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 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.