Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson to Join Forces with Burns Ray DeLano & Macdonald

The Portland law firms of Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson and Burns Ray DeLano & Macdonald announced today they have agreed to join forces effective January 1, 2001, according to Gregory Tselikis, managing partner of Bernstein, Shur and George Burns, senior partner at Burns Ray DeLano & Macdonald. The two firms will operate under the Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson name. The two firms will practice at 100 Middle Street in Portland and at 146 Capitol Street in Augusta. They will have a total of 68 attorneys and a support staff of 62 people.

A new Construction Law Group at Bernstein Shur will be chaired by David P. Ray. George F. Burns, Mary DeLano, Arnold C. Macdonald and Carrie A. Green will continue their construction law practices with other lawyers at Bernstein, Shur. The Construction Law Group will join Gordon F. Grimes, John H. Montgomery, Kurt W. Adams and other lawyers at Bernstein, Shur in its energy and utility practice in the United States, South America and Asia. George F. Burns will also continue his general litigation, commercial and corporate work and his concentration on the forest products industry. Arnold C. Macdonald will also focus on commercial transactions, securities and technology matters, and Elizabeth A. Burns will continue her estate planning practice.

"It's a great fit and logical move for both firms, and for our clients," said Tselikis "As a result of the two firms combining, Bernstein, Shur can now offer the strongest Construction Law Practice Group in New England plus strengthen our Energy Practice Group where we have been experiencing explosive growth. We have lawyers working on energy projects on three continents, and we welcome the chance to add these savvy, experienced lawyers to handle the work. They also add depth in commercial litigation, corporate finance and securities, and estate planning. We are most gratified to join forces with lawyers of this quality. "

"We have very similar approaches to law and to our clients, so it's a great fit," said David Ray. "Our firm has evolved into what amounts to the equivalent of two or three specialty departments in a large law firm. Gaining access to the resources a larger firm will help us better serve our clients within our specialty areas and offer our clients a more complete line of business services outside our specialty areas. Bernstein, Shur gives us the best way to do both. Our construction practice blends well with their energy practice where disputes often involve complex, multi-million dollar construction issues. And our forest products clients will benefit from Bernstein, Shur's depth in environmental law and policy." Burns Ray DeLano & Macdonald has been a leading firm in construction law and complex commercial litigation since its formation in 1980.

Established in 1915, Bernstein, Shur concentrates its practice in select areas, including corporate and commercial law, litigation and trials, municipal and governmental affairs, tax and estate planning, international and immigration matters, health law, employment, legislative representation and intellectual property, high technology and e-commerce practice. Its web site at www.mainelaw.com was the first of its kind when launched in 1995, and is now available in six languages for the convenience of its many foreign clients. In 1999, the firm opened TechVentures, a strategic consulting firm that assists start-ups and existing companies with Internet and e-commerce related issues and funding. Bernstein Shur also provides environmental consulting through its subsidiary, STRATEX.

BSSN is the only Maine law firm that is a member of Lex Mundi, an international association of 151 law firms located in all major economic centers in the world.

# # #