Thomas L. Douglas

For more than 30 years, Eric Herlan has been representing public school districts on a wide variety of legal issues, focusing on both special education and general school law questions. Eric gives clients practical guidance on how to resolve problems consistent with the law, often coming up with creative solutions to help them achieve their goals, even with the most complicated legal issues. He has represented Maine and New Hampshire school districts in more than 100 special education due pro...

Paul is one of Maine’s go-to trial lawyers for difficult and bet-the-company litigation. Paul provides a unique and effective one-two punch for clients facing the prospect of litigation: combining a deep understanding of how the business world functions with ability to more clearly see the litigation playing field and, therefore, devise and implement winning strategies. As Chambers USA put it in its 2017 Edition of America’s Leading Business Lawyers, “Clients describe him as...

Eliza Nichols is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Eliza, 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 Eliza is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Abby clerked for the Honorable Samuel W. Collins, Jr. of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court upon graduating from law school, and after practicing law with two large Portland law firms, formed LeBlanc & Young in 1995 with her partners, Dick LeBlanc and Jay Young. She has the highest rating (AV) with Martindale-Hubbell. Abby is a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, one of only two member attorneys in Maine. She is also a member of the Trusts and Estates, Elder Law, and Women...

Andrea J. Shaw is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Andrea J., 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 Andrea J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

For over 25 years, Christopher has been serving the legal needs of businesses and entrepreneurs. He often serves as general counsel to clients and his experience covers the spectrum of the business cycle, from start-up, to investment and growth, to succession planning and exit strategies. Christopher also has considerable experience with business disputes and has successfully handled commercial litigation in both state and federal courts. His clients past and present include biotech and techn...

Sam Anderson is a shareholder, co-chair of the firm’s Business Restructuring and Insolvency Practice Group and member of the firm’s Board of Directors. Sam’s practice focuses primarily on representing businesses in chapter 11 reorganization proceedings, including recent cases before the Bankruptcy Courts for the Districts of Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. Sam has a wide range of experience in representing businesses in chapter 11 proceedings, inclu...

Jerry Crouter has 38 years of experience as a civil trial attorney and now focuses on serving as a mediator and arbitrator in commercial, construction, employment, real estate, probate, family law, malpractice and personal injury disputes. Jerry also serves as outside counsel for higher education institutions, advising them on a wide range of ever-evolving matters including student discipline, Title IX, faculty and staff employment, and tenure. Jerry is qualified to serve as a Title IX hearin...

Pete’s employment practice is guided by the adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Pete uses his common sense business approach to help his clients make legally sound decisions regarding their employees while advancing the needs and mission of his clients’ businesses. Pete practices in all areas of employment law, providing counsel and representation to employers throughout East Coast on issues regarding federal and state leave laws, wrongful termina...

Matt is a member of Bernstein Shur’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, assisting the firm’s public and private sector clients in a wide range of labor and personnel matters. Dedicated to his clients, Matt provides practical, effective counsel on all aspects of the employer-employee relationship. Matt is a seasoned litigator with extensive experience representing employers, and regularly acts as an outside investigator for companies facing discrimination, sexual harassment, an...