John is now fully retired, and thus, is no longer engaged in the practice of law.

With John’s recent retirement, he leaves a wealth of knowledge to those that he has mentored over the years. If you are seeking assistance with Land Use, please reach out to Sean R. Turley or Michael D. Traister.

Since joining Murray Plumb & Murray in 1981, John worked intensively with virtually every type of law governing Maine land use and regulation. His extensive experience assisting clients in obtaining development permits for projects ranging from small businesses and residential subdivisions to big-box retail stores and multi-million dollar utility plants was invaluable.

John devoted much of his attention to the investigation and litigation of complex real estate disputes concerning ancient titles, parcel boundaries, location and rights in easements and rights-of-ways, conflicting claims to “paper streets” in old subdivisions, adverse possession and prescriptive rights – in short, virtually any conflict that can arise between neighboring property owners.

John frequently litigated cases in Superior Courts throughout the State and argued more than 50 cases before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. He was also adept at representing clients in mediations and frequently achieved cost-effective and creative solutions to what would otherwise have become expensive and time-consuming court battles.

A partner of the firm since 1987, John was widely recognized for his expertise in all aspects of governmental law. Since the early 1980s, he represented countless people and businesses in litigation against municipalities and other governmental agencies, including defense against prosecutions for alleged zoning and environmental violations. He appeared before the EPA, FERC, FAA, and Army Corps of Engineers at the federal level; the BEP, DEP, DEH, DHHS, and LUPC at the state level; and, before the zoning and planning boards, taxing authorities, business licensing agencies, boards of selectmen, and town councils of most municipalities in Maine.

John was listed on the Best Lawyers list every year since 2008, and was recognized as Lawyer of the Year for 2017, 2019 and 2022 in Litigation – Land Use and Zoning in Maine. He had been selected by his peers for inclusion in the New England Super Lawyers every year since 2014, and was also AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell.

“Master of property dispute resolution. Meeting and working with John Bannon was the bright spot of an unpleasant property dispute with our neighbor. He’s super-smart but able to explain complicated matters in lay terms. His research skills and doggedness were fantastic and made all the difference in our case. A voice of intelligence, reason and calm, an iron fist in a velvet glove, an excellent lawyer.” – anonymous feedback from AVVO.com