Litigation Practice Group

The Litigation Group oversees a broad-based practice that represents both plaintiffs and defendants. We have the experience and training to assist clients in all adversarial contexts, including hearings, trials, appeals, mediation and arbitration in federal and state court and in administrative agency and board proceedings. We represent our clients in matters ranging from commercial disputes, bankruptcy proceedings, business torts, employment cases (including Maine Human Rights Commission cases), products liability, personal injury, land use and environmental law, mass tort litigation, insurance defense, white collar criminal defense, antitrust cases, class actions, constitutional issues, immigration matters, collections, real estate disputes, contract disputes, and construction disputes.

Attorneys in the Group include David McConnell (Chair), John Ciraldo, John Hobson, Fred Bopp, Andy Cadot, Doug Carr, Peggy McGehee, Randy Creswell, Dawn Harmon, Tony Manhart, Stephanie Williams and Keith Dunlap.

In all litigation, we specialize in maximizing the effective pursuit of plaintiffs' or defendants' rights through out-of-court settlement, alternative dispute resolution, or trial when appropriate. Our attorneys maintain unsurpassed dedication to clients, a can-do work ethic, cost-effective results, and a high rate of success.

Andy Cadot, the Group's of counsel member, John Hobson, and Fred Bopp are listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2008 (copyright 2007 by Woodward/White, Inc. of Aiken, S.C.), Maine. John Hobson is also listed in New England Super Lawyers (2007) in the fields of Business Litigation and Construction Law respectively. Group members maintain membership in the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, American Board of Trial Advocates, American Immigration Lawyers, the Maine Trial Lawyers Association, and other professional organizations.

The Group's attorneys are licensed to practice in state and federal courts in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, District of Columbia, and Maryland.

Construction

We are experienced in all construction disputes. We handle disputes between construction contractors, construction managers, builders, subcontractors, suppliers, developers, owners, municipalities, and insurance companies. We also know the value of early resolution of claims and work efficiently toward settlement, alternative dispute resolution, and mediation where appropriate.

Employment and Labor

We represent corporate and individual clients in a wide range of employment-related situations. We help businesses and individuals litigate immigration issues, compliance issues, and employee benefit issues, as well as represent our clients before the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA), State and Federal labor relation boards, the Maine Human Rights Commission, the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, and State and Federal Labor Departments. We handle arbitrations, discipline and discharge hearings, and grievance proceedings.

Personal Injury

We have extensive experience in a variety of personal injury cases, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. Our attorneys handle cases ranging from automobile accident lawsuits to medical malpractice lawsuits. We also have had great success in achieving favorable settlements for clients outside of the court system through alternative dispute resolution and mediation.

Products Liability and Mass Tort

We have the experience and knowledge to litigate complex products liability and mass tort cases. We represent any or all parties along the chain of manufacture of any product for damages caused by that product, as well as plaintiffs, in all manner of claims, claims based on negligence, strict liability, or breach of warranty of fitness.