William H. "Bill" Childs

Ken Lehman is a shareholder in Bernstein Shur’s Litigation Group and he co-chairs the firm’s Health Care Group. Ken has practiced health care law for more than 35 years. He is a former Maine Assistant Attorney General where he had responsibility for cases before Maine’s professional licensure boards that license physicians and PAs, nurses and nurse practitioners, dentists, psychologists, social workers, professional counselors, chiropractors, and other health care providers....

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...

Whether it’s international, federal, or state tax planning, business succession planning, or estate planning, Nelson is ready with thoughtful, practical, and effective guidance. He is eager to provide clear explanations of tax policies and help his clients swiftly and confidently navigate the tax consequences of even the most complex transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, tax-free exchanges, reorganizations, and municipal and private activity bond financing. Nelson advises ed...

Randall E. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Randall E., who practices law in Portland, Maine, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Randall E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark Franco is a seasoned litigator with more than 35 years of experience in state and federal courts, advocacy before government agencies, and alternative dispute resolution. He represents clients in a broad range of civil disputes and has specific expertise litigating in the fields of employment, municipal, construction, transportation, maritime, civil rights, defamation/slander, commercial disputes, real property, professional malpractice, personal injury, premises liability, auto liabilit...

Drawing on over 30 years of trial work and federal government experience, Toby Dilworth represents individuals and businesses in complex criminal and civil litigation and investigations. In his civil practice, Toby has represented businesses and business owners in disputes about contracts, corporate governance, fiduciary duties, and trade secrets. He has achieved notable and varied successes in the courtroom and arbitration. Representative matters include: Prevailed in an appeal to the Maine ...

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&rdqu...

As a shareholder in Bernstein Shur’s Real Estate Practice Group, Eliza represents timberland investment companies and wind energy developers on real estate-based projects in Maine and around the country. Her acute knowledge of all aspects of real estate transactions and financings, robust organizational and drafting skills, and calm demeanor under pressure are a boon to companies whose complex projects often involve multiple parties and many moving parts. Eliza’s previous experien...

Melissa Hewey is an accomplished litigator with substantial experience across a broad range of practice areas, including insurance defense, school law, higher education law, employment matters, and complex commercial litigation. Melissa has represented a diverse set of clients, such as insurance companies, schools, colleges and universities, municipalities, law firms, hospitals, individuals, and businesses in a variety of industries. Melissa has tried a wide range of cases and argued signific...

John Kaminski’s practice is centered on business transactions and tax law with an emphasis on community and project development. He leverages a combination of tax and transactional expertise to help clients achieve their objectives. John regularly advises developers and lenders involved in real estate development, affordable housing projects, and historic rehabilitation projects. He has worked with for-profit and non-profit developers on mixed commercial and residential developments, fe...