David M. Austin

Rick Shinay has devoted his entire professional career to the practice of real estate law and related areas. From 1981 to 1985, Rick was Branch Manager and State Counsel for the Portland, Maine office of Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation where he developed extensive expertise in real estate title and conveyancing matters and title insurance underwriting in a wide variety of commercial and residential transactions. Since joining Drummond Woodsum in 1985, Rick has represented individuals and ...

Jeffrey Herbert is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Jeffrey, who practices law in Portland, Maine, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gavin McCarthy is a trial lawyer whose practice covers a wide variety of complex commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on class action defense and construction litigation. Gavin's practice spans the country, from defending a leading disability insurer in a class action in Louisiana to representing a major energy provider in an eight-figure construction dispute in Maine to handling a series of building product class actions in South Carolina and Massachusetts. At the same time, Gav...

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...

For over 25 years, Christopher has been serving the legal needs of businesses and entrepreneurs. He often serves as general counsel to clients and his experience covers the spectrum of the business cycle, from start-up, to investment and growth, to succession planning and exit strategies. Christopher also has considerable experience with business disputes and has successfully handled commercial litigation in both state and federal courts. His clients past and present include biotech and techn...

Leah Rachin focuses her practice on municipal, land use, and employment law. Leah combines 20 years of practice experience with her practical, detail-oriented nature to deliver customized, workable solutions to help clients achieve their objectives. Leah serves as town attorney to several municipalities, and advises towns and other public sector clients on a broad range of issues such as zoning, planning, licensing/permitting, charter/ordinance drafting and interpretation, right-to-know law, ...

Andrea J. Shaw is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Andrea J., who practices law in Portland, Maine, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Andrea J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Alyssa C. Tibbetts is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Municipal Law. Alyssa C., who practices law in Scarborough, Maine, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alyssa C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Emily Cooke’s practice focuses on commercial transactions, compliance, and corporate governance for a range of clients, including banks and other financial institutions, health care organizations, insurance industry participants, educational institutions, nonprofit entities, and small businesses. She negotiates third-party vendor contracts for banking services, negotiates master services agreements for outsourcing critical processing functions for national bank and insurers, and provide...

Maybe it started with his knack for math, but Kelly has always loved solving problems. And he’s good at it. He is a powerful analytical thinker and revels in solving highly technical challenges. As a lawyer, Kelly puts those skills to work on behalf of his clients to help resolve a wide range of disputes. Kelly’s practice focuses on litigation involving commercial, bankruptcy, boundary and construction issues. He works directly with clients and in-house counsel and has represented...