Pierce Atwood

James R. Erwin

Partner

Portland, Maine
Phone: 207·791·1237
jerwin@pierceatwood.com
www.pierceatwood.com


James R. Erwin

Partner - Portland, Maine Office

Direct Dial: 207·791·1237

jerwin@pierceatwood.com


Experience

Jim is the Chair of the firm’s Employment Group. He has extensive state and federal litigation experience in a wide range of substantive areas at the trial, appellate, administrative and arbitration levels.  In the employment area he has successfully defended sexual harassment, age, disability, retaliation, defamation, and discharge cases, and obtained contempt findings and a fine against a union for strike violence.

A former member of the Maine Human Rights Commission, Jim counsels employers on employment and labor issues, conducts training sessions on sexual harassment and other workplace issues, and investigates harassment claims for employers. He also advocates for employers before the Maine State Legislature and administrative agencies on selected, important issues of public policy.

Jim joined Pierce Atwood in 1987. Before that he served for five years as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maine. In that capacity he prosecuted homicides statewide and advised multiple state agencies on law enforcement matters.

Honors and Distinctions

Jim is a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.  He is also recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, 2010 edition, and Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers for labor and employment law.

Publications

Jim served as an author and editor of the ABA Section of Litigation’s, “Model Jury Instructions: Employment Litigation, 2d. Ed.” and “Employment Litigation Handbook.”

Professional Activities

Jim is a member of the board of directors of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Alliance for Maine's Future and a former director of the American Counsel Association.  He is also a member of the United States Chamber of Commerce Labor Relations Policy Committee.

Education

Jim graduated with honors from Phillips Exeter Academy (1971). He received his A.B. from Dartmouth College (Cum Laude, with High Distinction in English, 1975) and his J.D. from Boston University School of Law (1978). He also completed the National District Attorneys Association Career Prosecutor Course at the University of Houston (1982).

Bar Admissions

Jim is admitted to practice in Maine; the U.S. District Court, District of Maine; and the U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit.

Representative Matters

Allen v. International Paper Company
Barker v. International Paper Co.
Cole v. Chandler
Flaherty v. S.D. Warren
Gahagan v. Douglas Dynamics
Gordan v. Cummings
Guilmette v. Microcomplete, et al.
International Paper Company v. United Paperworkers Intern. Union
Kerkhof v. MCIWorldCom, Inc.
Maine Pulp & Paper Association
Plumley v. Southern Container
Reed v. Avian Farms, Inc.
Reed v. MBNA Marketing Systems, Inc.
Snow v. American Red Cross
State v. Kargar
Sylvester v. Dead River Co.

Authored Articles

May 29, 2009   Report from Washington
May 19, 2009   "Caregiver" Discrimination Bill Passes Maine House
April 8, 2009   LD 1185 Threaten Drastic Change to the Nature of the Employment Relationship in Maine
March 24, 2009   Sen. Specter Announces Opposition to EFCA
More >>

Associated Articles

3/21/2007 - Disability Bill Gains Support of Employer Coalition
1/19/2007 - Employment Legislation

Related News

Pierce Atwood Attorney Publishes Opinion on Maine's Sick Leave Mandate


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Education

Jim graduated with honors from Phillips Exeter Academy (1971). He received his A.B. from Dartmouth College (Cum Laude, with High Distinction in English, 1975) and his J.D. from Boston University School of Law (1978). He also completed the National District Attorneys Association Career Prosecutor Course at the University of Houston (1982).

Bar Admissions

Jim is admitted to practice in Maine; the U.S. District Court, District of Maine; and the U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit.

Representative Matters

Allen v. International Paper Company
Barker v. International Paper Co.
Cole v. Chandler
Flaherty v. S.D. Warren
Gahagan v. Douglas Dynamics
Gordan v. Cummings
Guilmette v. Microcomplete, et al.
International Paper Company v. United Paperworkers Intern. Union
Kerkhof v. MCIWorldCom, Inc.
Maine Pulp & Paper Association
Plumley v. Southern Container
Reed v. Avian Farms, Inc.
Reed v. MBNA Marketing Systems, Inc.
Snow v. American Red Cross
State v. Kargar
Sylvester v. Dead River Co.

Authored Articles

May 29, 2009   Report from Washington
May 19, 2009   "Caregiver" Discrimination Bill Passes Maine House
April 8, 2009   LD 1185 Threaten Drastic Change to the Nature of the Employment Relationship in Maine
March 24, 2009   Sen. Specter Announces Opposition to EFCA
More >>

Associated Articles

3/21/2007 - Disability Bill Gains Support of Employer Coalition
1/19/2007 - Employment Legislation

Related News

Pierce Atwood Attorney Publishes Opinion on Maine's Sick Leave Mandate



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