Les Wilkinson of Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson Elected President of Maine State Bar Association

AUGUSTA - Attorney Lester F. Wilkinson Jr. of Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson has been elected president of the Maine State Bar Association.

Wilkinson is the managing shareholder in the Augusta office of Bernstein, Shur, one of northern New England's largest law firms. The Maine State Bar Association (MSBA), a 3,000-member organization, is the oldest and largest professional association for lawyers, serving both Maine's lawyers and the public since 1891.

"I look forward to an exciting and productive year for the association and its members," said Wilkinson, who before being elected president served in various leadership positions at MSBA since 1994.

Wilkinson said his goals for the year include advocating for an adequately funded judicial system, establishing MSBA as a central resource for all lawyers, and improving membership services for solo and small firm practitioners and all members.

Wilkinson has served at both large and small law firms and will provide "a unique insight into the diverse ways law is practiced across the state of Maine, and effective leadership for the Maine State Bar Association and its members," said Bangor lawyer John F. Logan, the outgoing MSBA president.

A member of Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson's real estate and technology practice groups, Wilkinson concentrates his practice in real estate law, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial finance and lending. His professional experience includes providing more than 20 years of wide-ranging legal services to clients includes recent work on highly complex commercial transactions.

A 1978 graduate of Bates College, Wilkinson earned his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1981. He has taught real estate law at the University of Maine at Augusta and been a presenter of continuing legal education programs for both the MSBA and the Maine Association of Realtors.

Wilkinson is a resident of Augusta. His volunteer service outside the Maine legal profession includes continuing service as a director of the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce, and prior positions as a board member and later chairman of the boards of Maine General Health Associates and the Children's Center in Augusta, as well as service to the Salvation Army. He continues as active participant in various parent committees in the Augusta school system, and is a member of the Kennebec County Bar Association. He and his wife Robin have four sons.

Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson is one of northern New England's largest law firms, with more than 70 attorneys in offices in Portland and Augusta. The firm provides legal services in all major subject areas, including corporate and commercial law, litigation and trials, municipal and governmental affairs, and tax and estate planning. Bernstein, Shur also has an active practice in bankruptcy, health law, environmental law, technology and commerce, employment law, legislative law, intellectual property, public utilities and other regulated industries. For more information, visit the Bernstein, Shur web site at www.bssn.com.

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