Zukowski, John Michael

Alan’s primary practice focus is land use, zoning, real estate and local government law with a particular emphasis on development permitting and related transactions. Alan is a former land use planner for Montana local governments, who combines his professional planning background with his work in land use law to provide clients with a unique blend of practical skills and legal analysis. He is frequently called upon to provide advice to private and government sector clients and has served as outside counsel on land use matters for several Montana local governments.

In the past four years, Alan has participated in more than 30 land use related lawsuits for nine Montana Counties. This unparalleled exposure to current issues keeps him on the forefront of emerging land use law in Montana, benefiting his government and private clients alike.  In the transactional area, he has successfully guided numerous landowners through Montana’s local land use regulatory scheme for subdivision, zoning and other development related permits.  Whenever possible he has fostered cooperative working relationships between the public and private sectors.

Alan graduated from the University of Montana School of Law with High Honors in 2002. He received a B.S. in Horticulture in 1991 and a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning in 1993, both degrees from Virginia Tech. After graduate school, Alan worked as a land use planner and achieved professional certification in land use planning by the American Institute of Certified Planners in 1996.

Following law school, Alan clerked for the Hon. James R. Browning of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco. He entered private practice with Garlington, Lohn and Robinson, PLLP in 2003. He is admitted to practice before Montana state courts, the United States District Court for the District of Montana and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Alan is a frequent speaker and occasional writer on land use law topics.

Alan handles a variety of matters including Subdivision and Development Applications and Approval Processes; Zoning; Sign Code issues; Purchase and Sale Agreements; Residential and Commercial Leases; Condominium Construction and Conversion Documents; Encroachment Disputes; Easements; Real Estate and Development Litigation; Land Use Code Writing and Review; Homeowners Associations; and Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions.