May 12, 2008 (AUGUSTA, ME)– Preti Flaherty announced today that Severin M. Beliveau, Co-Founder and Senior Partner of the firm, will receive the prestigious French Legion of Honor Award. Pierre Vimont, Ambassador of France to the U.S., will present the award on May 13, 2008 at 11:30 am during a ceremony hosted by Governor Baldacci at the State House Hall of Flags in Augusta.

The Legion of Honor was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte to recognize and pay tribute to people who demonstrate outstanding military and civilian service to the people of France. The Legion chose Beliveau for his leadership on key projects to improve the relationship between Maine and France, such as the Governor’s successful trade mission to France in October 2005. Beliveau also heads the Forum Francophone des Affaires in Maine, and was appointed the Honorary French Consular Agent for the state of Maine in 1992. He is a French speaking Franco-American with ancestral roots dating back to 1636 when his family arrived in Acadia.

“I am honored to receive this award, which is a tribute to my French heritage. My father, Judge Albert Beliveau, Sr., instilled in me the value of supporting our Franco-American community. This award is very meaningful, both personally and professionally.”

Beliveau’s father and grandfather were successful and well-known within the legal community. His father, Albert J. Beliveau, Sr., was appointed the first Franco-American to Maine’s Superior Court and Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court. His Irish grandfather, Matthew McCarthy, was the first municipal court judge in Rumford, Maine, where Severin was born, raised and first practiced law.

Currently, Beliveau directs Preti Flaherty’s Legislative and Regulatory Practice in Augusta, Maine and Washington, D.C. His practice involves public issues, environmental projects and international trade. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and Georgetown University Law Center and resides in Hallowell with his wife Cynthia and four sons.

About Preti Flaherty

Preti Flaherty has offices in Portland, and Augusta, Maine, Concord, NH and Boston, MA. With more than 90 attorneys, the firm counsels clients in the areas of business law, energy, environmental, estate planning, health care, intellectual property, labor and employment, legislative and regulatory, litigation, technology and telecommunications. Learn more at www.preti.com.

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