Preti Flaherty Beliveau

In the vibrant legal landscape of Portland, Maine, Preti Flaherty Beliveau stands as a prominent and established law firm, offering a comprehensive suite of legal services to individuals, businesses, and organizations. Situated at the accessible address of 1 City Center, Portland, ME 04101, USA, the firm is strategically located to serve the needs of local users actively searching for legal assistance through platforms like "Lawyers Near Me." For direct inquiries, clients can reach Preti Flaherty Beliveau via phone at (207) 791-3000 or mobile at +1 207-791-3000.

As a key player in the "Lawyers Near Me" category, Preti Flaherty Beliveau distinguishes itself through its long-standing presence and extensive experience. The firm's location in a bustling city center speaks to its professional image and commitment to client convenience. Office environments in such prime locations are typically modern, well-appointed, and designed to facilitate confidential discussions and effective legal work. While a direct virtual tour of their office space is not available, one can infer a professional and conducive environment that supports their legal practice, equipped with the necessary infrastructure for a firm of its repute. The firm also maintains additional offices in Augusta, ME; Concord, NH; Boston, MA; and Washington, DC, indicating a broader regional and national reach to better serve a diverse clientele.

Preti Flaherty Beliveau offers a remarkably diverse range of services, catering to a wide spectrum of legal needs. Their practice areas extend far beyond general litigation and encompass highly specialized fields, making them a comprehensive legal resource for many. Some of their key service offerings include:

• Corporate and Business Law: This includes expertise in mergers & acquisitions, securities, taxation, emerging businesses, and general corporate matters. They serve as business partners to clients, guiding them through various stages of business development from formation to complex transactions like acquisitions and divestitures, and providing counsel on technology licensing, executive compensation, and debt financing.

• Environmental Law: With one of the largest and most diversified environmental practices in New England, they handle issues such as CERCLA allocation, environmental litigation, land use & permitting, natural resource damages, and climate strategy, including specialized areas like offshore and onshore wind power. Their team has significant experience representing clients in federal, state, and local administrative and judicial proceedings concerning environmental regulations, and are particularly adept at advising on environmental due diligence and risk management in real estate and commercial transactions.

• Litigation: Their litigation practice is robust, covering areas like antitrust & competition, environmental litigation, probate & fiduciary litigation, professional liability, whistleblower & False Claims Act cases, and white-collar defense & government investigations. With a team of over 40 attorneys, including 33 first-chair trial attorneys, they advocate for clients in state and federal courts, and through alternative dispute resolution methods, having appeared in over 100 trials in Maine and New England in the last five years. They also handle class action and multiparty toxic tort suits.

• Real Estate and Finance: This practice group advises on real estate transactions, affordable housing, banking and financial services, land use & permitting, and public finance. They work with a broad array of entities, including banks, credit unions, developers, and municipalities, often assisting with complex financing structures and land development projects. Their wholly-owned subsidiary, Charter Title Company, LLC, further enhances their real estate services by providing title insurance and closing services for commercial transactions, and they have experience with new market tax credit transactions, historic tax credit transactions, and various government-supported loans like SBA 7(a) and 504.

• Employment Law: Preti Flaherty helps employers navigate complex labor relations issues, including hiring and termination policies, compliance with state and federal labor laws, and representation before state and federal agencies and courts. They have extensive experience with union matters, collective bargaining agreements, and defending against discrimination or unfair labor claims. They are well-versed in advising on day-to-day employment and labor relations issues.

• Energy & Telecommunications: This group possesses extensive experience in the law and regulation of energy resources, renewable energy development (including cleantech, solar, wind, hydropower), public utilities, and energy conservation. They counsel industrial consumers, project developers, and energy cooperatives, helping to navigate the evolving energy marketplace, and have over 150 years of combined experience in this field.

• Intellectual Property & Technology: They provide counsel on intellectual property matters, including data security and privacy, helping clients protect digital assets, navigate data breaches, and ensure compliance with various privacy regulations. This includes program and policy implementation, security risk assessment, and cyber incident response.

• Government Affairs: Their comprehensive government relations services span state, federal, and municipal levels, assisting clients with legislative advocacy, regulatory compliance, and government procurement. Their team includes attorneys with prior experience in government agencies like the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency, offering valuable insight into the public sector.

• Trusts & Estates: The firm offers multi-state trust and estate planning services, covering wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, probate litigation, and representation for executors, trustees, and beneficiaries. They also assist with wealth accumulation, conservation, and transfer, and provide counsel on non-profit/charitable planning, as well as representation before the IRS and state revenue authorities.

• Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights: Recognized as one of the largest and most experienced in northern New England, this practice focuses on business restructuring, formal bankruptcy proceedings, and creditors' rights litigation, offering comprehensive solutions for both debtors and creditors under all chapters of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

• Other notable areas include: Cannabis Business, Construction Law, Education Law, Forest Products Law, Franchising and Distribution Services, Health Law, Immigration, International Law (including cross-border transactions, joint ventures, and international arbitration), Media Law (including Freedom of Information), Municipal Law and Finance, Public Finance, Transportation & Maritime Law, and Workers' Compensation. This extensive list demonstrates the firm's capacity to handle highly specialized and interdisciplinary legal matters, making them a versatile partner for diverse client needs.

A key feature of Preti Flaherty Beliveau is its team of nearly 100 distinguished attorneys, who are described as strategic thinkers with a deep understanding of clients' business goals. Many of their attorneys are recognized leaders in their fields, with some having prior experience in government agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice, adding a unique perspective to their legal counsel. The firm emphasizes a collaborative approach, leveraging collective expertise to provide innovative and strategic solutions. Their commitment to staying ahead of changes in legal and regulatory landscapes is evident in their proactive approach to emerging areas like cleantech and data security. The firm is consistently recognized in prestigious legal publications and directories, including Lawdragon, Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers in America. For instance, in 2024, 42 of their attorneys were recognized by Best Lawyers, including one "Lawyer of the Year" honoree, and the firm received 33 "Best Law Firm" awards, with 13 Tier 1 awards across various practice areas in Augusta, Maine. They have also been named Benchmark Litigation's Maine "Law Firm of the Year" for six of the last seven years, showcasing their consistent high performance in litigation.

From a promotional perspective, Preti Flaherty Beliveau actively engages in various initiatives. Their robust online presence includes a comprehensive website detailing their extensive service offerings, attorney profiles, and a news section highlighting firm achievements, such as attorney promotions, new hires, and recognition in prestigious legal directories. They frequently publish articles and legal alerts, and host events related to their practice areas, demonstrating thought leadership and engagement with the broader legal and business communities. Recent news includes welcoming new lateral attorneys, elections to their management committee, and attorneys being recognized in national rankings and appointed to significant roles in legal organizations. Being listed on "Lawyers Near Me" is a critical component of their local promotional strategy, ensuring they are easily discoverable by potential clients in the Portland area. Their active participation in legal associations, such as the American Bar Association, and their focus on providing integrated legal solutions further enhance their market position. The firm also invests in its internal talent, as evidenced by promotions within the firm and continuous professional development opportunities for its attorneys.

Client feedback, as provided, offers a mixed view. One client expressed significant dissatisfaction, describing them as "the worst attorneys I have ever hired," citing concerns about strategy, billing practices (charging for dates prior to engagement), pursuing unapproved strategies, exorbitant prices, and perceived incompetence. This feedback, while critical, underscores the importance of clear communication, transparent billing, and aligning on strategic objectives between law firms and their clients. It highlights areas where prospective clients may wish to seek clarity during initial consultations. However, it's worth noting that this is one individual's experience among what is likely a large client base for a firm of this size and prominence, and legal outcomes can be highly fact-specific and influenced by many factors.

Conversely, another review offers a positive internal perspective, stating, "This firm really cares about their employees. They have worked harmoniously to keep things going with as little contact as possible during this pandemic." While this does not directly reflect on client services, it suggests a strong internal culture and a firm that prioritizes its staff's well-being. A positive internal environment can often contribute to better employee retention, fostering a stable and experienced team, which can indirectly benefit clients through consistent and dedicated service. This internal harmony could be a factor in their consistent high rankings and ability to attract and retain top legal talent, thereby contributing to the overall quality of services provided.

In summary, Preti Flaherty Beliveau is a well-established and highly diversified law firm operating from a central location in Portland, ME, with additional offices extending its reach across New England and beyond. Their extensive range of practice areas, experienced legal team, numerous industry recognitions, and active engagement in the legal community position them as a significant resource for those seeking legal assistance. While client experiences may vary, as indicated by the provided reviews, the firm's broad expertise and commitment to a wide array of legal fields make them a noteworthy option for individuals and businesses on the "Lawyers Near Me" platform seeking comprehensive legal solutions. Prospective clients are encouraged to conduct their own due diligence, including direct communication with the firm, to ensure their specific legal needs and expectations can be met effectively.