Greene Martha E

For individuals and organizations in Lewiston, Maine, and beyond, navigating the intricate world of estate planning, trusts, and charitable giving requires not only profound legal knowledge but also a nuanced understanding of personal and organizational dynamics. Within the "Lawyers Near Me" category, Martha E. Greene stands out as a highly respected and distinguished attorney, offering specialized expertise in these critical areas. Located at The Pack Building, 184 Main St #2, Lewiston, ME 04240, USA, and accessible by phone at (207) 786-3566, Martha E. Greene provides comprehensive and insightful legal counsel, particularly through her role as Of Counsel at the esteemed firm Brann & Isaacson.

Martha E. Greene, often referred to as "Meg," brings a remarkable depth of experience to her practice. She was admitted to the State Bar of Maine in 1983, signifying over four decades of dedicated legal service. Her strong academic background includes a B.A., magna cum laude, with Honors in Economics from Bowdoin College in 1976, and a J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Maine School of Law in 1983, where she also served as Managing Editor of the Maine Law Review. This extensive experience and rigorous academic foundation underpin her capability in handling complex legal matters.

Ms. Greene's primary practice areas are Estate Planning, Charitable Giving, and Estate and Trust Administration. Her services are comprehensive and include:

• Preparation of Wills and Trusts: Crafting tailored documents to ensure clients' wishes regarding asset distribution and beneficiary designation are legally binding and clear.
• Planning for Disabled/Incapacitated Family Members: Developing specialized strategies to protect the interests and provide for the care of vulnerable family members.
• Asset Protection: Advising on methods to safeguard assets from potential claims, taxes, and other liabilities.
• Life Insurance and Retirement Planning: Integrating these crucial financial components into a holistic estate plan to maximize benefits and minimize tax burdens.
• Family Real Estate Planning: Addressing the unique challenges and opportunities associated with passing down real estate holdings within families.
• Business Succession Planning: Assisting business owners with strategies for the seamless transition of their businesses, including the use of limited liability companies, buy-sell agreements, and ESOPs.
• Estate & Trust Litigation: Representing corporate fiduciaries, financial institutions, charitable organizations, and individual fiduciaries or beneficiaries involved in disputes over trusts, estates, or conservatorships.

One of Martha Greene's most significant distinctions is her recognized expertise in charitable giving and nonprofit governance. Her insights in this area are particularly deep, stemming from her previous role as the Managing Director of the John T. Gorman Foundation for 10 years before the Foundation hired full-time staff. This operational understanding of the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors allows her to assist clients not only with implementing significant charitable giving plans—such as forming and operating private family foundations, public charities, and creatively using donor-advised funds—but also to provide valuable counsel on nonprofit governance. She helps clients explore how they can make a difference through philanthropy, whether in Maine or elsewhere, by aligning their personal passions with meaningful charitable giving programs.

Martha Greene is highly regarded within the legal community. She has been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers from 2011-2014 and again from 2018-2024, a designation awarded to top-rated practicing attorneys through extensive evaluation and peer recognition. She has also been consistently recognized in Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Trusts and Estates (Charitable Gift Planning) from 2012-2022. Furthermore, she is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), a prestigious invitation-only organization of leading trust and estate lawyers in the United States. Her professional affiliations also include being a member of the Maine Estate Planning Council and a former member of key committees such as the Maine Uniform Trust Code Committee, Maine Probate Rules Committee, and Maine Probate and Trust Law Advisory Committee.

The core feature that sets Martha Greene apart from her peers is her remarkable ability to "clearly explain complicated matters and simplify decision points, no matter how complex the situation." Clients and colleagues attest to her "uncanny insight into family and organizational dynamics." This unique combination of clarity and insight makes her an invaluable resource, often consulted by beneficiaries and fiduciaries to remedy faulty estate plans and trusts. Her deep operational understanding of foundations and nonprofits also makes her a sought-after advisor in those sectors.

While direct customer reviews are not provided in the prompt, her long list of professional accolades, peer recognition, and deep involvement in the legal and philanthropic communities serve as a strong testament to her capabilities and client satisfaction. Being recognized for her pro bono service by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, achieving Katahdin Counsel status for completing 50 or more hours of pro bono legal work, further highlights her commitment to justice and serving underserved communities. This dedication to public service reinforces her ethical standing and professional integrity.

The environment at Brann & Isaacson, where Martha E. Greene practices, is one of established professionalism and expertise. The firm, a respected entity in Lewiston, provides a supportive infrastructure for complex legal work. While the "Pack Building" suggests a historical or well-established commercial building, the focus is on the intellectual rigor and client service provided by the attorneys. The firm, including Martha Greene, continues to serve its clients without interruption, even adapting to remote work plans when necessary, ensuring continuous accessibility and support.

In terms of promotional information, Martha Greene's reputation precedes her. Her multiple "Super Lawyers" and "Best Lawyers in America" distinctions are significant marketing tools. Her active involvement in the Maine Estate Planning Council, combined with her contributions to the John T. Gorman Foundation and the Maine Philanthropy Center, positions her as a leading expert in charitable giving and estate planning. For anyone in Lewiston or across Maine seeking meticulous, experienced, and insightful legal guidance on estate planning, trusts, probate, or charitable giving, Martha E. Greene offers a highly credible and esteemed option. Her decades of experience, coupled with her unique blend of legal acumen and understanding of human and organizational complexities, ensure clients receive strategic and compassionate counsel to protect their legacies and achieve their philanthropic aspirations.