Bernstein Shur to Host Regionalization Symposium Nov. 16

Event designed for municipal leaders considering pooling resources

Bernstein Shur, a statewide law firm that serves more than 125 Maine cities and towns, has organized a day-long symposium to provide an in-depth examination of municipal regionalization in Maine.

The event, which is designed for municipal officials and related professionals from Maine communities that are considering sharing services with other cities and towns, will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn.

Persons who wish to attend may call (207) 228-7274 or e-mail the firm at events@bernsteinshur.com.

The topic of regionalization has received widespread attention in recent years, as the more than 490 municipalities in Maine look for ways to cut costs by sharing services and pooling resources. Gov. Baldacci has introduced legislation to encourage communities to combine services, and some have already begun to collaborate.

The aim of the Nov. 16 event is to take a close look at the key issues surrounding regionalization and provide detailed information on innovative approaches and opportunities. The symposium will be hosted by former Gov. Angus King, now of counsel at Bernstein Shur, and will feature the following topics and panels:


• Legislative Report Card, an examination of regionalization-related initiatives in the Maine Legislature, with attorneys Geoffrey Hole and Katherine Knox;
• Sharing Municipal Employees, labor and employment law considerations, with attorney Linda McGill;
• Public/Private Partnership – A Pennsylvania Case Study, with John Baillie, executive director of the Chester County Intermediate Unit;
• Uncovering opportunities, where panelists will examine creative and cost-effective approaches to the delivery of municipal services, including economic development, solid waste, utilities, technology, emergency services and tax administration, with attorneys Lee Bragg, Gregory Cunningham, Robert Crawford, Joan Fortin, Bob Gerber and Christopher Vaniotis.
• Auburn-Lewiston – a Maine Success Story, where officials from both cities will discuss strategies for cooperation among municipalities, with attorney Pat Scully.

Bernstein Shur’s Municipal and Legislative Practice is the largest, longest-serving, and most extensive practice group of its kind in Maine, with 11 attorneys representing more than 125 municipalities as either general or special counsel.

Bernstein Shur is one of northern New England’s largest full-service law firms, with more than 80 attorneys in Portland and Augusta, Maine and Manchester, New Hampshire. Established in 1915, the firm provides practical legal counsel to a diverse group of public and private clients throughout the region and around the world. Bernstein Shur’s commercial, litigation, and municipal practices are complemented by the services of the firm’s affiliates, which include Bernstein Shur Government Solutions LLC (a government consulting firm); Stratex LLC (an environmental and engineering consultancy); and Monument Title Company. For more information, visit bernsteinshur.com.

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