Jim Pross is a shareholder with the firm of Skelton Taintor & Abbott in Lewiston, Maine, concentrating his practice in:
- Business Law
- Commercial Real Estate; Landlord/Tenant
- Municipal & Government Law
- Trademark
Business Law. Jim has worked closely with his corporate clients throughout his law practice to advance their interests in all spheres. Whether advocating for them directly before municipal boards or pursuing their interests in court, Jim’s work as counsel to various business organizations has been a large component of his practice. His responsiveness to his clients’ needs and willingness to go the extra mile has made him the “go-to-guy” for his organizational clients. Jim’s pragmatism has helped his business clients minimize risk and avoid legal battles. He works hard to minimize the business costs associated with legal problems when they arise, and stands at their side as a partner in their success. Jim values the relationships that he has developed as a trusted adviser to his business clients.
Commercial Real Estate. In his landlord/tenant practice, Jim has primarily represented the interests of landlords in eviction actions. He has obtained vast experience in landlord/tenant law working with large and small landlords alike, in district courts statewide from Bangor to Portland, Maine.
Jim’s clients appreciate his pragmatic approach to advising clients on landlord/tenant relations. His experience has resulted in a deep familiarity with the wide range of common problems and pitfalls that landlords face in Maine.
Jim has also represented property owners with:
- Acquisitions of new properties
- Construction disputes
- Purchases & sales of mobile home parks & homes
- Disputes with local code enforcement authorities
- Marijuana related issues
- Land use & zoning issues
- Personal injury claims
- Condemnation proceedings
Municipal & Government Law. While in law school, Jim worked for two years for the New Hampshire Municipal Association as a member of its legal team, advising local governments on the wide range of legal problems they face. Having recently served on the Auburn City Council and the Auburn School Committee, Jim has developed firsthand experience in municipal government. Jim has challenged public water and sewer districts in Maine, winning on issues before boards of trustees for his clients. He represents clients at planning board proceedings, handles appeals from planning board denials, property tax appeals, and litigation involving municipalities. His past experience working in state government has also lent itself to issue advocacy experience in Augusta.
Jim also has experience in employment law, copyright and trademark registration, civil appeals, conservation law, and professional licensure matters.
Prior to joining Skelton Taintor & Abbott, Jim practiced law with two other Maine law firms. Active in the community, Jim has served three consecutive three year terms as a member of the Board of Directors of the Androscoggin Land Trust beginning in 2009, including two years as its President. He recently finished serving a two-year term as an Auburn City Councilor and a joint two-year term as a member of the Auburn School Committee. Jim was recognized by Best Lawyers in America © 2021 for his work in worker’s compensation law – employees.
Born in Sussex County, New Jersey, Jim earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Charleston, where he rowed on the lightweight varsity crew team. After graduating, Jim worked for two years in the West Virginia Department of Tax and Revenue. He then moved to Concord, New Hampshire, to attend law school, receiving his J.D., cum laude, from the University of New Hampshire School of Law. Jim and his wife, Mia, live in Auburn with their daughter. He has appeared in speaking roles in two films, enjoys skiing with his family, running, playing the guitar, and chess.