The Firm

Deliberately Different.

We came together because we wanted to build a different kind of law firm. We looked around the legal landscape and saw firms following stuffy traditions and preset rules, staying in the lines and abiding by what they were “supposed” to do. But we envisioned redrawing the lines and setting new precedents, giving clients the kind of creative and forward-thinking law firm that they need.

We’re proud to say that’s exactly what we did. When we opened our doors, we were a small group of litigators, lobbyists and corporate lawyers with big ideas. Today, we have 100 lawyers across New England bringing new approaches and innovative solutions to all major fields of law. And as our communities and culture evolve, so do we. We carve out new areas of law where before none existed.

Some may say we’re a little rebellious, and we’re good with that. Because that’s exactly what the model we had in mind is all about. We set out not to help our clients best conform to the law, but to reshape laws and longstanding conventions and define new solutions and new ways to serve our clients.

What does doing things differently look like? Well, if we bump up against an unreasonable or outdated law, we go to the legislature and get the law changed. If we’re facing restrictive precedents, we craft new arguments and creatively reset the course of a case. If a client has a problem that extends beyond the law, we pair our legal strategy with strategic communications tools to reframe the narrative.

We enjoy what we do, and we can say with confidence that we’re good at what we do. We’ve earned that confidence. And we hope you’ll bring us your business goals so we can help you achieve them and earn your confidence. Together, we can continue to chart a new course.

Deliberate.

“Nostalgia’s supposed to make me say, ‘We had no idea how much we would accomplish, how big we would grow,’ but that’s just not true. We had big aspirations, important goals, and we are now exactly the firm we wanted to be.”

Harold Pachios, Founding Partner
Different.

“We’re about 45 years old—in the law firm world, that’s young. And our approach really embodies the best characteristics of youth. Bold, daring, limitless, not taking no for an answer, fueled by the idea that you can do anything you want to do.”

David Van Slyke, Managing Partner

Firm Highlights

News

Benchmark Litigation Names Preti Flaherty 2023 “Maine Firm of the Year”

Benchmark Litigation has named Preti Flaherty as 2023 Litigation Firm of the Year in the State of Maine. The Benchmark Awards honor distinguished litigators and law firms in all 50 states and 10 practice...

Press Coverage

Authorities Refuse to Release Records for Maine School Shooter Hoax Calls

On November 15, 2022, multiple law enforcement agencies in Maine received false calls alerting police to active shooter situations at several high schools throughout the state. In the wake of this widespread hoax, the Kennebec...

News

Attorney Jeffrey Thaler Named to 2023 Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Energy Law

For the second time, Preti Flaherty attorney Jeffrey Thaler has been recognized by the esteemed legal publication Lawdragon as an elite practitioner in the field of energy law. Jeff is the only Maine-base lawyer...

News

Maine Lawyers and Judges Once Again Show Overwhelming Support of Campaign for Justice

2022 proved to be another challenging year for Mainers. Skyrocketing inflation, an uncertain economic future, an ongoing housing crisis and more factors continue to push more at-risk individuals into a tight spot. Maine’s civil...

Publication

Enforcers Make It Easy to Report Cartels

This article was originally published in the American Bar Association  Antitrust Newsletter  on February 8, 2023.  Did you know that global competition enforcers have easy-to-find websites to encourage reporting of anticompetitive conduct? Not only...

Publication

FY2024 H-1B Registration Fact Sheet for Employers

Registration Process To file H-1B petitions subject to the FY2024 cap for an employee, you must first electronically register and pay a $10 fee for each electronic registration. The electronic registration includes basic information about...

Publication

Maine Workers’ Compensation New Year Update 2023

The new year brings proposed legislation, an update to the Medical Fee Schedule, and two recent decisions from the Appellate Division. Proposed Legislation Workers’ compensation bill LD 53 (HP 28) would amend 39-A M.R.S.A...

Event

Jeff Talbert to Moderate Panel on PFAS Regulatory Action at ABA Toxic Torts & Environmental Law Conference

Jeff Talbert, Chair of Preti Flaherty's Environmental Law Group, will moderate "Regulatory Action: History & Horizon" at the ABA Toxic Torts & Environmental Law Conference. This panel will discuss the 2016 EPA health advisory, the...

Event

Bodie Colwell will be a Featured Panelist at ABI Annual Spring Meeting

Bodie Colwell will be a featured panelist on "Danger Ahead! Avoiding and Addressing Ethical Landmines in Attorney Engagement and Compensation" at the American Bankruptcy Institute's Annual Spring Meeting. The panel focuses on disputes regarding engagement...

Press Coverage

What’s Inside Maine Freight Trains? Public Can Only Hazard a Guess

Due to an exemption from the state's Freedom of Access Act, Maine residents are prevented from reviewing information regarding the transportation through their communities via freight trains of potentially hazardous materials. Rail industry officials...