Areas

Land Use and Zoning 60%

Assistance with obtaining federal, state, and municipal permits; appearances before planning boards and boards of appeal; litigation against federal, state, and municipal land use agencies; appeals to Maine Superior Court and Supreme Court; contract zoning; defense of prosecutions for violating zoning and environmental regulations; drafting regulations and ordinances; organizing opposition to development; advice on designing projects to minimize permitting and maximize likelihood of approval.

45 years | 300 cases

60%

Real Estate 30%

Representation in real estate disputes (including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, references, trials, and appeals) concerning boundaries, title to land, deed interpretation, easements and rights-of-way, adverse possession, trespass, nuisance, misplaced buildings, lands devised by will or intestacy, partition actions, water rights, paper streets, abandoned roads, and anything else dealing with rights to own or use land. No transactional work.

45 years | 100 cases

30%

Appeals 10%

Briefed and/or argued appeals in 59 reported decisions of the Maine Supreme Court, plus several more unreported decisions. Appeals primarily in areas of zoning, environmental law, municipal law, and boundary disputes.

45 years | 60 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 305-305 per hour

Payment Methods

Cash
Check
Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Maine for 45 years

State: Maine

Acquired: 1980

Inactive

No misconduct found

See All Attorney Licenses See Less Attorney Licenses

Location

Law Offices of John Christopher Bannon

Murray, Plumb & Murray, 75 Pearl Street, Portland, ME, 4101

Message Get Directions

See All Locations See Less Locations

Gallery

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

The Avvo Rating explained

John Christopher Bannon's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

5 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Debt Collection

Posted by Paul | February 13, 2013 | Debt Collection

Finest lawyer that money can't buy!

John is a rare breed in today's world; he has a legal mind capable of discerning black and white while others choose to color the world in whichever shade of gray they believe best serves their own interests. As a land development consultant, I always believed that John and I were part of a team.... As a team, we were much more effective working together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation. He is a very effective researcher. Consequently, he is always prepared for his client meetings, public hearings and courtroom appearances. Additionally, John is an innovative 'out-of-the-box' thinker when conventional approaches don't work. On another occasion, John worked tirelessly as an advocate for me in a collection matter. We ultimately prevailed through John's 'just-right combination' of attention to detail, perseverance, patience and respect for all parties involved. I would not hesitate a moment to refer any of my friends, family members or business associates to John for legal services in any of his many areas of expertise.

See Full Review Collapse Review

See All Client Reviews

John Christopher Bannon's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse John

Timothy Boulette

Land use and zoning lawyer | Sep 19

Relationship: Co-worker

"John is one of my partners at our firm, and among the lawyers within and without our firm that I esteem most highly. He is wise, thoughtful, brilliant, prepared, and, in short, the lawyer I would hire if I needed one."

Thomas Douglas

Land use and zoning lawyer | Dec 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I worked with John for 8 years. Anybody who has practiced law in Maine for any length of time knows that John is one of the more recognized land use lawyers in the state. More important is the fact that John is also a great person. True wisdom resides in this man, in addition to a thorough command of the law. For those of you seeking a land use lawyer in Maine, I can recommend John without reservation."

Sarah McDaniel

Land use and zoning lawyer | Feb 08

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"In nearly a decade of working with and opposite John Bannon, he has constantly impressed me with both his extensive knowledge of land use law and unparalleled professional integrity. John leaves no stone unturned in assessing his clients’ issues. He is a persuasive advocate in the courtroom, yet also excels at guiding his clients to reasonable solutions that preserve the client’s rights while protecting their bottom line."

See More Lawyer Endorsements See Less Lawyer Endorsements View All Endorsements

Thomas Douglas

General practice lawyer

Durward Parkinson

Land use and zoning lawyer

Sarah McDaniel

Real estate lawyer

Experience

Rating: 10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2020

Best Lawyer, Land Use & Environmental Law, Best Lawyers in America

2019

Recognition, Land Use/Zoning, Environmental Law, Appellate, SuperLawyers

2019

Lawyer of the Year, Land Use and Zoning Law, Portland, Best Lawyers in America

2018

Recognition, Land Use/Zoning, Environmental Law, Appellate, SuperLawyers

2017

Recognition, Land Use/Zoning, Environmental Law, Appellate, SuperLawyers

2017

Lawyer of the Year, Litigation-Land Use and Zoning, Portland, Best Lawyers in America

