David M. Austin

Calm under pressure, dependable, and a true advocate for her clients, Mary is an experienced municipal and environmental law counselor. Having worked in the public sector for years before joining Bernstein Shur, she has a firsthand understanding of the issues faced by municipal and state employees and boards—and how to help her clients confront them. Her most recent public sector position was associate corporation counsel to the City of Portland, where she advised the city staff and cou...

Natalie practices municipal, environmental, land use and administrative law and represents both public and private clients. Before joining the firm, she served as Associate Corporation Counsel for the City of Portland for 10 years. Natalie graduated from Bowdoin College, with departmental honors in Romance Languages. She received her law degree from the University of Maine School of Law. She has made presentations on municipal and land use issues at seminars sponsored by the Maine State Bar A...

Hawley’s practice focuses on representing real estate investors and developers in the acquisition and development of residential and mixed-use commercial properties—both regionally and nationally. He regularly provides guidance and assistance at all key points in commercial real estate transactions, from project financing to leasing. Hawley’s knowledge of state and local laws and ordinances and his detail-oriented approach help to facilitate deals that are streamlined and sm...

Molly Liddell is Pierce Atwood’s managing partner. Previously, Molly was chair of the firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group, where she worked with high net worth families and individuals on their estate planning and frequently served as a trustee for family trusts. As managing partner, Molly oversees the firm’s strategic initiatives, operations, and continued commitment to delivering exceptional client service across all offices. She works closely with the firm’s ...

Ron Ward has substantial expertise in all aspects of real estate law, development law, commercial leasing and financing, secured transactions (representing both lenders and borrowers), and administrative and environmental law – particularly local, state, and federal permitting. Ron advises real estate developers and entrepreneurs on the development and financing of complex commercial developments, as well as significant residential developments. Ron successfully handled the legal aspect...

Melinda (Mindy) J. Caterine represents management in employment disputes before federal and states courts and agencies throughout New England. Her practice includes defending employers in matters involving: Sexual harassment Employment discrimination Retaliation Wrongful discharge Employment contract dispute cases Mindy also conducts training on numerous employment issues, such as: Harassment Wage and hour compliance Reductions-in-force Leaves of absence Discipline and discharge In addition t...

Chuck M. Graceffa, a partner in the firm's Business Group, has a general corporate and securities law practice concentrated in the areas of private equity, emerging company representation, public and private mergers and acquisitions, and securities law compliance. Chuck also has experience in commercial real estate transactions. Many of Chuck's clients turn to him on a daily basis for general business advice as he plays an active role in the strategic growth and advancement of his clients' bu...

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.

Sarah Tracy advises energy generation facilities, large commercial energy users, and utilities with respect to state and federal energy regulatory issues throughout New England. Sarah assists owners of utility scale and distributed energy generation facilities and off-takers negotiate key energy agreements, including power purchase agreements, net energy billing agreements, renewable energy credit purchase and sale agreements, natural gas supply agreements and firm gas transportation agreemen...

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...