Biography

Severin is one of Maine's best-known attorneys and has significant experience in legislative and regulatory issues. He is a founding partner of Preti Flaherty and directs the firm's Government Affairs practice in Augusta, ME and Washington, D.C. His practice also involves public issues, environmental projects and international trade.

Severin's private practice experience as a legal generalist, along with his work in public practice, the Maine Legislature and the U.S. Congress, make him uniquely qualified as a litigator concentrating in regulatory law and project development. His comprehensive understanding of every financing and regulatory agency in Maine allows him to employ creative, nontraditional legal solutions to problems by effecting changes in law as an alternative to litigation.

Throughout his career, Severin has been a leader in national and international organizations, giving him perspectives that transcend state boundaries. As a former director of the bipartisan American Council of Young Political Leaders, he helped promote cultural and political exchange programs among NATO countries and Eastern Europe. His work took him to Moscow, Leningrad, Riga and Tbilisi in the former Soviet Union. He also served on political leadership committees dealing with U.S.-Canadian relations, European security, the environment and technological change.

Severin was born in Rumford to a distinguished family of Maine lawyers and judges. His father, Albert J. Beliveau, Sr., was a justice of the Maine Supreme Court. His grandfather, Matthew McCarthy, served as the first municipal court judge in Rumford. His uncle, William E. McCarthy, was a Superior Court judge. His brother, Albert J. Beliveau, Jr., was Oxford County Judge of Probate and is a Member of Preti Flaherty.

Professional Activities

  • Maine Bar Association
  • State Bar Association and the Maine Trial Lawyers Association Director, Emerge Maine

Honors & Recognition

  • Recipient of the French Legion of Honor Award, the highest distinction France awards civilians, for his leadership on key projects to improve the relationship between Maine and France (2008)
  • President of the American Association of the Forum Francophone des Affaires, the Maine-based United States chapter of a worldwide alliance of 36 French-speaking nations working to promote economic development through business, industry and technology exchanges
  • French Consular Agent for the State of Maine
  • Selected by his peers for inclusion in Woodward/White's The Best Lawyers in America
    • 2021 and 2023 Lawyer of the Year, Government Relations Practice (Augusta, ME)
  • Rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale Hubbell
  • Distinguished Professor of Franco American Studies at University of Maine, 2008-Present

Civic and Charitable Activities

  • Director, Arts Engage Me
  • Former Oxford County District Attorney
  • Order National De La Légion D' Honneur, Member, 2009-Present
  • Forum Francophone Des Affaires, President, 1996-Present
  • Former member of the Maine State Senate and Maine House of Representatives
  • Former chair of the Maine Democratic Party
  • Former member, Democratic National Committee
  • President, Governor John E. Baldacci's 2007 Transition and Inaugural Committee
  • Former member of the Commission on Maine's Future
  • Former member, Board of Trustees, American Council of Young Political Leaders
  • Former director of Medical Care Development Inc.
  • Former trustee of the University of Maine
  • Founder of the Maine Alliance (part of the Maine Chamber and Business Alliance)
  • Former president of the Samantha Smith Foundation, Board of Trustees, 1993-1996
  • Former member of the Board of Governors of both the Maine State Bar Association and the Maine Trial Lawyers Association
  • Former member of U.S. Capitol Police Department

Firm Highlights

Publication

November 2022 Election Update

Maine State House Most of us who are obsessed with electoral politics expected a tight Gubernatorial race and, if not changes in control of the House or Senate, much closer margins between the majority...

News

43 Preti Flaherty Attorneys Selected by Peers for Inclusion in Best Lawyers in America 2024, Including 1 “Lawyer of the Year”

Forty-three Preti Flaherty attorneys have been named to Best Lawyers in America 2024, including five “Ones to Watch” and one “Lawyer of the Year.” Inclusion in Best Lawyers in America is considered a high...

Publication

Pre-Session Leadership Update

Since our last update before Thanksgiving, House Democrats have chosen their leadership team. They have chosen Rep. Rachel Talbot-Ross, D-Portland, as their candidate for Speaker of the House, the Hon. Rob Hunt to continue...

Publication

Pre-Session Legislative Update

LD 3 “An Act to Establish the Winter Energy Relief Payment Program to Aid Residents with High Heating Costs and to Finalize the COVID Pandemic Relief Payment Program” After Governor Mills’ heating and housing...

Publication

November 2022 Election Update

Maine State House Most of us who are obsessed with electoral politics expected a tight Gubernatorial race and, if not changes in control of the House or Senate, much closer margins between the majority...

Publication

Swearing-In Day Summary

Presiding Officers, Parliamentarians, and Constitutional Officers  The first day of the 131st Legislature was relatively uneventful, and what was most notable is what didn’t happen – the Governor’s emergency energy relief bill. The results...

Publication

Committee Assignments

Committee assignments for the 131st Maine State Legislature have been made public. This article from the Bangor Daily News mentions some of the most interesting choices made by Senate President Jackson and Speaker Rachel...

Publication

131st Maine Legislature End of Session Update

The First Regular Session of the 131st Legislature was expected to end on June 15th or soon after. Instead, the First Regular Session ended on March 30th, and the Governor signed the “continuing services&rdquo...

Publication

Portland Referenda and Legislative Leadership Update

In addition to all the state and national legislative races that were (mostly) decided by Wednesday morning, there were also 13 referendum questions on the Portland municipal ballot and one in Bar Harbor of...