James B. Barns

Aimee B. Parsons is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Aimee B., 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 Aimee B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Barbara Wheaton concentrates her legal practice on estate planning, estate and trust administration, charitable giving, and related disciplines. Barbara's clients include high net worth individuals, business owners, family offices, charities and fiduciaries. She represents her clients' interests in probate proceedings involving trustee or executor duties, guardianships, trust administration and reformation, and contested estate administrations. Barbara also works extensively with nonprofit or...

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.

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...

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...

Chris Stevenson is a tax attorney and Co-Leader of the Business Services practice group, who advises clients on a wide range of federal and state tax compliance issues and tax controversies before taxing authorities. Also a Certified Public Accountant, Chris delivers exceptional value to his clients, who are looking for practical, comprehensible and efficient solutions to complex legal problems. In his transactional tax practice, Chris frequently advises businesses on the tax aspects of merge...

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...

Dan Strader works closely with clients to help guide them in complying with the latest legal developments impacting their workforces. Dan regularly counsels clients on compliance with state and federal employment laws such as Title VII, the Maine Human Rights Act, and the ADA, FLSA, FMLA, and ADEA. In addition to providing everyday advice and counsel on a wide range of employment topics, Dan works with clients on reviewing and drafting employment contracts, compensation plans, severance agree...

A straight-shooting, disciplined former naval officer and present-day real estate attorney, Bill gets projects done on budget and on time. Throughout his career, Bill has helped major real estate developers realize large-scale commercial projects in the Greater Portland area and throughout the state of Maine. His skill set includes acquisitions, sales, development projects, entity formation, financing, and leasing. He currently heads up Bernstein Shur’s Massachusetts Real Estate Initiat...