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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...