Best Family Lawyer in Maine
WILL ASHE
Family Lawyer
William Ashe is an experienced trial attorney with a career track record of determined effective representation and consistent sustained success on behalf of his clients.
He is widely regarded as one of Maine’s best criminal defense attorneys and has achieved nearly unparalleled success across the State on all ranges of criminal charges. Ashe was named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Ashe was also recently named to the Top 10 Under 40 in Criminal Defense by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys. The only Ellsworth area attorney so honored. Ashe is rated a perfect 10.0 by the legal rating firm Avvo.
Ashe grew up in nearby Surry and attended high school locally at George Stevens Academy. Ashe graduated Cum Laude from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. After college, Ashe attended the University of Maine school of Law in Portland. At law school, Ashe was on the Student Bar Association, and the Moot Court Team where he successfully argued in the Trilateral Moot Court Competition in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Ashe also served as a Student Attorney at the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic. At the time of his graduation, Ashe had acted as counsel in over 100 cases and had personally won more contested hearings than any other student attorney in the Clinic’s history. Ashe graduated Cum Laude from Law School in 2009 and was licensed as an attorney later that year.
John F. ("Jack") Barnicle
Family Lawyer
I practice law because I want to help people. I receive a great sense of satisfaction out of helping clients, whether it is in the context of a onetime transaction or a continuing client relationship.
I have the technical expertise and experience to help but much more importantly, I believe, is that I care about what happens to my client. The difference between me and the way some other lawyers practice is that I think critically and strategize as a matter of routine, whether I am at the office or not.
In that sense, I do take my job home with me but not in a bad way. By strategizing outside of the workday, I often find new or different approaches that might ultimately lead to a successful resolution.
I am not a 9-5 lawyer because that is not necessarily when my clients need me. It is often the case that in litigation or even in the context of business transactions, clients are not (because they are in the middle of the fight) able to objectively evaluate their own best interests. I am able to do that without inserting myself personally as is too often the case. Often when an attorney becomes “personal” with the other side or other attorney, it literally takes one’s eye off the proverbial “ball”.
While it is an advantage to have an opposing party in a state in which they literally see “red”, I work hard so that my client does not end up in that state (which can lead to excess attorney’s fees and unsatisfactory results). At the end of the day, it is a difficult job because of that high degree of care. Ultimately, my client’s success is my success.
Kristina Kurlanski,
Family Lawyer
Growing up in Maine, I learned early on the values of a hard work ethic, adaptability to change, and the power of Northern hospitality. After having spent four years away in Montreal, Canada at McGill University, I was happy to return to the University of Maine Law School in 2007. It was there that I met my friend/boss/co-worker Joe — little did I know that I would join his practice a decade later!
Before I joined Port City Legal, I sharpened my law skills both by clerking for the presiding judge of the trial court in Somerset County, New Jersey and by working as a prosecutor there; practicing general law in Brunswick, Maine; and practicing corporate law and civil litigation in Western Massachusetts.
As a diversely experienced attorney, my ultimate goal is to set my clients up for success by giving them the knowledge, insight, and information needed to protect themselves and their interests. I look forward to normalizing the law and helping you understand any questions you may have in a relatable and personalized way.
Jeanette M. Durham
Family Lawyer
Prior to earning her juris doctor from the University of Maine School of Law, Jeanette spent six years in the child support enforcement division at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services where she was the designated court agent in family matter cases to establish or modify child support orders out of the York County probate and district courts.
Jeanette’s participation in hundreds of family matters at DHHS provides her with a superior understanding of Maine’s family support laws. Since becoming a licensed Maine attorney, Jeanette has dedicated her practice to family matter litigation.
Jeanette is licensed to practice law in Maine and is a member of the York Bar Association, the Family Division of the American Bar Association and the Family Law Section of the Maine State Bar Association.
