Email: john@bardlaw.net
Phone: (502) 741-8783
Kentucky’s Trusted Rezoning & Land Development Attorney
With over 30 years of experience in Kentucky land use law, John C. Talbott is a leading rezoning and development attorney representing some of the region’s largest and most active real estate developers. Based in Louisville, he has guided billions in commercial, industrial, and residential projects through complex planning, zoning, and entitlement processes across the state.
Focused Expertise in Zoning & Development
- Rezoning & Entitlements: John specializes in shepherding developments through zoning map amendments, conditional use permits, and land use approvals—whether for subdivisions, industrial parks, or mixed-use urban projects.
- Land Development Strategy: From initial feasibility to final plat approval, he helps clients design and execute a legal roadmap through planning commissions, legislative bodies, and regulatory agencies.
- Public-Private Coordination: Known for his collaborative approach, John works closely with planning staff, public officials, and elected representatives to anticipate concerns and build community support for projects.
- Master Planning & Complex Projects: He leads multidisciplinary teams of land planners, engineers, and architects to deliver coordinated solutions for large-scale development, including projects exceeding $600 million.
Notable Projects
- Counsel on active development projects totaling over $2–3 billion, including:
- A $600M+ mixed-use development featuring apartments, hotel, and retail space
- A 200-acre industrial site for a large international appliance manufacturer in Shelby County, Kentucky
- Dozens of subdivisions and multi-family sites ranging from $20M–$300M
- Several industrial parks in Jefferson, Shelby, and Henry Counties
List of some Major Clients
- Bacardi and Angel’s Envy
- Baptist Healthcare System
- Clayton Homes & Arbor Homes (a Berkshire Hathaway Company)
- Goodwill of Kentuckiana
- Hagan Properties
- Highgates Development
- Hogan Real Estate
- Hollenbach & Oakley
- Jefferson Development Group
- L & N Financial
- Perfection Home Builders
- Pulte Homes
Notable Awards and Accomplishments
- 2022 Associate of the Year, Building Industry Association of Louisville
- Serves on Land Development Committees for both the BIA of Greater Louisville and Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI)
- Serves on the Board for the Building Industry Association of Greater Louisville
Relationships That Get Results
- Established credibility with planning commissions and local legislative bodies throughout Louisville Metro, Oldham County, Bullitt County, Shelby County, Henry County and surrounding areas
- Strong political and agency relationships help streamline the approval process and resolve opposition or technical delays
- Frequently retained for difficult or controversial rezonings that require creative solutions and skilled advocacy
Background & Affiliations
- Founder of Talbott & Talbott, PLLC in 2000; joined current firm as equity partner in 2004
- Former editor, Journal of Law and Education, University of Louisville School of Law
- Board Member of Building Industry Association of Greater Louisville
- Vanderbilt University undergraduate
- Graduate of Leadership Kentucky (2013)
- Former President and 6-year board member, Visually Impaired Preschool Services
- Former Parish Council Member for St. Brigit Church
Why Developers Choose John Talbott
- Rezoning experience at scale: From infill to mega-sites, he knows how to get land approved.
- Deep understanding of local processes: Knows what each jurisdiction wants to see—and how to deliver it.
- Political and regulatory insight: Decades of experience building consensus among officials and stakeholders.
- Developer-aligned mindset: Focused on risk mitigation, entitlement speed, and long-term land value creation.
Planning a rezoning or large-scale development? Start with the attorney who knows how to get it approved. Contact John C. Talbott today.
