Joel T. Shaw

Joel T. Shaw

Portland, ME recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2017
Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson PA

40 Best Lawyers awards

Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson PA logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Securities / Capital Markets Law Corporate Law
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Portland, ME.

Biography

With a past as a securities regulator in the New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation, Joel has deep expertise in the federal and state securities laws—and the practical insight it takes to navigate today’s financial markets successfully.

Whether you’re an operating company seeking early stage or later round financing, Joel will help you structure capital-raising transactions and prepare disclosure documents that have every “i” dotted and every “t” crossed. And he’s just as good at counseling private investment funds on fund formation and compliance. And in addition to raising capital, he helps investors put it to work—including assisting both institutions and high net worth individuals review offering documents, conduct due diligence, and negotiate deal terms.

Joel is also very experienced in:
  • Advising financial institutions and investment advisers with respect to mergers and acquisitions
  • Counseling state and federal investment advisers with respect to organization, registration, and compliance matters
  • Defending brokers and advisers in connection with regulatory exams and enforcement proceedings
Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson PA

40 Best Lawyers awards

Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson PA logo

Overview

  • University of New Hampshire (Concord), JD, graduated 2002
  • Boston College, BA, graduated 1997

  • Maine, State of Maine
  • New Hampshire, State of New Hampshire
  • Maine, State of Maine
  • New Hampshire, State of New Hampshire
  • University of New Hampshire (Concord), JD, graduated 2002
  • Boston College, BA, graduated 1997

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Securities / Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Securities / Capital Markets Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law, Portland, ME (2026)
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law, Portland, ME (2024)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Corporate Law
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Corporate Compliance Law
  • Corporate Governance Law
  • Securities Regulation
  • Securitization and Structured Finance Law

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