John Gontrum Email & Phone Number

Towson, Maryland 21204

• Co-Chairman of the Real Estate Practice• Co-Chairman of Real Estate Development, Leasing and Land Use Industry Group• Responsible for coordinating the efforts of the firm to provide for responsive, effective and efficient solutions to real estate issues in both transactional and land use areas• Over 34 years of experience representing developers, businesses, institutions and individuals on a wide variety of land use, zoning and development issues.• Representation on a variety of environmental matters focusing on Chesapeake Bay Critical Area regulations, waterfront development, percolation testing, forest buffer and forest conservation issues.• Whiteford, Taylor and Preston's Real Estate Section has been nationally recognized as one of the premier real estate practices in Maryland.In over 3 decades of real estate work client representation has included large and small projects from residential development of over 1,000 units to obtaining variances for decks and accessory buildings on individual lots. Commercial and industrial projects have included trucking facilities, boatyards, shopping centers, hotels and many different retail and industrial uses. Recently, extensive work has been performed on behalf of farmers with respect to land use, environmental and agricultural easement issues.Representation has included not only the planning and strategizing of solutions to real estate issues but also representation before administrative agencies, trial courts and appellate courts on a variety of issues. These issues pertain not only to zoning and development matters but also to licenses and permits of various types, covenant and easement restrictions, road closings and eminent domain.A general practice orientation has led to the representation of individuals and corporations on various succession planning issues. These include not only estate planning for property and business owners but also corporate organization and buy-sell agreements.

Essex, Baltimore County, Maryland

This was a small, general practice law firm with a sophisticated real estate and corporate practice. It was one of the very few firms in the Baltimore metropolitan area with a highly regarded zoning and real estate development practice. Combined with this practice was a highly regarded general practice representing primarily individuals and businesses in the eastern part of Baltimore County.When the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area programs was first adopted, was asked to serve on the Baltimore County Advisory Board to review and recommend the county response to the state regulations. Since that time have represented dozens of waterfront property owners on critical area issues.

Baltimore, Maryland

Served as the full time counsel to the Commission representing it on utility matters on appeal.

Towson, Maryland

Doctor Of Law (J.D.)

A.B.