About Mary
Mary E. Costigan: Experienced Municipal and Environmental Law Counsel in Portland, Maine
Calm under pressure, dependable, and a true advocate for her clients, Mary is an experienced municipal and environmental law counselor. Having worked in the public sector for years before joining Bernstein Shur, she has a firsthand understanding of the issues faced by municipal and state employees and boards—and how to help her clients confront them. Her most recent public sector position was associate corporation counsel to the City of Portland, where she advised the city staff and council on waterfront redevelopment and rezoning, among other projects, and was a resource for numerous committees—Energy and Environmental Sustainability and Community Development Committees, to name a few. Outside of the office, she teaches a Municipal Law Course at the University of Maine School of Law.
Practice Areas
- The ins and outs of land use permitting, including subdivision and site plan review
- Zoning compliance, zoning amendments, and conditional rezoning
- Representation before local and state boards, such as planning boards, zoning boards, town councils, and the Maine Board of Environmental Protection
- General municipal law
- Administrative and judicial appeals
- Enforcement actions
- Wind power development
- Stormwater management
- Natural resource protection
Awards
- Recognized: Environmental Law, in Best Attorney USA since 2016
- Recognized: Land Use and Zoning Law, in Best Attorney USA since 2016
- Recognized: Municipal Law, in Best Attorney USA since 2016
Firms
- Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson PA
Affiliations
- University of Maine School of Law - Teaching Municipal Law Course
Languages
Mary is also very experienced in:
- The ins and outs of land use permitting, including subdivision and site plan review
- Zoning compliance, zoning amendments, and conditional rezoning
- Representation before local and state boards, such as planning boards, zoning boards, town councils, and the Maine Board of Environmental Protection
- General municipal law
- Administrative and judicial appeals
- Enforcement actions
- Wind power development
- Stormwater management
- Natural resource protection
Mary E. Costigan is a distinguished municipal and environmental law counselor based in Portland, Maine. With her calm demeanor and unwavering commitment to her clients, Mary has built an impressive career spanning both the public sector and private practice.
Her most recent position as associate corporation counsel to the City of Portland provided her with invaluable experience advising city staff and council on critical projects like waterfront redevelopment and rezoning. She continues to support these committees by sharing her expertise through teaching a Municipal Law Course at the University of Maine School of Law.
Mary's comprehensive skillset includes:
- Adeptness in land use permitting, including subdivision and site plan review
- Expertise in zoning compliance, zoning amendments, and conditional rezoning
- Representation before various local and state boards such as planning boards, zoning boards, town councils, and the Maine Board of Environmental Protection
- Adeptness in general municipal law matters including administrative and judicial appeals and enforcement actions
- Familiarity with wind power development
- Knowledgeable in stormwater management and natural resource protection
Mary's recognition as a recognized expert in Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, and Municipal Law underscores her expertise and the trust placed in her by clients. Her contributions extend beyond legal matters to include teaching at the University of Maine School of Law, where she shares her knowledge with students committed to public service.
With Mary E. Costigan's extensive experience and dedication, clients can rely on her as a strong advocate and knowledgeable counselor in municipal and environmental law issues.
Mary E. Costigan is recognized as a distinguished attorney in Portland, Maine, whose expertise spans various aspects of municipal and environmental law. Her background includes both public sector and private practice roles, providing her with comprehensive insights into the challenges faced by municipal and state employees and boards.
