Posted by: Archipelago Law in Local Food Economy on September 1, 2023
In recognition of his pro bono legal services for farmers and food entrepreneurs, Legal Food Hub, a project of the Conservation Law Foundation, awarded Keith a Distinguished Service Award. The award was announced in their latest Annual Report. Legal Food Hub matches farmers, food entrepreneurs, and farm and food organizations with free legal help in every […]
Read MorePosted by: Archipelago Law in Environmental, Land Use, Property Law, Uncategorized on July 27, 2023
Ben Ford was featured in the following news story aired July 26, 2023. WGME reported receiving 30,000 social media hits in response. https://wgme.com/news/local/new-jersey-couple-claims-bought-piece-popham-beach-front-neighbors-cottages-dunes-ocean-beachfront-maine# PHIPPSBURG (WGME)– A New Jersey couple, who own a cottage on Popham Beach, claims they bought and now own the dunes and beach between their neighbor and the ocean. Richard and Sheila […]
Read MorePosted by: Archipelago Law in Land Use, Property Law on April 5, 2023
Outdated and inaccurate flood maps have led to an overhaul of Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood mapping which should be available to property owners, municipalities, and state governments as early as this year. These expanded floodplain designations may impede coastal development or force developers and private homeowners to purchase expensive flood insurance policies for new […]
Read MorePosted by: Archipelago Law in Land Use, Maine Roads, Property Law on December 2, 2022
Public and private rights to discontinued roads is a confusing and highly litigated area of land use law in Maine. Ownership and rights in land encumbered by a discontinued road often hinge on a case-by-case analysis of the history of the right-of-way and the method of discontinuance. When a homeowner owns land abutting a discontinued […]
Read MorePosted by: Archipelago Law in Land Use, Prescriptive Rights, Property Law on September 16, 2022
What if I told you the Maine legislature has enacted a simple process to ensure you could protect your land from adverse possession claims by others, even if only for preventive purposes. Picture this, your neighbor builds a barn and gravel driveway along your shared boundary line. You notice it looks awfully close to your […]
Read MorePosted by: Archipelago Law in Environmental, Land Use on July 26, 2022
Whether you are a construction company, developer, engineer, site designer or homeowner, you must comply with stringent state permitting laws when working near a natural resource. The Maine legislature has acted to diminish the lasting adverse impacts on natural resources in light of accelerated development. By enacting the Natural Resources Protection Act (“NRPA”), the legislature […]
Read MorePosted by: Archipelago Law in Uncategorized on July 18, 2022
Keith Richard, Principal Maine is renowned as a summer tourism destination. In Portland, even the “budget” hotels can run upwards of $400/night during the peak season. Given the shortage of rooms, and high prices, it’s no surprise that vacationers have looked to other options. Enter rental websites and apps like Airbnb and VRBO. Many Mainers have rented rooms, […]
Read MorePosted by: Archipelago Law in Land Use on June 30, 2022
The traditional suburban neighborhood lined with single family homes may be a thing of the past. That’s what Maine legislators had in mind when Governor Janet Mills recently signed Legislative Document 2003 into law. In a push for more housing and higher residential density, the law requires municipalities to allow multi-family housing in all residential zoning districts […]
Read MorePosted by: Archipelago Law in Maine Court Decisions on June 23, 2022
Keith Richard, Principal In 2021, there were a few notable trends in decisions handed down by Maine Supreme Court, sitting as the Law Court. Each involved administrative appeals from state or local government adjudications that bear important lessons for parties that appear before municipal boards. The Court’s decisions vacated (reversed or overturned) the decisions at issue on […]
Read MorePosted by: Archipelago Law in Uncategorized on February 7, 2022
The swift reaction by many jurisdictions to regulate development could have a drastic side effect for everyday Mainers in hopes of developing their land. The rate of development in Maine is at an all-time high. As a result of this unprecedented urban sprawl, municipalities may be forced to react by enacting strict land use regulations limiting the […]
Read MoreAt Archipelago we see our work differently. For us, it’s not about wood paneled conference rooms housing fine art collections. It’s not about top floor corner offices. We don’t care about parking spaces with our names on it; or even seeing our names on the building. If you need that stuff to feel successful, this is not the place for you.
Keep the focus on the client
Keep the overhead low
Keep the egos in check
If you’re tired of spending countless hours in committee meetings arguing about office supplies, we should talk. If you are tired of funding massive amounts of legacy overhead, we should talk. Most importantly, if you think your clients would be happier in a place where you are free to provide them with the best service possible, we definitely should talk.