2017

Best Lawyer -- Land Use and Environmental Law, Best Lawyers in America

2016

Received AV Rating (Preeminent), Martindale-Hubbell

2016

Recognition, Land Use/Zoning, Environmental Law, Appellate, Super Lawyers

2016

Best Lawyer -- Land Use and Environmental Law, Best Lawyers in America

2015

Recognition, Land Use/Zoning, Environmental Law, Appellate, Super Lawyers

2015

Received AV Rating (Preemient), Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Best Lawyer -- Land Use and Environmental Law, Best Lawyers in America

2014

Recognition, Land Use/Zoning, Environmental Law, Appellate, Super Lawyers

2014

Best Lawyer -- Land Use and Environmental Law, Best Lawyers in America

2014

Received AV Rating (Preeminent), Martindale-Hubbell

2013

Received AV Rating (Preeminent), Martindale-Hubbell

2013

Recognition, Land Use/Zoning, Environmental Law, Appellate, Super Lawyers

2012

Best Lawyer, Land Use and Environment Law, Best Lawyers in America

2011

Best Lawyer, Land Use and Environment Law, Best Lawyers in America

2010

Best Lawyer, Land Use and Environment Law, Best Lawyers in America

2009

Best Lawyer, Land Use and Environment Law, Best Lawyers in America

2008

Best Lawyer, Land Use and Environmental Law, Best Lawyers in America

2007

Best Lawyer, Land Use and Envronmental Law, Best Lawyers in America

2006

Best Lawyer, Land Use and Enironmental Law, Best Lawyers in America

See All Honors See Less Honors

Work Experience

1981 - Present

Chair, Land Use and Environmental Law Practice Group, Murray, Plumb & Murray

See All Work Experiences See Less Work Experiences

Associations

1981 - Present

Cumberland County Bar Association

1981 - Present

Maine State Bar Association

1981 - Present

American Bar Association

See All Associations See Less Associations

Sample of Legal Cases

Christopher J. McCormick v. Michael D. LaChance et al, 2011 ME 112

Summary judgment for client in Superior Court; affirmed on appeal.

Witham Family Limited Partnership v. Town of Bar Harbor et al, 2011 ME 104;

Judgment vacated on appeal; client prevailed.

Bodack v. Town of Ogunquit, 909 A.2d 620, 2006 ME 127

Summary judgment for client in Superior Court; affirmed on appeal.

D'Angelo v. McNutt, 868 A.2d 239, 2005 ME 31;

Client prevailed after bench trial; affirmed on appeal

See More Legal Cases

Education

1980

University of Maine School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1977

Bowdoin College

BA - Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude

See All Education See Less Education

Speaking Engagements

1991

Seminar

Land Use Law

See All Speaking Engagements See Less Speaking Engagements

Publications

2004

Maine Municipal Association E-Mail and the Freedom of Access Law

2003

NBI Land Use Law Update

2002

Maine State Bar Association Land Use and Environmental Regulation

2002

Maine Municipal Association E-Mail and the Freedom of Access Law

2002

National Business Institute Seminar Land Use Law Update

2002

National Business Institute Seminar Land Use Law Update in Maine

2001

Maine State Bar Association The Intricacy of 80B/80C Appeals

1999

Maine Municipal Association The Right to Know and Electronic Data

1998

National Business Institute Seminar Land Use Law Update in Maine

1998

National Business Institute Seminar Land Use Law Update in Maine

1997

National Business Institute Seminar Land Use Law Update in Maine

1996

National Business Institute Seminar Major Land Use Laws in Maine

1996

National Business Institute Seminar Practical Guide to Land Use Law

1995

National Business Institute Seminar Environmental Law: What Every Property Owner and Lender Must Know

1995

National Business Institute Seminar Major Land Use Laws In Maine

1995

CISI Maine Real Estate Law for Paralegals

1994

National Business Institute Seminar Hazardous Waste

1994

National Business Institute Seminar Land Use Law Update

1993

NBI Real Estate Impact of Bankruptcy and Environmental Law

1993

National Business Institute Seminar Advanced Real Estate

1992

National Business Institute Seminar Advanced Real Estate

1992

National Business Institute Seminar Land Use Law

1991

National Business Institute Seminar Advanced Land Use Law

1991

National Business Institute Seminar Land Use Law

See All Publications See Less Publications

Languages

English

See All Languages Spoken See Less Languages Spoken

Activity

Legal Answers

Q&A

Can I write a letter to the judge in my divorce/custody hearing ?

22 Feb 2013

Q&A

Why am I paying taxes on easement [driveway] property?

20 Feb 2013

Q&A

Garage built too close to property line

16 Feb 2013

See More Legal Answers