Posts Categorized: Newsworthy

Elizabeth M. Brogan Returns to Firm as “Of Counsel”

We are pleased to announce that Elizabeth Brogan has rejoined the firm, “of counsel,” and will be working with the Governmental Relations and Workers’ Compensation practice groups, representing the interests of the employer and self-insured employer community before the Maine Legislature. Elizabeth initially joined the firm in 1987, fresh from a year as a visiting… Read more »

NHD ranked in the 2017 Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers

Norman, Hanson & DeTroy is honored to be ranked in the 2017 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers. The Firm has been recognized for the following practice areas: Metropolitan Tier 1 Portland-ME Appellate Practice Arbitration Commercial Litigation Criminal Defense: Non-White-Collar Criminal Defense: White-Collar Insurance Law Labor Law – Union Litigation – Real Estate Mediation… Read more »

Matthew Mehalic Awarded Professional Insurance Designation

Matthew Mehalic has been awarded the professional insurance designation Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU®) by The Institutes. This announcement was made by Peter L. Miller, CPCU, president and chief executive officer. The Institutes are an educational organization that confers the CPCU designation on persons who complete eight rigorous courses and examinations and meet its ethics… Read more »

Pitfalls in Using Nonprofits as a Return to Work Option

By Lindsey M. Sands  A key method to reduce exposure on any claim following a work-related injury is to be able to provide the injured employee with accommodated work.   This option, when feasible, benefits all involved.  It allows employers to limit indemnity costs associated with any injury while getting necessary work done.  It also provides… Read more »

Eyewitnesses Seldom Are

By Jonathan W. Brogan, Esq.  At trial no evidence is more compelling than that of an eyewitness.  A person who was at the scene watching the events, hearing the cries of the injured and the crunching of metal, helping victims, guiding rescue worker is powerful and usually very convincing before any jury.  Any experienced trial… Read more »

New Federal Law Offers Different Avenue for Trade Secret Protection

Carl E. Woock, Esq.   In almost every industry, companies big and small rely on trade secrets to maintain an edge in a competitive marketplace. Trade secrets occupy a broad category of information that is commercially beneficial to a business and not generally known to the public.  Some famous examples readily come to mind: the formula… Read more »

Trading Privacy For Safety: Where is the Line?

By Christopher C. Taintor, Esq.  Medical Privacy: A Balance of Competing Interests   In today’s world, privacy and safety, two values important to all of us, are increasingly in tension.  One need only read the news to see examples, the most recent of which is the battle between the Federal Government and Apple over access to… Read more »

Heavy Metal Lessons: Adventures in IP and Rock and Roll

By Adrian Kendall, Esq.  What can a lawyer learn from Heavy Metal band Metallica? When it comes to intellectual property protection and client relations, the answer is plenty.  On December 30, 2015, an IP lawyer sent a cease and desist letter to the members of Sandman, a Canadian Metallica tribute band, demanding that the band… Read more »

Maine Legislature Approves Significant Increase in Maine Estate Tax Exemption Level

By Kathryn M. Longley-Leahy, Esq.  Effective January 1, 2016, the Maine estate tax exemption will more than double from its current $2,000,000 level to the applicable federal estate tax exemption, currently $5,430,000, indexed annually for inflation.  With this significant increase in the Maine estate tax exemption, Maine estate tax exposure will be effectively eliminated for… Read more »