Biography

Joe brings over three decades of experience in all facets of utility law, including seven years as General Counsel to the Maine Public Utilities Commission, to his work as a member of the firm's Energy and Telecommunications Group. Joe has developed the firm's strength in the area of telecommunications. He specializes in regulatory, transactional and business issues relating to public utilities, with a concentration in the area of telecommunications providers.

Joe represents small incumbent telephone utilities and competitive telecommunications providers, as well as energy and water utilities, in regulatory, legislative and business matters in a dynamic regulatory and business environment. As a practitioner of utility law, he has been involved in many public utility regulatory and policy matters affecting Maine citizens and businesses. He has successfully litigated numerous regulatory cases, from rate cases to restructurings, on behalf of public utilities, competitive providers and consumers. 

Joe has spoken before the Maine State Bar Association, and at the annual conferences of the Telecommunications Association of Maine. In addition, He is the author of an article titled "An Argument for a Prudent Approach to Alternative Forms of Regulation," published in Maine Policy Review.

Joe served as law clerk to both the Honorable Charles A. Pomeroy and Honorable Edward S. Godfrey of the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine before working ten years as an attorney for the Maine Public Utilities Commission, the last seven as General Counsel. He joined Preti Flaherty in 1989.

Professional Activities

  • Federal Communications Bar Association

Honors & Recognition

  • Listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America
    • Lawyer of the Year (2022) for Administrative/Regulatory Law
  • Rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale Hubbell

Civic and Charitable Activities

  • Kennebec Land Trust, Member
  • Kennebec Historical Society, Member
  • Third Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment, President
  • American Battlefield Trust, Member

Firm Highlights

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...

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

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...

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

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

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...

Publication

Maine Government Contracting and Procurement Update: Public Access Under FOAA to Trade Secrets in Proposals and Bid Documents

Those doing business with state, county, and local government in Maine need to know their way around public records laws. What is the risk that sensitive or proprietary business information submitted in response to...

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...