Michael J. Pearce
About Michael J. Pearce
Michael J. Pearce is a lawyer based in Portland, ME and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2009. Michael J. Pearce is recognized in the following practice area:
- Portland, Maine
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Current Firm: Pearce, Dow & Burns LLP
Education: University of Maine School of Law, J.D., graduated 1978
Location: Portland, ME
It takes just a few minutes to optimize your profile for clients looking to engage and lawyers who are ready to refer.
Activate your profile and highlight why your peers recognized in Best Lawyers today.
Nearby Lawyers
Justin attended Portland schools through high school, graduating from Cheverus in 1989. He then graduated from the University of Vermont in 1993 and the University of Georgia School of Law, magna cum laude, in 1999. Justin served as Clerk for the Honorable Leigh I. Saufley of the Maine Judicial Court as his first job after law school. After working briefly at a general practice firm in Portland, he moved in 2001 to a smaller firm which limited its practice to estate planning and related matte...
Dan Rose represents private and public entities and Tribal Nations in all manner of employment and labor matters on a national level, and serves as a mediator on employment matters. His practice is centered on counseling employers on difficult personnel issues and problem-solving intractable employment and organizational matters. Dan trains and presents on employment topics nationally and provides seminars for individual clients. Dan has consistently been recognized by national and regional p...
Jennifer Riggle is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. Jennifer, 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 Jennifer is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Nolan Reichl is a partner in Pierce Atwood’s Litigation Practice Group, where he focuses his practice on civil litigation and appellate matters, including commercial disputes and challenges to administrative actions. Nolan represents institutional clients in a range of industries, and has represented some of the largest institutions in the United States and Maine, including Central Maine Power Company, J.P. Morgan, Verso Corporation, Bank of America, and Eli Lilly and Company. As part o...
Amanda Lynch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Amanda, 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 Amanda is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
As head of Pierce Atwood's Tax practice, Rob Ravenelle has extensive experience in the planning, negotiation and tax structuring for mergers and acquisitions. He works closely with members of our Business Practice Group to ensure that clients obtain the most economic and tax efficient transaction results possible. Rob's prior experience practicing as a Certified Public Accountant brings unique skills that enhance the value of our services in deal transactions, from mergers to renewable energy...
Ben Marcus is a highly experienced transactional attorney. Ben has 33 years of experience representing clients throughout North America in complex commercial arrangements including equity and asset transactions on the buy and sell side, joint venture and development agreements, workouts and restructurings, and contract preparation and review (including the negotiation and execution of Saas and other hosted agreements, and hotel management agreements). Ben has represented companies in many dif...
George is passionate about achieving the best practical result, but he tries not to lose sight of humor and humanity in the process. He has been practicing law for over four decades and focuses on litigating, arbitrating, and mediating business and construction disputes. His trial experience is extensive and multi-faceted, before juries and arbitrators alike throughout New England and New York, including numerous construction and design claims, some involving tens of millions of dollars; prod...
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...
Explore and Learn
The Family Law Loophole That Lets Sex Offenders Parent Kids
by Bryan Driscoll
Is the state's surrogacy framework putting children at risk?
Unenforceable HOA Rules: What Homeowners Can Do About Illegal HOA Actions
by Bryan Driscoll
Not every HOA rule is legal. Learn how to recognize and fight unenforceable HOA rules that overstep the law.
Best Lawyers 2026: Discover the Honorees in Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Spain
by Jamilla Tabbara
A growing international network of recognized legal professionals.
Holiday Pay Explained: Federal Rules and Employer Policies
by Bryan Driscoll
Understand how paid holidays work, when employers must follow their policies and when legal guidance may be necessary.
Can a Green Card Be Revoked?
by Bryan Driscoll
Revocation requires a legal basis, notice and the chance to respond before status can be taken away.
What Is the Difference Between a Will and a Living Trust?
by Bryan Driscoll
A practical guide to wills, living trusts and how to choose the right plan for your estate.
US Tariff Uncertainty Throws Canada Into Legal Purgatory
by Bryan Driscoll
The message is clear: There is no returning to pre-2025 normalcy.
New Texas Family Laws Transform Navigating Divorce, Custody
by Bryan Driscoll
Reforms are sweeping, philosophically distinct and designed to change the way families operate.
The 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Chile, Colombia and Puerto Rico
by Jamilla Tabbara
The region’s most highly regarded lawyers.