Practices | Municipal and Regulatory

What We Do

Bernstein Shur’s Municipal and Regulatory Practice Group is Maine’s longest serving, largest and most experienced municipal law practice group. We serve as general counsel or special counsel to more than 125 Maine municipalities. Best Lawyers in America® 2012 ranked Bernstein Shur’s municipal group No. 1 in the United States. 

Our attorneys serve as special counsel to governmental entities including:

  • Towns, cities and counties
  • School districts
  • Water districts
  • Sanitary and sewer districts
  • Regional planning commissions
  • Councils of governments
  • Regional waste disposal groups

No law firm in Maine can match Bernstein Shur’s record of specialized knowledge and breadth of experience in municipal law.

Cost-Effective Solutions Aimed at Avoiding Litigation

Our municipal lawyers stress the practice of preventative law, helping municipal officials avoid judicial challenges to their actions. This approach helps our clients avoid litigation, the most significant component of legal expenses for most Maine municipalities.

Education & Training For Clients

We work closely with elected officials, board members, committees and department heads.

We train newly elected officials and staff to help them develop the background and knowledge necessary to fulfill their responsibilities. Because we believe that education and training ultimately reduce legal costs to a community, we provide ongoing education and training programs at no cost to our clients.

Private & Business Interest Counsel

Our breadth of experience enables us to effectively and efficiently represent private and business interests before local governments and other public entities. We routinely provide assistance to clients in:

  • local and state land use permitting matters
  • ad valorem property tax valuation disputes
  • assistance securing tax increment financing
  • qualifying for economic development programs
  • securing bond financing

To learn more, contact one of the practice group co-leaders. Reach Joan Fortin at (207) 228-7310, jfortin@bernsteinshur.com or Rob Crawford at (207) 774-1200, rcrawford@bernsteinshur.com.

Case study:  A Puzzle In Pieces