Andre Duchette

Having served as lead counsel to multi-national organizations on major M&A transactions, fledgling startups looking to raise capital, and countless other companies on virtually every matter in between, Chris has the experience and insight that runs the gamut of business law. His sharp business acumen and superior negotiating skills have enabled Chris to build his legal practice from the ground up to the highest level—all while keeping the facts straightforward and plainspoken. Even ...

Peg Smith handles all aspects of commercial acquisitions, dispositions, development, leasing, title review and analysis, with particular expertise in drafting and analyzing conservation easements. She represents timberland companies, commercial developers, nonprofit organizations, and individual clients with respect to their various real estate needs, and regularly assists energy companies with real estate matters related to solar development, hydroelectric facilities, and transmission corrid...

With nearly 20 years of experience, Jack Woodcock is a seasoned trial attorney who brings a strategic, disciplined approach to complex, high-stakes litigation. His practice spans commercial disputes, environmental litigation, and mass torts, where he regularly guides clients through multifaceted legal and factual challenges. Known for his clear judgment and steady advocacy, Jack is a trusted advisor to clients facing significant legal and business risk. Drawing on his 20 years of experience m...

Erica M. Johanson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Erica M., who practices law in Portland, Maine, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Erica M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

George is passionate about achieving the best practical result, but he tries not to lose sight of humor and humanity in the process. He has been practicing law for over four decades and focuses on litigating, arbitrating, and mediating business and construction disputes. His trial experience is extensive and multi-faceted, before juries and arbitrators alike throughout New England and New York, including numerous construction and design claims, some involving tens of millions of dollars; prod...

Mark Franco is a seasoned litigator with more than 35 years of experience in state and federal courts, advocacy before government agencies, and alternative dispute resolution. He represents clients in a broad range of civil disputes and has specific expertise litigating in the fields of employment, municipal, construction, transportation, maritime, civil rights, defamation/slander, commercial disputes, real property, professional malpractice, personal injury, premises liability, auto liabilit...

After clerking for Maine Supreme Court Justice Robert Clifford for a year after law school, Mike dove straight into construction law, defending architects and engineers in construction cases at a small Portland insurance defense firm. Since joining Bernstein Shur a decade and a half ago, Mike has had the pleasure of representing the full panoply of participants on a construction project: developers, owners, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, lenders, and sureties in everything fr...

Whether it’s international, federal, or state tax planning, business succession planning, or estate planning, Nelson is ready with thoughtful, practical, and effective guidance. He is eager to provide clear explanations of tax policies and help his clients swiftly and confidently navigate the tax consequences of even the most complex transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, tax-free exchanges, reorganizations, and municipal and private activity bond financing. Nelson advises ed...

Ben Marcus is a highly experienced transactional attorney. Ben has 33 years of experience representing clients throughout North America in complex commercial arrangements including equity and asset transactions on the buy and sell side, joint venture and development agreements, workouts and restructurings, and contract preparation and review (including the negotiation and execution of Saas and other hosted agreements, and hotel management agreements). Ben has represented companies in many dif...

Michael High was the leader of the firm’s Business and Commercial Services Practice Group for more than 20 years and currently serves as co-leader of the Group. He has extensive experience in representing businesses, investors, lenders and borrowers in a wide range of corporate and commercial matters, including entity formation, shareholder/owner relations, corporate governance, drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex contracts, mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, corporate fina...