Cliff draws on a varied background and a broad knowledge base to assist clients with extremely complex problems both before and after suit is filed. Whether he is helping an insurer sort through actuarial and accounting issues, a retailer address electronic data security issues, or a manufacturer deal with questions concerning design rights, Cliff combines a keen appreciation of human personalities and motivations with a financial and legal acumen that allows him quickly to understand a client's business needs and help the client find the most successful strategies to meet those needs.
Having entered law as a second career after taking a doctoral degree in Theology and teaching religion at the college level, Cliff has been active in the area of professional ethics. He is a member of the firm's Ethics Committee, of the Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct, and was a member of the Task Force that undertook the first wholesale revision of Maine's rules of professional conduct in three decades, and he speaks regularly to law firm, bar association and other audience inside and outside Maine on issues of professional responsibility.
Cliff has extensive experience in complex commercial litigation especially in the defense of class actions. He has defended class actions in many areas including securities litigation, antitrust, consumer protection, policyholder rights and electronic data theft. Cliff also regularly represents attorneys in connection with grievances brought to the Board of Overseers of the Bar.
Recent Experience
- Lead counsel for two major retailers in an MDL putative class action and a related state-court putative class action arising out of a data security breach; successfully obtained dismissal of all claims in both actions, as well as favorable rulings from the Maine Supreme Judicial Court on certified questions of state law
- Lead counsel for nationwide non-profit business association and its for-profit affiliate in putative class action on behalf of members alleging unfair trade practices, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and misrepresentation; successfully obtained dismissal of 5 of 7 counts and defeated class certification as to the remaining two counts.
- Lead counsel for shipyard in defense of suit for theft of trade secrets arising out of construction of naval craft for U.S. Government; obtained dismissal with prejudice of all claims
- As lead counsel for consulting group, successfully negotiated, without filing suit, payment of six-figure success fee to group for services rendered to manufacturer in successful bid for financing of major expansion of green-energy manufacturing capacity
- Currently counsel for a Fortune 500 financial services company's subsidiaries in defense of a putative class action under FDCPA, FCRA and related state laws
- Currently counsel for a top 10 U.S. bank in an MDL putative class action brought by customers alleging breach of contract and unfair trade practices
Honors & Distinctions
Cliff was elected to the American Law Institute in 2008. Cliff is included in
The Best Lawyers in America for Bet-the-Company Litigation and Commercial Litigation, is identified as a leading attorney in
Chambers USA; America's Leading Lawyers for Business, and he enjoys an AV® Preeminent™ rating in
Martindale-Hubbell.Professional Activities
Member, American Law Institute, 2008-present
Maine Advisory Committee on Rules of Professional Conduct, 2011-present
Member, Maine State Bar Assocition, 1999-present
Maine Task Force on Ethics 2000, 2006-2007
Member, Edward T. Gignoux American Inn of Court, 2002-2005
Civic Activities
Board of Directors, Pine Tree Legal Assistance, 2010-present
Board of Directors, Cumberland County YMCA, 2010-present
Regional School Unit No. 5, Reorganization Planning Committee