Biography

Rick practices with the firm's Real Estate and Finance and Corporate and M&A practice groups and is the former Chair of the Corporate and M&A Practice Group. He handles all types of commercial transactions, with emphasis on buying and selling businesses, structuring business relationships, lending transactions, construction contracting, and technology procurement.

Previous Legal Experience
After receiving his law degree from Yale Law School in 1972, Rick worked in the Maine Governor's Office as Federal State Coordinator, Maine Alternate to the New England Regional Commission and Special Assistant to Governor Kenneth M. Curtis. As the governor's aide, Rick had staff responsibilities for natural resources, energy, environmental protection, economic development and Native American affairs. He served as Development Officer and General Counsel to the Maine State Housing Authority from 1975 to 1977. In 1977, he became Administrative Assistant to Governor Curtis during the governor's term as chairman of the Democratic National Committee. A year later, he joined Preti Flaherty.

Professional Activities

  • Fellow, American College of Mortgage Attorneys
    • Opinions Committee
    • Legislative Committee
    • Former State Chair for Maine
    • Former Member of Board of Regents
  • Maine Bar Foundation, Former Member of Board of Directors, President and Treasurer
  • Maine Real Estate Development Association, Public Policy Committee

Honors & Recognition

  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in America
  • Recognized by New England Super Lawyers
  • Rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale Hubbell
  • Maine Real Estate Development Association, Legislative Committee
    • Public Policy Advocacy Award, 1992
    • Founder's Award, 2002
  • Lectured on legal opinions in business transactions, eminent domain and health privacy matters

Civic and Charitable Activities

  • Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, Inc.
    • Quality Committee
    • Former Member of Board of Directors, President and Treasurer
  • Maine Historical Society, Member
  • New England Historical and Genealogical Society, Member
  • Ohio Genealogical Society, Member

Firm Highlights

News

Matthew C. Worthen Joins Preti Flaherty’s Real Estate and Finance Practice Group

Preti Flaherty is pleased to welcome Matthew C. Worthen as a Director in the firm’s Real Estate and Finance Group. Worthen previously served as a Shareholder and Chair of the Real Estate Group at...

Publication

Recent Massachusetts Appeals Court Decision Holds that Construction Defects Are Not Covered by CGL Policy

The recent Massachusetts Appeals Court decision in Lessard v. R.C. Havens & Sons, Inc. (August 2024) offers important clarification for contractors, subcontractors, and insurers regarding the coverage of construction defects under commercial general liability...

Publication

Supreme Court Clarifies Constitutionality of Outdoor Camping Bans

Earlier today the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in the  City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson et al. , overturning a 2019 decision from the 9 th  Circuit Court, which held...

Event

2024 Maine Employment Law Summit

Join us for Preti Flaherty's 2024 Maine Employment Law Summit! For almost three decades, Preti Flaherty's Employment Law team has delivered practical insights and best practices to Maine employers at our annual fall Employment...

News

Preti Flaherty Names Michael S. Smith as Managing Partner

Preti Flaherty announced this week the election of Michael S. Smith as the firm’s new Managing Partner, effective July 15, 2024. He succeeds David Van Slyke, who is resuming his role as chair of...

Press Coverage

Portland law firm Preti Flaherty unveils renovated HQ space

Preti Flaherty has remodeled its Portland headquarters, spanning three floors and 41,000 square feet at One City Center. The update features hybrid workstations, collaborative areas, and an internal staircase that integrates flexible conference and...

Publication

Copyright Litigation: Substantial Similarity

In copyright litigation, courts assess substantial similarity to determine if alleged copying constitutes infringement. This evaluation involves comparing works across different categories using objective measures and subjective impressions to weigh similarities and dissimilarities. Even when...

News

36 Preti Flaherty Attorneys, including 4 “Ones to Watch” Recognized by National Directory

Thirty-six Preti Flaherty attorneys, including four “Ones to Watch,” have been named to Best Lawyers in America 2025, a highly regarded directory of attorneys and law firms in the United States. The individual attorneys...

Press Coverage

Looking to 'new generation,' Preti Flaherty promotes 42-year-old litigator to managing partner

Effective July 15, Michael S. Smith has been named managing partner of the law firm Preti Flaherty. Michael succeeds David Van Slyke, who will resume his role as chair of the firm’s environmental practice...

Publication

Maine DEP Issues PFAS in Products Concept Draft Rule

The Maine DEP’s PFAS in Products Program has released its long-awaited Chapter 90 concept draft language (the “PFAS in Products Rule”) for implementation of Maine’s recently-amended “PFAS in Products Law.” The concept draft provides...