Mary A. Denison

Agniezska Dixon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Municipal Law. Agniezska, 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 Agniezska is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Eben Albert focuses his practice on complex energy regulatory proceedings and litigation before state public utilities commissions including the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) and other administrative and regulatory bodies, as well as in state and federal courts. Eben has deep experience representing clients in utility ratemaking and rate design proceedings, complex utility reorganizations, requests for approvals, and various other regulatory matters. Prior to his energy practice, E...

After clerking for Maine Supreme Court Justice Robert Clifford for a year after law school, Mike dove straight into construction law, defending architects and engineers in construction cases at a small Portland insurance defense firm. Since joining Bernstein Shur a decade and a half ago, Mike has had the pleasure of representing the full panoply of participants on a construction project: developers, owners, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, lenders, and sureties in everything fr...

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.

Having served as lead counsel to multi-national organizations on major M&A transactions, fledgling startups looking to raise capital, and countless other companies on virtually every matter in between, Chris has the experience and insight that runs the gamut of business law. His sharp business acumen and superior negotiating skills have enabled Chris to build his legal practice from the ground up to the highest level—all while keeping the facts straightforward and plainspoken. Even ...

Having worked in human resources and management in the private sector, Katy Rand brings hands-on experience to her practice. Her client work primarily involves employment law, with a focus on discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage / hour issues. Katy helps employers avoid litigation, counseling them on compliance and employee relations issues and, where appropriate, negotiating early resolution of disputes. She also has an active litigation practice, routinely advocating on behalf ...

With a strong professional and educational background in governmental administration and compliance, Joel is a practical, results-driven advocate who is uniquely qualified to represent clients in property tax and regulatory matters. He understands the importance of long-term relationships with regulators and municipalities, and leverages his training and experience to distill large amounts of complex data into clear, thoughtful, and effective counsel. In his energy practice, Joel represents g...

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

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.

Growing up working for his family’s flag and banner company, Arnie’s business education started at a young age. Today, he is a member of Bernstein Shur’s Succession Planning practice group, and provides counsel to small and mid-sized companies in business matters of all types, from formation issues and real estate deals to mergers and acquisitions. He’s particularly well-versed in financing, and works with both profit and nonprofit clients on a range of complex transac...