Former Gov. King Receives Trade Award

The Maine International Trade Center presented the John Bernotavich Award to former Governor Angus King at the Maine Trade Day dinner on June 16 "to recognize a lifetime achievement of contributions towards international trade development."

The Award was created in 2001 in memory of Portland international business lawyer John Bernotavich, a friend of former Governor King, who now practices law at Bernstein Shur.

Since its creation, the honor has been bestowed only once before. Upon taking office, King created the Maine International Trade Center as a public-private partnership by consolidating a non-profit corporation with a state agency, saving funds and strengthening services, according to the trade center.

“At every opportunity Angus King urged Maine companies to increase revenues through cross-border business opportunities -- he personally led seven trade missions as a catalyst in this effort,” said Fred Lipp, an international law attorney at Bernstein Shur who traveled on all seven trade missions with King.

“Former Governor Angus King complements Bernstein Shur's already strong International Practice Group. His far-reaching vision helps provide our firm with a platform to export our firm's legal expertise internationally," said Charlie Miller, managing shareholder of the firm.

Members of the Bernstein Shur International Practice Group who attended the awards dinner included Fred Lipp, Dan Riley, John Montgomery, Gordon Grimes and Kenyon Shubert.

Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson is one of northern New England's largest law firms with more than 80 lawyers in offices in Portland and Augusta, Maine and in Manchester, N.H. The firm provides legal services in all other major practice areas, including corporate and commercial law, litigation and trials, municipal and governmental affairs, labor and employment law, education law, construction law, and tax and estate planning. The firm also has an active practice in bankruptcy, health law, environmental law, technology and commerce, legislative law, intellectual property, public utilities, and other regulated industries. For more information, visit the Bernstein Shur web site at www.bernsteinshur.com.
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