Experience

Helen joined Pierce Atwood in 1996.  Helen’s practice focuses on land use law and planning, with an emphasis on local and state permitting for complex development projects. She is experienced in both compliance and transactional aspects of environmental and land use law. Helen has represented major private and institutional developers before a variety of local, state and federal agencies, successfully gaining approval for controversial developments. With her background in land use planning and extensive experience before local and state regulatory authorities, Helen is able to provide valuable services to clients from initial project inception and feasibility analyses through administrative review processes and public hearings, final project implementation, and, when necessary, appellate litigation. She has also orchestrated diverse real estate transactions necessary to bring projects to fruition after approval.

Prior to her association with Pierce Atwood, Helen worked in Connecticut, first as a transportation planner and then as an attorney, allowing her to gain experience in the full range of local, state and federal land use and environmental permitting and compliance issues.

Publications

Helen is a regular contributor to several local and regional land use-related publications, and has authored a variety of articles on land use law, including: "Permit Holders Beware: Maine Law Court Finds "Good Cause" Exception to Deadline for Land Use Appeal," New England’s Environment (November/December 2003), "Land Use: Welcome Guidance from the Law Court," Maine Lawyers Review (July 19, 2000), "Federalism and Land Use: Has the Supreme Court Taken Takings from the States?", 28 Urban Lawyer (Summer 1996) (with Matthew J. Cholewa), "Zoning and the Elderly: Issues for the 21st Century," Land Use Law and Zoning Digest (March 1995) and "Land Use and Zoning Law: Recent Developments in the Second Circuit 1996," published in Quinnipiac Law Review (the latter two with Dwight H. Merriam, A.I.C.P.).

Professional Activities

Helen is currently a member of the Maine State and Connecticut Bar Associations. She is also a member of the American Planning Association, Northern New England Chapter, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Maine Association of Planners.