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 Well, if we bump up against an unreasonable or outdated law, we go to the legislature and get the law changed.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

Press Coverage

Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting Wins Public Records Dispute with York County Jail

Publication

FRBP 9006 Doesn't Take Vacations

Bodie Colwell of Preti Flaherty’s Creditors' Rights & Bankruptcy Group, has authored the article "FRBP 9006 Doesn't Take Vacations," appearing in the October 2023 issue of the American Bankruptcy Institute's Young & New Members Committee newsletter...

News

Preti Flaherty Ranked Among Best Lawyers 2024 Best Law Firms

Best Lawyers has ranked Preti Flaherty among the Best Law Firms for 2024. To be eligible for ranking, a law firm must have at least one attorney named in the 2024 Best Lawyers in...

Event

Eric Osterberg Presents Webinar on IP Rights and Infringement With Podcasts and Livestreaming

Eric Osterberg joins a panel of industry experts to present “IP Rights and Infringement With Podcasts and Livestreaming.” The panel focuses on guiding intellectual property counsel on the IP issues that arise when creating...

News

Remembering Preti Flaherty Founder Robert F. Preti

We at Preti Flaherty are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our founding partners and longtime friend, Robert Preti. Bob was not just a part of our firm; he was a part...

Publication

November 7, 2023 Election Results

Maine’s November 2023 statewide elections were exclusively referendum questions, four were citizen initiatives, and four were proposed amendments to the Maine Constitution. Of these, Questions 5, 7 and 8 were placed on the ballot...

Press Coverage

Bangor Releases Unredacted Files on Effort to Close Homeless Encampment

Following a five-month effort by local media, represented by attorney Sigmund Schutz, chair of Preti Flaherty's Media Law Practice Group, the City of Bangor finally released unredacted records related to its attempts to close a...

Publication

Maine Workers’ Compensation Update - November 2023

The following is an overview of developments with respect to proposed legislation as well as new procedures on independent contractor determinations, medical fee schedule updates, and the use of updated Board forms, including medical...

Press Coverage

Maine Media Organizations Oppose Foreign Electioneering Ban

Question 2 on Maine’s November ballot asserts that corporations owned or controlled by foreign governments do not have the same rights to political speech as companies here in the U.S. and that foreign governments should be prohibited...

News

Preti Flaherty Welcomes Employment Law Attorney Brooke K. Haley to the Firm

Preti Flaherty is pleased to announce that attorney Brooke K. Haley has joined the firm’s Employment Law Practice Group as a Partner. Brooke will work primarily from the firm’s Portland office. Brooke’s practice centers...