William C. "Bill" Knowles

Ed’s practice covers all aspects of employee benefits. He works primarily with employers in the establishment, operation and maintenance of tax-qualified retirement plans, retirement plans for tax-exempt and governmental entities, Taft-Hartley plans, cafeteria plans, health care and other welfare and fringe benefit programs and executive compensation arrangements. A significant portion of Ed’s time is devoted to resolving compliance issues under the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA...

Eben Adams is partner and Chair of Pierce Atwood's Real Estate Practice Group. His practice includes all aspects of real estate law with a focus on commercial and residential development, acquisitions, sales and leasing. Eben regularly represents hospitality clients in the purchase and sale of restaurants and hotels. He has extensive experience representing developers of condominium projects including residential, commercial and mixed-use condominiums. Eben regularly assists energy companies ...

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...

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...

Molly Liddell is Pierce Atwood’s managing partner. Molly was previously chair of the firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group, where she worked with high net worth families and individuals on their estate planning and frequently served as a trustee for family trusts. As managing partner, Molly oversees the firm’s strategic initiatives, operations, and continued commitment to delivering exceptional client service across all offices. She works closely with the firm’s l...

Peter Felmly advises public schools, businesses, and nonprofit organizations on a broad spectrum of school, employment, and labor law issues. Peter strives to provide his clients with timely, comprehensive, and creative solutions as they navigate the complex web of statutes and regulations governing their operations. Employers turn to Peter for guidance on compliance with a host of state and federal employment laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical L...

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

Sara Murphy focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation and class action defense, representing clients from a number of different industries, including financial services, energy, pulp and paper, insurance, and professional services. Sara’s litigation practice includes disputes related to breach of contract, unfair trade practices, claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, and other business-related torts. She also handles cases involving claims for ...

Having worked as an urban planner, as chair of the Portland Zoning Board, and inside state government, Phil is well acquainted with municipal and land use law. That experience, combined with his legal expertise, makes him extremely adept at counseling municipal officials and boards and obtaining land use approvals at local, state, and federal levels for real estate developers and property owners. And he’s just as equipped to help clients with legislative issues: he helped draft and pass...

Elizabeth T. High is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Elizabeth T., who practices law in Portland, Maine, has been recognized since 2003. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.