Best Lawyers in Maine, United States for Commercial Litigation
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...
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 ...
Mike practices in general civil litigation, with a focus on construction and other commercial litigation in State and Federal Courts. Mike’s experience in construction litigation includes defense of personal injury and property damage claims, mechanic’s liens and payment claims such as damages for delay, claims for additional work and differing site conditions. His work in the construction arena includes review and negotiation of construction and supply contracts and resolution of...
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...
Eben Albert focuses his practice on complex energy regulatory proceedings and litigation before state public utilities commissions including the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) and other administrative and regulatory bodies, as well as in state and federal courts. Eben has deep experience representing clients in utility ratemaking and rate design proceedings, complex utility reorganizations, requests for approvals, and various other regulatory matters. Prior to his energy practice, E...
Erica M. Johanson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Erica M., 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 Erica M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Brendan Rielly has experience in a broad range of civil matters in both state and federal courts (including the First Circuit Court of Appeals) as well as before the Maine Public Utilities Commission. Brendan's practice area focuses on commercial litigation, real estate litigation (including easements and rights of way), school law, probate litigation, public utilities law, environmental compliance and personal injury. Brendan has also served as local counsel for major law firms in both state...
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...
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...
Education: College of the Holy Cross, B.A. Boston University School of Law, J.D. Bar Admissions: States: Rhode Island Massachusetts Maine Federal Courts: Supreme Court of the United States United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island United States District Court for the District of Maine Pro Hac Vice Admissions: Middle District of Florida, Eastern District of Pe...
Using their personal experience building a family and their experience handling complex litigation and dispute resolution matters, Evi helps individuals and couples successfully navigate the legal process of building a family. Forming a family through assisted reproductive technology, second-parent adoption, or surrogacy involves many complex issues. To support their clients through this sometimes arduous and challenging process, Evi: Educates clients about their rights and responsibilities r...
Lucas L. Fortier is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation. Lucas L., who practices law in Portland, Maine, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lucas L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
As a former award-winning journalist covering government and politics, James has a knack for tracking down facts and distilling complex information into clear, concise prose. Today, he applies those skills in his litigation practice, where has quickly established his reputation as an aggressive, skilled advocate throughout the course of his work for the Committee for Ranked Choice Voting. While lead attorney, he represented the Committee for Ranked Choice voting in primary arguments, dealing ...
Cameron Goodwin is an associate in Pierce Atwood’s Litigation Group. He represents clients in a wide variety of litigation matters, with particular experience in class action defense, corporate governance disputes, and complex commercial litigation. Cameron has been successful in efficiently procuring results for his clients and ensuring that they have all the tools they need to navigate the legal system. Cameron has also provided significant pro bono legal services in a wide variety of...
Oliver Walton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Oliver, 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 Oliver is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Susan Weidner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Susan, 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 Susan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.