Portland, ME—Bernstein Shur, one of northern New England’s leading law firms, is pleased to welcome associates Ryan Lizanecz and Will Barns to the firm.
Ryan Lizanecz joins the firm’s Municipal Practice Group. He is a municipal and land use attorney who advises municipalities and private clients on zoning, land use, and local governance matters, including permitting, administrative appeals, ordinance drafting, and regulatory strategy. Before joining Bernstein Shur, he represented both municipalities and private clients at Maine-based law firms, giving him a well-rounded perspective on the competing priorities that shape development and local policy. A Portland native, Ryan is deeply invested in Maine’s communities and the regulatory frameworks that support them.
Will Barns joins the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group. He supports developers, lenders, investors, and business owners across a range of commercial real estate transactions, working closely with clients from initial diligence through closing with a practical, detail-oriented approach. Prior to practicing law, Will worked as a software implementation consultant at a national technology company, an experience that continues to shape his collaborative, solutions-focused approach to transactional work.
Ryan and Will strengthen Bernstein Shur’s municipal and real estate practices and reflect the firm’s continued investment in thoughtful, client-focused attorneys.