James L. Costello

207.774.9000 ext 210
jcostello@curtisthaxter.com

Jim Costello is the Managing Member of the firm and also maintains a practice that focuses on commercial law, real estate, utility law and litigation. Jim combines his experience as a former independent accountant and as a senior corporate and litigation attorney to represent businesses on a wide range of legal concerns, including business formation and acquisition, corporate governance, commercial financing and leasing, real estate, public utility law and resolution of business disputes through negotiation, mediation and litigation. Jim also draws on his unique background to counsel corporate boards and committees on state and federal laws, corporate best practices and communications with outside auditors.

Jim previously practiced as a Certified Public Accountant with the firm KPMG Peat Marwick, working in both the tax and audit fields, with an emphasis in financial institution audits. He taught accounting at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a course entitled “Accounting For Lawyers” at the University of Maine School of Law.

Before joining the firm, Jim served as a law clerk to United States District Judge D. Brock Hornby.

Jim has written on accountants’ liability, including a Law Review Comment entitled “The Auditor’s Responsibilities for Fraud Detection and Disclosure: Do The Auditing Standards Provide a Safe Harbor?” He has also conducted various seminars on limited liability companies, accountants’ liability and “Accounting for Lawyers”.

Representative Matters

• Negotiated design and build agreement and interconnection arrangements for construction of facilities for 42 MW Wind Power project in Mars Hill, Maine.
• Represented utility companies on site acquisition and development. Advised clients on easement right of way matters.
• Negotiated aerial license agreements between and among Maine’s electric utilities and cable companies and independent telephone companies. Negotiated agreements between electric utilities and Verizon regarding ownership of rights of way and pole facilities.
• Negotiated office lease agreements and handled all aspects of medical office building acquisition.
• Represented Maine utilities before the Maine PUC on reorganization into holding company and affiliate formation approvals; developed and sought Maine PUC approval for utility-affiliate transactions.
• Represented Maine electric utility before the Maine PUC on stranded cost rate cases and transmission line certification process.
• Negotiated licensing agreements between utilities and Maine railroad companies.
• Negotiated agreement between City of Bangor – Bangor International Airport and counterpart Halifax airport regarding flight access and landing rights matters.

Affiliations

Jim serves on the board of the Maine Children’s Museum, is a Maine Bar Fellow and has served on a number of non-profit boards, including the Maine Bar Foundation.

J.D., University of Maine School of Law, summa cum laude, first in class, 1991; Editor, Maine Law Review; Faculty Scholastic Achievement Award; West Scholastic Achievement Award in Commercial Law

Maine

U.S. District Court for the District of Maine

Maine State Bar Association