Biography

Estelle has a diverse practice spanning commercial and real estate law, land use, health law and trusts, estates, and probate.

As a member of the firm's Corporate and M&A Practice Group, she has represented developers, health care institutions and others in commercial transactions. She also has counseled lenders in various financial workouts in which she has handled commercial litigation and the renegotiation and documentation of outstanding indebtedness. Estelle has represented various parties before municipal planning boards and zoning boards of appeal on such matters as site plans, subdivisions, conditional use permits and variances.

As a member of the firm's Health Law Practice Group, she has counseled nursing facilities on regulatory matters including compliance with fraud and abuse laws and the handling of fines and sanctions imposed under federal and state law. She has also dealt with various corporate, collections and creditors' rights issues for health care providers.

Estelle has advised clients on the preparation of wills and powers of attorney for health care. She has handled probate for many decedents' estates and initiated guardianship and conservatorship proceedings for incapacitated persons.

Estelle's fluency in French has served to involve her in the formation and development of the American Association of the Forum Francophone des Affaires, the American chapter of an international organization that promotes trade among businesses in French-speaking countries. In October 1997, she traveled to Vietnam to attend the Forum's sixth international trade conference. She has also advised clients regarding Federal and State election law and has represented candidates, including former Senator George J. Mitchell, in their election and re-election campaigns for the United States Senate.

Prior to joining the firm, she worked in Washington, D.C., as a legislative assistant for U.S. Senators Edmund S. Muskie and George J. Mitchell. From 1980 to 1984, she advised Senator Mitchell on health and income security issues pending before the Senate Finance Committee. She wrote speeches and analyzed legislation in the areas of health, housing, education, labor, arts and humanities and Native Americans. From 1973 to 1980, she worked for Senator Muskie, advising him in similar areas of the law. Estelle also served as Special Assistant in Canadian Affairs to Maine Governor Kenneth M. Curtis from 1972 to 1973.

A native of Lewiston, Maine, she is a 1971 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Bates College. She spent her junior year studying at the University of Lausanne in Lausanne, Switzerland. She obtained her law degree in 1982 from the Washington College of Law at American University in Washington, DC and joined Preti Flaherty in 1984.

Estelle lives in Portland.

Professional Activities

  • Cumberland County Bar Association
    • General Committee
  • Maine State Bar Association
  • American Bar Association

Civic and Charitable Activities

  • Board of Directors of the Nathan & Henry B. Cleaves Law Library
  • Senator George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute

Publications

  • Announcement of Committee on Health Care Reform Meeting

Firm Highlights

Publication

Important Updates to American Arbitration Association Construction Industry Rules and Mediation Procedures

The American Arbitration Association (AAA) updated its Construction Industry Rules and Mediation procedures (AAA Rules), effective March 1, 2024, marking the first update since 2015. The updates are important because the AAA Rules are...

News

Preti Flaherty Welcomes Trust and Estate Attorney Elise Salek to the Firm

Preti Flaherty is pleased to announce that Elise Salek has joined the firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group. Practicing out of the firm’s Concord, New Hampshire office, Elise brings nearly three decades of experience...

News

Preti Attorneys File Suit Against Al-Generated Robocalls in the 2024 NH Presidential Primary

Representing the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire, the League of Women Voters of the United States, and individual voters, Preti Flaherty, with co-counsel, filed a federal lawsuit against Steve Kramer, Lingo Telecom...

Event

Conducting Success: Tuning Up Your Discipline and Performance Framework

As an HR professional, hiring the right talent, addressing employee needs, and managing terminations are just a few of the most challenging problems that arise. During this year's three-part Employment Breakfast Webinar Series, we'll...

News

Attorney Jeffrey Thaler Named to 2024 Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Energy Law

Preti Flaherty’s attorney Jeffrey Thaler has been recognized by  Lawdragon  as one of the top 500 Leaders in Energy Law. This is Jeff’s third time named to this prestigious list since the first publication...

Event

When to Say Goodbye: Navigating Leave and Terminations

As an HR professional, hiring the right talent, addressing employee needs, and managing terminations are just a few of the most challenging problems that arise. During this year's three-part Employment Breakfast Webinar Series, we'll...

Publication

Supreme Court Rules Certain Impact Fees Unconstitutional

A recent Supreme Court ruling in  Sheetz v. County of El Dorado  makes it clear that impact fees adopted by a legislative body may work as an unconstitutional taking of property. The Issue: This...

Publication

131st Legislature Second Regular Session Update

Adjournment and Veto Day After a marathon last day of session, members of the Preti Legislative Practice Group were at the State House on April 18 th to witness the Maine State Legislature head...

News

Benchmark Litigation Names Preti Flaherty 2024 “Maine Firm of the Year"

Benchmark Litigation  has named Preti Flaherty as 2024 Litigation Firm of the Year in the State of Maine. Through extensive peer- and- client reviewed research, as well as analysis of casework; the Benchmark Awards...

Publication

Re/Descheduling Marijuana Through Administrative Action

In the article "Re/Descheduling Marijuana Through Administrative Action" published in the Oklahoma Law Review , authors Scott Bloomberg, Alexandra Harriman, and Shane Pennington explore the complex legal framework surrounding the federal scheduling of marijuana...