Biography

With courtroom successes for public companies, regional businesses, news outlets, and individuals, Sig is a trial lawyer with more than twenty-five years of hearings to his credit, including jury trials in state and federal court, multi-week complex arbitrations, and high-stakes administrative hearings. In a complex business case, Sig won a $13.6 million jury verdict in Maine state court. He has been counsel of record in many state and federal reported judicial decisions, including more than thirty state and federal appeals.

Sig's courtroom experience includes a range of complex state and federal litigation and appeals, including commercial litigation, owner/shareholder disputes, product liability claims, construction litigation, civil rights and constitutional litigation, professional liability disputes, government contracts appeals, and unfair trade practices.

In his media law practice, Sig represents the news media in First Amendment matters, defamation and privacy, state and federal freedom of information, newsgathering, and cyber law. He has also served as counsel in copyright, trademark, and advertising disputes.

Sig's environmental law practice includes toxic torts litigation, state and federal environmental enforcement defense, environmental damage and remediation claims, defense of natural resource damage claims, and land use litigation and appeals.

Active in securities disputes, Sig handles claims involving broker-dealers, securities fraud, and investment malpractice. He has participated as counsel in numerous Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitrations and in securities litigation in state and federal court. He is also a rostered American Arbitration Association (AAA) commercial arbitrator.

Professional Activities

  • American Bar Association
  • Maine State Bar Association
  • New Hampshire Bar Association
  • Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association
  • American Arbitration Association, National Roster of Commercial Arbitrators
  • Media Law Resource Center, Defense Counsel Section

Honors & Recognition

  • AV Preeminent® rating by Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Listed in Commercial Litigation
  • Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation - First Amendment Law, Litigation - Environmental, Litigation - Securities, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation
    • 2019 Lawyer of the Year, Appellate Practice (Portland, ME)
  • New England Super Lawyers, Listed
  • Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star
  • Maine Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
  • American Bar Foundation, Fellow

Civic and Charitable Activities

  • Board of Directors, Portland Ovations (2008 - 2022); Board Chair (2017-2020)
  • Board of Directors, New England First Amendment Coalition (2008-Present)
  • Clerk and Board of Directors, Maine Freedom of Information Coalition (2003-Present)
  • Clerk and Member, Environmental Technology Council of Maine (2006 - Present)
  • Board of Trustees, North Yarmouth Academy (2018-Present)
  • Former Board Chair, American Red Cross of Southern Maine (2004-2006)

Firm Highlights

Publication

Schutz and Harriman Author Article for MLRC on Mill's Veto of Constitutionally Fraught Legislation

In an article for the Media Law Resource Center's July 2023 Media Law Letter,  Preti Flaherty attorneys Sig Schutz and Alex Harriman explore Gov. Janet Mills' recent veto of L.D. 1610, “An Act to Prohibit Campaign Spending...

Press Coverage

Bangor Releases Unredacted Files on Effort to Close Homeless Encampment

Following a five-month effort by local media, represented by attorney Sigmund Schutz, chair of Preti Flaherty's Media Law Practice Group, the City of Bangor finally released unredacted records related to its attempts to close a...

Press Coverage

Maine Media Organizations Oppose Foreign Electioneering Ban

Question 2 on Maine’s November ballot asserts that corporations owned or controlled by foreign governments do not have the same rights to political speech as companies here in the U.S. and that foreign governments should be prohibited...

News

Attorneys Sig Schutz, Ben Piper, Jon Piper, and Alex Harriman Selected by MLRC to Co-author Survey of Maine Libel Law

Preti Flaherty attorneys Sig Schutz, Ben Piper, Jon Piper, and Alex Harriman have been selected by the Media Law Resource Center (MLRC) as co-authors of the forthcoming Maine Chapter of the 2022-2023 edition of...

Press Coverage

Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting Wins Public Records Dispute with York County Jail

News

Preti Flaherty Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in 2023 Super Lawyers

Fourteen Preti Flaherty attorneys have been selected for recognition by Super Lawyers , including seven Rising Stars. Super Lawyers rates outstanding lawyers throughout the United States in more than 70 practice areas. Only five...

News

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

Forty-two 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...