William J. "Bill" Sheils
About William J. Sheils
William J. Sheils is a lawyer based in Portland, ME and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2013. William J. Sheils is recognized in the following practice areas:
- Portland, Maine
- Corporate Law
- Employment Law - Management
Current Firm: Perkins Thompson
Education: Suffolk University, J.D., graduated 1991 and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, B.A., graduated 1985
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
While experienced in general commercial litigation, Maureen Sturtevant focuses her litigation practice on the representation of physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals, as well as hospitals and private health care organizations against professional malpractice claims. Using her experience and expertise gained in litigation, Maureen also provides counsel to health care organizations in a variety of health-law related issues, including risk management, policy development, and co...
Ryan Kelley provides legal counsel to public and private companies regarding debt and equity financings, commercial transactions and bankruptcy and creditors’ rights matters. Ryan represents both lenders and borrowers in construction, acquisition, new markets tax credits, term and working capital financing transactions. His transactional experience also includes commercial matters such as the representation of franchisors and franchisees with respect to franchise matters, of manufacture...
Nicholas J. Morrill is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Nicholas J., who practices law in Portland, Maine, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicholas J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Joanna Brown Tourangeau is a member of the firm’s Environmental and Natural Resources Practice Group and has substantial experience representing commercial, industrial, municipal, and Tribal Nations clients on the full spectrum of environmental, natural resources, and municipal land use issues. With over 20 years of experience practicing in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, Joanna delivers clear, actionable advice on permitting, licensure, compliance, and liability matters in con...
Sumner H. Lipman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs and Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. Sumner H., who practices law in Scarborough, Maine, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sumner H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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...
Griff Leschefske’s practice centers on estate planning, charitable giving, and probate, trust, and fiduciary litigation, in which he represents individuals, families, fiduciaries, and institutional clients in all aspects of trust and estate planning, administration, and controversy. Griff also represents charitable organizations, educational institutions, and corporate clients with respect to planned giving and philanthropy matters. In his estate planning practice, Griff provides counse...
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.
Maybe it started with his knack for math, but Kelly has always loved solving problems. And he’s good at it. He is a powerful analytical thinker and revels in solving highly technical challenges. As a lawyer, Kelly puts those skills to work on behalf of his clients to help resolve a wide range of disputes. Kelly’s practice focuses on litigation involving commercial, bankruptcy, boundary and construction issues. He works directly with clients and in-house counsel and has represented...
Dick’s litigation and appellate practice focuses primarily on business and commercial disputes, employment law, education law, and civil rights cases that are typically resolved in federal court. He frequently appears in the U.S. District Courts for the Districts of Maine and New Hampshire and in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Dick devotes a significant portion of his practice to the representation of individuals with disabilities and their families, often in cases ari...
Explore and Learn
Recognizing Legal Leaders: The 2027 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan and Singapore
by Jamilla Tabbara
Market drivers, diversity trends and the elite practitioners shaping the legal landscape.
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.
How Far Back Can the IRS Audit You?
by Bryan Driscoll
Clear answers on IRS statutes of limitations, recordkeeping and what to do if you are under review.
Musk v. Altman: The Lawyers Behind the Case
by Jamilla Tabbara
Meet the Trial Lawyers Shaping One of AI's Biggest Legal Disputes.
Can You File Bankruptcy on Credit Cards
by Bryan Driscoll
Understanding your options for relief from overwhelming debt.
US Tariff Uncertainty Throws Canada Into Legal Purgatory
by Bryan Driscoll
The message is clear: There is no returning to pre-2025 normalcy.
The Legal Teams Behind the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni Settlement
by Grace Greer
A closer look at the legal teams and attorneys involved in the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni litigation and its resolution.
How AI Is Changing the Way Clients Find Lawyers
by Jamilla Tabbara
Best Lawyers CEO Phil Greer explains how AI-driven search tools are reshaping legal marketing and why credibility markers matter.