Legal professionals choose to work at Pierce Atwood for many reasons. For some it's the opportunity to work at a successful firm with a first-class national reputation, for others it's the chance to work on interesting matters from small, local clients to large, national or international clients; and for many it's to work with smart people who value collaboration and collegiality.

Pierce Atwood strives to provide a competitive compensation and benefit package. All attorneys are eligible for a competitive package of base pay and a discretionary bonus based on performance.

Benefits are an important part of our total compensation package. Each attorney's work and family situation is different and we have designed our benefits package to be flexible to the unique needs of each attorney. 

Health Benefits

  • Medical Plans (self, family, and domestic partner)
  • Dental Insurance (self, family, and domestic partner)
  • Vision Service Plan (self, family, and domestic partner)
  • Pre-Tax Dependent Care and Health Care Spending Accounts
  • Annual flu vaccines
  • Wellness program and funding for wellness related activities

Insurance Benefits

  • Employee Life Insurance
  • Short and Long Term Disability Insurance
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment Option
  • Business Travel Accident Insurance
  • Supplemental Life Insurance Option
  • Identify Theft Insurance

Work/Life Benefits

  • Flexible Work Arrangements
  • Generous Paid Time Off and Holidays
  • Pre-Tax Parking and Transportation Accounts and subsidies
  • Emergency Back-Up Child and Adult Dependent Care
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Computer Discount Purchase Program
  • Personal Insurance Discount Program
  • Bereavement Leave
  • Employer sponsored 529 College Savings Plan
  • Adoption Assistance

Retirement Benefits

  • 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
  • Discretionary Profit Sharing Contributions

We are committed to the education of all attorneys and their integration into the firm and the legal community. All attorneys regularly attend professional development programs of their choosing, as well as internal workshops and training.

For associates, the firm employs a responsible attorney (RA) system, reviews associates twice each year during their first three years, and then annually after the third year, conducts in-house training programs, and encourages associates to take advantage of continuing legal education programs that will further their substantive and career development. At the heart of the firm's associate development program is its system of assigning each associate to an RA who is responsible for:

  • Supervising and orienting the associate to the firm's practices and culture
  • Monitoring and fostering the associate's career and professional development
  • Assigning matters to the associate, and assisting them in prioritizing matters
  • Providing prompt, thorough, constructive, and personal feedback on their work
  • Ensuring that the associate is performing the type of work and having the type of experience appropriate for them given their experience and development
  • Informing the associate of their overall progress

The RA system is, in our experience, the best approach to ensuring that associates receive constructive feedback on a regular basis, and that a manageable level and appropriately varied mix of work is provided.

In addition to the RA system, associate development is furthered by the performance evaluations that each associate receives from the attorneys they have worked with during the review period. These bi-annual evaluations ensure that each associate's development as an attorney is fostered and that we are providing them with opportunities to grow and learn.

Finally, substantive and career development is furthered by our commitment to continuing legal education through a comprehensive professional development program. The program has included a one-day client counseling and interviewing program, a half-day mock deposition and deposition skills program, practice group spotlight sessions, writing workshops, presentation skills, business development workshops, such as, "Establishing Effective and Efficient Work Habits," and "Twelve Secrets to Success as a Pierce Atwood Associate." The firm also pays for attorney attendance at continuing legal education programs and requires all attorneys to obtain at least 12 CLE credit hours per year.

Pierce Atwood LLP seeks a real estate partner with at least 10 years of experience for its Portland office. Pierce Atwood has an established real estate practice in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. The ideal candidate will be prepared to contribute to, and collaborate with, our team of prominent Maine real estate attorneys. Candidates should have extensive experience handling a wide range of commercial real estate transactions and leasing work. A portable book of business is preferred but not required.  

To apply, please submit your resume to Heather Higgins at hhiggins@pierceatwood.com.

Pierce Atwood seeks an associate with 3-5 years of corporate law experience to join and help build the Business Practice Group in its Portland, Maine office.  Candidates must have a strong background in mergers and acquisitions.  Additional experience in general representation of business entities (corporate, partnerships, and limited liability companies), formation and structuring of business entities, and in finance and private equity transactions is preferred.  Securities law knowledge is a plus, but not required. 

To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume and transcripts to Heather Higgins at hhiggins@pierceatwood.com.

Pierce Atwood LLP seeks a T&E associate with 1-3 years of experience for its Portsmouth and Concord, NH offices. Primary responsibilities will be servicing an existing client base in New Hampshire and playing a lead role in growing the practice. 

Candidates must have some experience with estate planning, estate settlement, and trust administration, direct client relations experience, excellent academic credentials, and strong writing and communications skills.  No search firms please.

Please submit your cover letter and resume to Heather Higgins at hhiggins@pierceatwood.com.