John S. Kaminski

John S. Kaminski is Of Counsel at Drummond Woodsum in Portland, Maine. His practice centers on business transactions and tax law, with an emphasis on community and project development. He advises developers and lenders involved in real estate development, affordable housing, and historic rehabilitation projects. His work also includes mergers and acquisitions, nonprofit and tax-exempt entities, estate planning and administration, and other business and corporate matters that involve complex tax or financing considerations.

John earned a J.D. with high honors from George Washington University in 1979 and a B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, from George Washington University in 1976. His academic background supports a practice that combines tax analysis with transactional planning. He applies that training when structuring development projects, evaluating tax-credit opportunities, advising on financing, handling federal and state tax matters, and helping clients understand how legal, tax, and business considerations affect long-term project objectives.

John has advised for-profit and nonprofit developers on mixed commercial and residential projects, historic rehabilitation tax credits, low-income housing tax credits, state housing authority financing, project resyndication, refinancing, HUD programs, and New Markets Tax Credits. He serves as lead counsel to the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority for redevelopment of the former Brunswick Naval Air Station. He also handles federal tax matters at audit, appellate, National Office, and U.S. Tax Court levels.

John S. Kaminski has been recognized by Best Lawyers USA for Tax Law and has received Portland-area Lawyer of the Year recognition for Tax Law. He has also been recognized by New England Super Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell. His combination of tax, finance, real estate, and transactional experience supports clients undertaking community-development and business projects that require coordination among legal structures, public programs, financing sources, property interests, and tax considerations.

Law Office Affiliations

• Of Counsel, Drummond Woodsum
• Member, Maine State Bar Association
• Former Chair, Maine State Bar Association Federal and State Taxation Committee
• Member, American Bar Association Taxation Section
• Member, American Bar Association’s Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development
• Former President and Director, Frannie Peabody Center
• Former Director, Maine Businesses for Social Responsibility
• Member, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
• Member, Maine Affordable Housing Coalition

Licensed State

• Maine

Education

• George Washington University
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• George Washington University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges