Environmental Law Land Use and Zoning Law
Brian M. Rayback
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Brian Rayback focuses his practice on environmental and land use law, with expertise in all aspects of water, air, natural resources, solid waste, and zoning regulation.
Brian provides cost-effective, strategic advice on project permitting, enforcement matters, appeals of agency decisions, regulatory compliance, and legislative issues for property developers and owners, trade associations, utilities, construction companies, and industrial and manufacturing facilities. He regularly appears before federal, state, and local boards and agencies to assist clients in navigating the complex and often overlapping array of environmental and land use regulations.
Brian is the Chair of Pierce Atwood's Environmental Practice Group.
Overview
- Georgetown University, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, graduated 1998
- Colby College, B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, graduated 1995
- United States, Maine
- United States, Massachusetts
- American Bar Association's Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, State and Regional Environmental Cooperation Committee - Vice Chair (2010-2015)
- Maine State Bar Association's Continuing Legal Education Committee - Member (2009-2016)
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
- Maine - Supreme Court
- United States, Maine
- United States, Massachusetts
- American Bar Association's Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, State and Regional Environmental Cooperation Committee - Vice Chair (2010-2015)
- Maine State Bar Association's Continuing Legal Education Committee - Member (2009-2016)
- Georgetown University, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, graduated 1998
- Colby College, B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, graduated 1995
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
- Maine - Supreme Court
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Environmental Law, Portland, ME (2025)
- Environmental Law, Portland, ME (2022)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Environmental Law
- Land Use and Zoning Law
Awards:
- Best Lawyers in America® for Environmental and Land Use & Zoning Law (2013-present)
- Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” in Maine for Environmental Law (2022)
- Recognized by Chambers USA for Environmental Law
News & Media
Case History
Cases
- Recent Experience
Represents the Maine Real Estate & Development Association in lobbying at the Maine Legislature on key issues to the development community, including vernal pools and uniform building codes
Represented a New Hampshire scrap metal dealer in settling an enforcement action brought by the U.S. EPA under the federal industrial stormwater program, including negotiation of a supplemental environmental project
Led the legal team for local permitting on Central Maine Power Company's Maine Power Reliability Program, a $1.4 billion project across approximately 75 municipalities to ensure the reliability and safety of its high voltage transmission system
Advised the Republic of Kazakhstan on the adoption of best practices for regulation of air emissions
Represented a solid waste company in amending its license to accept municipal solid waste after a two-day hearing before the Maine DEP
Represented a New Hampshire scrap metal dealer in settling an enforcement action brought by the U.S. EPA under the federal industrial stormwater program, including negotiation of a supplemental environmental project
Led the legal team for local permitting on Central Maine Power Company's Maine Power Reliability Program, a $1.4 billion project across approximately 75 municipalities to ensure the reliability and safety of its high voltage transmission system
Advised the Republic of Kazakhstan on the adoption of best practices for regulation of air emissions
Represented a solid waste company in amending its license to accept municipal solid waste after a two-day hearing before the Maine DEP
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