Education

University of Maine School of Law
J.D., summa cum laude | 2011

University of Southern Maine
B.A., magna cum laude | 1999

Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, District of Maine | 2011
  • Maine | 2011
  • Massachusetts | 2011

ABOUT Joe

Joseph Talbot is the current President of Perkins Thompson and chair of the firm’s Litigation and Construction Law practice groups. Joe’s litigation practice focuses primarily on construction disputes, although he has experience handling cases of all types. As a litigator, Joe regularly appears in both state and federal court, as well as before mediators and arbitrators throughout New England, on behalf of his clients. Joe aims to provide his clients with practical, common-sense advice coupled with aggressive advocacy, all in an effort to efficiently resolve their disputes.

Joe’s recent construction litigation matters include:

  • Successfully defending a regional commercial contractor from subcontractor payment claims and a mechanic’s lien claim. Joe helped his client obtain a favorable judgment (at trial) finding that no further payments were required, and then successfully defended the subcontractor’s subsequent appeal with Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court.
  • Successfully prosecuting payment claims on behalf of a residential contractor. Joe helped his client – a residential general contractor – obtain a favorable arbitration decision when a homeowner refused to pay amounts owed under the parties’ contract. The homeowner was ordered to pay the full amount owed plus an award of legal fees to the client.
  • Successfully enforcing lien rights on a pipeline project resulting in full payment for his client. Joe was able to assist his client recover the full amount owed without the need for litigation.

Beyond his litigation practice, Joe advises clients on a wide variety of construction issues (including mechanics’ liens, insurance requirements, payment and performance bonds, delay claims, workmanship claims, and payment disputes) before, during, and after construction. Joe also drafts and reviews contract documents for both commercial and residential projects of all sizes, and provides general counsel services to clients that don’t have their own in-house legal departments. Importantly, Joe understands that his clients have projects to complete and businesses to run, and therefore, always strives to ensure that his advice is practical and compatible with their real-world needs.

Joe also sits on the Board of Directors for Perkins Thompson, assisting with firm management matters and the day-to-day operations of the firm.

Away from work, you can usually find Joe on the sidelines of a soccer field somewhere (both far and away) cheering his daughters on. Joe’s other interests include running (very slowly), skiing and snowboarding, and taking advantage of the lakes and mountains near his family’s home in Windham, Maine.

ARTICLES

Publications / Seminars

Membership

  • Maine State Bar Association
  • Maine Trial Lawyers Association
  • Cumberland Bar Association