Christopher D. "Chris" Nyhan

David Backer, Leader of the firm’s Trust and Estate Planning Practice Group, concentrates his practice on counseling individuals, families, and closely-held businesses on an array of sophisticated estate planning, succession management, tax planning, and wealth preservation matters. David is recognized as a leading authority in Maine probate and trust law, and has garnered a national-level reputation for his understanding of complex tax and estate planning concepts and techniques. David...

Having worked as an urban planner, as chair of the Portland Zoning Board, and inside state government, Phil is well acquainted with municipal and land use law. That experience, combined with his legal expertise, makes him extremely adept at counseling municipal officials and boards and obtaining land use approvals at local, state, and federal levels for real estate developers and property owners. And he’s just as equipped to help clients with legislative issues: he helped draft and pass...

Susan A. Faunce is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs, Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Susan A. practices law in Portland, Maine Best Lawyers has recognized Susan A. Faunce since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which ...

Drawing on over 20 years of legal experience, Peter Klein advises buyers, sellers, lenders, and borrowers on the full spectrum of legal issues relevant to real estate development. Pete has significant expertise in real estate finance, permitting, land use, project development and construction, and commercial leasing transactions. A significant portion of Pete’s practice focuses on representing developers, lenders, and investors in projects involving historic tax credits and low-income h...

Andrea Suter represents entities and individuals in a broad range of industries, including energy, hospitality, real estate development, financial services, manufacturing, and software development, among others. Andrea enjoys advising clients that are startups, family-owned, and early stage, as well as established companies. She regularly gives advice to clients on growing and realizing value through strategic mergers and acquisitions; efficiently raising capital through private placements, v...

Christopher P. Stief is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Christopher P. practices law in Portland, Maine Best Lawyers has recognized Christopher P. Stief since 2019. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Christopher P. Stief is he...

Katie Porter represents private and public employers and helps emerging companies establish and maintain all aspects of their employment policies and practices. She regularly provides advice and counsel to multistate clients on emerging and complex employment issues. Katie conducts workplace investigations and assists the firm’s corporate group on employment aspects of corporate transactions. She also advises independent schools on legal issues impacting students and assists with school...

Christopher Brooks focuses his practice on bankruptcy, commercial finance, and business/commercial litigation. Chris primarily works with national and local lending institutions, quasi-state and governmental agencies, trade creditors, developers, corporations, and other for-profit and nonprofit entities in financing transactions and the restructuring or collection of troubled and defaulted loans. With an eye on maximizing returns and mitigating risk, Chris regularly advises lenders and other ...

Matt is a member of Bernstein Shur’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, assisting the firm’s public and private sector clients in a wide range of labor and personnel matters. Dedicated to his clients, Matt provides practical, effective counsel on all aspects of the employer-employee relationship. Matt is a seasoned litigator with extensive experience representing employers, and regularly acts as an outside investigator for companies facing discrimination, sexual harassment, an...

Andrea J. Shaw is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Banking and Finance Law. Andrea J. practices law in Portland, Maine Best Lawyers has recognized Andrea J. Shaw since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Andrea J. Shaw is held by other lawyers.