Avery primarily practices in the firm's Government Relations Practice Group, dividing his time between Pierce Atwood's Augusta and Portland offices. He represents Maine-based, national and international businesses as well as Maine-based and national trade associations before the Maine Legislature and administrative agencies. A native Mainer, Avery enjoys being at the intersection of law, politics and policy in his home state.
Before starting law school, Avery spent four years working for Senator Susan Collins in Washington, DC. He advised the Senator on issues relating to Maine's traditional industries of fisheries, forestry and agriculture and issues regarding international trade. As part of the Senator's team, Avery gained a perspective on both politics and policy and developed numerous relationships with businesses and industry associations throughout the state.
Recent Experience
- Secured administrative licenses for an international corporation seeking to distribute pharmaceutical products in Maine. Working with cabinet-level Commissioner, licenses were granted within weeks, as opposed to the months initially estimated by agency staff
- Assisted a Maine-based company in securing an energy-related sales tax exemption. This required advocating for the exemption before the substantive legislative committee of jurisdiction as well as ensuring that funding was appropriated for the exemption
- Successfully lobbied for the enactment of statutory changes to requirements to sit for a professional licensure exam in the State of Maine
- Successfully advocated for statutory changes to professional licensing standards to ensure that standards did not impede the business model of Maine's biosciences business sector
- Secured amendment of state-level tax program to allow business client to access tens of millions of dollars in additional tax incentives
- Served as recount counsel for a Maine House of Representatives candidate
Honors & Distinctions
Winner, 2007 Williston Contract Negotiation Competition
Professional Activities
Member, Maine State Bar Association
Publications
Day, Avery T.; Doyle, Thomas R.; Manahan, Matthew D. About face: How a mine moved toward opening in Maine, Mining Engineering (2012).
Analysis of Congressional Budget Cycles: Fiscal Years 2004-2007, Harvard Law School Federal Budget Policy Seminar (2008).
Civic Activities
Delegate, Maine Republican Convention, 2010 and 2012
Member, Republican Election Day Legal Team, 2010
State Counsel to Romney for President