Lawyers in Maine

Finding a lawyer in Maine

Portland has the largest concentration of law firms in Maine, with active legal communities in Bangor, Lewiston and Auburn, and in Augusta, the state capital. Beyond those cities Maine is rural and spread out, and many towns are served by a single small firm or solo practitioner who handles whatever the community needs. That general practitioner often knows the local District Court and its judges far better than a Portland firm.

This directory lists Maine law firms by city and by practice area. Pick a city to see who practices nearby, or start with the type of problem you need help with. Each firm page lists contact information so you can get in touch yourself.

When you need a lawyer (and when you may not)

Talk to a Maine attorney early if you have been arrested or charged, if you were hurt in a crash, at work or on someone else's property, if you are being sued or evicted, or if a divorce involves children, a home, a camp or a business. Land, shoreline and right-of-way disputes are common in Maine and usually need a lawyer. Deadlines are set by state law and some are short.

You may not need a lawyer for a small money claim, which the small claims procedure in the District Court is designed to handle without attorneys, or for a routine traffic infraction or simple form. Many Maine lawyers offer a free or low-cost first meeting, and that conversation is the easiest way to learn whether you can handle the matter yourself.

Common practice areas in Maine

• Car Accident and Personal Injury — collision claims on rural roads and in winter conditions, falls and other negligence cases.
• Family & Divorce — divorce, parental rights and responsibilities, child support and property division, heard in the District Court's family division.
• Criminal Defense — felonies in the Superior Court, misdemeanors mostly in the District Court.
• DUI & DWI — Maine calls it operating under the influence (OUI); a charge brings a criminal case and a separate license suspension through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
• Estate Planning & Probate — wills, trusts and estate administration through the county Probate Courts.
• Real Estate — purchases, sales, waterfront and land-use matters, easements and landlord-tenant disputes.
• Workers' Compensation — on-the-job injury claims through the Maine Workers' Compensation Board.
• Employment — discrimination, wrongful termination and wage claims under state and federal law.
• Immigration, Bankruptcy and Social Security Disability — federal matters with their own courts and appeals.
• Business — formation, contracts and disputes.

How to check a lawyer's license in Maine

Maine has no mandatory bar association. Attorneys are admitted by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court and regulated by the Board of Overseers of the Bar, whose online attorney lookup shows whether a lawyer is registered and in good standing, the year of admission and any public discipline. The Maine State Bar Association is a voluntary group, so membership in it is not proof of a license.

Confirm the status is active and in good standing, that the name and office match, and that any disciplinary record has been explained. Complaints about a lawyer's conduct go to the Board of Overseers of the Bar and its Bar Counsel, with final authority in the Supreme Judicial Court.

How to choose a law firm

Choose a firm whose everyday work fits your case and your county. A lawyer who appears in your District Court each week on family or criminal matters knows the judges and local practice; a firm that mainly does business work in Portland may not. Ask who will actually do the work.

Discuss fees at the outset. Injury and workers' compensation lawyers typically work on contingency, taking their fee out of whatever is recovered. Divorce, criminal, estate and business work is more often billed by the hour or as a flat fee, usually against a retainer. Get the fee agreement in writing and ask which expenses are billed separately.

Questions to ask at the first consultation

• How often do you appear before the judges who would hear my case?
• Which attorney will actually handle my file, and who covers when they are out?
• What is the range of likely results, and how long might the matter run?
• Is this a contingency, hourly or flat-fee matter, and what expenses are added?
• Is there a filing deadline I am close to, and what happens if it passes?
• How will you keep me informed, and how fast do you return calls?
• Are you registered and in good standing with the Board of Overseers of the Bar?

Free and low-cost legal help

Pine Tree Legal Assistance is Maine's statewide civil legal aid program for residents with limited income, handling housing, family, benefits and consumer matters, with the Volunteer Lawyers Project covering other needs. The Maine State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that arranges a reduced-fee first consultation. The University of Maine School of Law in Portland operates clinics where supervised students represent clients. Anyone charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer has the right to court-appointed counsel.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed Maine attorney about your situation.