David M. Austin

Joseph G. Carleton, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Community Association Law and Real Estate Law. Joseph G., 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 Joseph G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Susan S Bixby is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Susan S, who practices law in Portland, Maine, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Susan S is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ed’s practice covers all aspects of employee benefits. He works primarily with employers in the establishment, operation and maintenance of tax-qualified retirement plans, retirement plans for tax-exempt and governmental entities, Taft-Hartley plans, cafeteria plans, health care and other welfare and fringe benefit programs and executive compensation arrangements. A significant portion of Ed’s time is devoted to resolving compliance issues under the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA...

Nolan Reichl is a partner in Pierce Atwood’s Litigation Practice Group, where he focuses his practice on civil litigation and appellate matters, including commercial disputes and challenges to administrative actions. Nolan represents institutional clients in a range of industries, and has represented some of the largest institutions in the United States and Maine, including Central Maine Power Company, J.P. Morgan, Verso Corporation, Bank of America, and Eli Lilly and Company. As part o...

Ryan Kelley provides legal counsel to public and private companies regarding debt and equity financings, commercial transactions and bankruptcy and creditors’ rights matters. Ryan represents both lenders and borrowers in construction, acquisition, new markets tax credits, term and working capital financing transactions. His transactional experience also includes commercial matters such as the representation of franchisors and franchisees with respect to franchise matters, of manufacture...

Edward J. Kelleher is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Edward J., who practices law in Portland, Maine, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Edward J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James M. Saffian practices principally in the areas of public finance, economic development and tax increment financing. Jim has represented issuers, borrowers, underwriters and trustees in a variety of structured public financings. In addition to regularly representing various municipalities and special purpose districts in Maine with respect to general obligation bond and revenue bond financings, Jim has also had substantial experience with complex private activity bond financings including...

Ken Lehman is a shareholder in Bernstein Shur’s Litigation Group and he co-chairs the firm’s Health Care Group. Ken has practiced health care law for more than 35 years. He is a former Maine Assistant Attorney General where he had responsibility for cases before Maine’s professional licensure boards that license physicians and PAs, nurses and nurse practitioners, dentists, psychologists, social workers, professional counselors, chiropractors, and other health care providers....

Charles M. Katz-Leavy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Charles M., who practices law in Portland, Maine, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles 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...