Welcome to Jabar, Batten, Ringer & LaLiberty

Jim is a graduate of Wesleyan University (B.A. Cum Laude, 1977), where he majored in Philosophy, and the University of Maine School of Law (1980). He concentrates his practice in Commercial Transactions, Business Law, and the formation and structuring of business entities. He has extensive experience representing Banks, Credit Unions, and Private Lenders in all aspects of Commercial Loans and represents both Buyers and Sellers in the sale of businesses and business assets, including commercial real estate. Jim is General Counsel for the country’s leading occupational health software developer, and represents many area businesses. He won two important, precedent setting cases for the Maine equipment rental industry establishing an inventory exemption from property tax resulting in the savings of millions of dollars: Eagle Rental, Inc. v. City of Waterville, 632 A.2d 130 (Me. 1993) and Handyman Equipment Rental et. al. v. City of Portland, 724 A.2d 605 (Me. 1999). The cases had a national impact, resulting in responsive legislation in 16 States. Jim also handles a variety of general legal matters.

Raised in Waterville, Jim, and his wife, Julie Schoenthaler, a teacher in the Waterville School System, have two married children: James, a Colby College graduate and lawyer, and Elizabeth, (University of New Hampshire ’05). For many years, Jim coached youth hockey in Waterville and now is a member of the Board of Directors for the Central Maine Youth Hockey Association. He enjoys music and plays guitar, reads history, and is an amateur video editor and movie maker.