John Lemieux
Family Lawyer
John has been practicing law since 1980. He is a Portland native and a graduate of Cheverus High School, College of the Holy Cross and Boston College Law School. After starting out as a community organizer and attorney for Pine Tree Legal Assistance, he spent 11 years primarily as Chief Legal Counsel for the Maine State Employees Association in Augusta.
To be more available to raise his sons, he managed his own law office based in Readfield for several years. After practicing with respected firms in Gardiner and Westbrook, Attorney Lemieux decided to open this office in the Woodfords Corner area of Portland in 2011. The office is located in a building owned and renovated by his lifelong friend, Dr. Michael Goulding, D.C. He is very happy to be serving new and existing clients at this people-friendly facility.
Shelley P. Carter
Family Lawyer
The boring required part: I was born and raised just outside of Washington D.C. in Falls Church, Virginia. I finished college at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia and graduated with honors. I graduated from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota with honors and was on Law Review. The more interesting part: While I was born south of the Mason-Dixon Line, I made it to Maine as soon as I could. I am grateful to be a Yankee by choice! I have been a practicing attorney for over of two decades and I can safely say having spent the majority of my career in Maine, I am here to stay. Maine is definitely the way life should be!
It helps that the loves of my life, my husband Jonathan, my daughter Willow and my four-legged best friend, Baxter live with me in Fryeburg, Maine. If you are willing to indulge my mama bear pride, please check out my singer-songwriter daughter’sYouTube channel: youtube.com/willowcarter. Please also check out my husband’s music website where you can hear covers by both of them, individually and together as well as enjoy Willow’s originals: bluewillowtreestudio.com/music. Willow recently won the local song of the year contest with her original Late Night Drives and is currently a first year at Berklee College of Music.
Michael H. Griffin
Family Lawyer
The boring required part: I was born and raised just outside of Washington D.C. in Falls Church, Virginia. I finished college at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia and graduated with honors. I graduated from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota with honors and was on Law Review. The more interesting part: While I was born south of the Mason-Dixon Line, I made it to Maine as soon as I could. I am grateful to be a Yankee by choice! I have been a practicing attorney for over of two decades and I can safely say having spent the majority of my career in Maine, I am here to stay. Maine is definitely the way life should be!
It helps that the loves of my life, my husband Jonathan, my daughter Willow and my four-legged best friend, Baxter live with me in Fryeburg, Maine. If you are willing to indulge my mama bear pride, please check out my singer-songwriter daughter’sYouTube channel: youtube.com/willowcarter. Please also check out my husband’s music website where you can hear covers by both of them, individually and together as well as enjoy Willow’s originals: bluewillowtreestudio.com/music. Willow recently won the local song of the year contest with her original Late Night Drives and is currently a first year at Berklee College of Music.
ALLAN E. LOBOZZO
Family Lawyer
I came to the law after being a newspaperman. That career taught me to ask questions and to write under pressure, both skills that I’ve been able to apply to the law. I’ve also been fortunate to live in several other countries, which gives me perspective, another tool that helps me better represent my clients. If Spanish or French are your first languages, I can navigate through a conversation in either. My father was from Auburn, graduated from Edward Little High School, and UMO (as did I), which gives me local roots.
However, my mother was from Scotland and I was born there. I know what it feels like to be both local and “from away”. Both these feelings inform my law practice. Finally, I am married with five (5) children. I understand the pressures, and rewards, of relationship and family. I’ve been doing this work for more than thirty (30) years. If you reach out, I’ll be happy to give you my first impressions of your case
Conquer Your Maine Family Law Challenge: Find Your Legal Champion
Facing a family law hurdle in Maine? Don’t navigate it alone. Here’s how to find the Maine family law champion for your case:
- Maine Expertise Matters: Seek a Maine attorney well-versed in Maine’s family laws. In-depth knowledge of local courts, judges, and procedures is vital for navigating your specific case effectively.
- Proven Success & Client Satisfaction: Look for a lawyer with a history of winning in Maine family law. Client testimonials, reviews, and case results showcase their capabilities and client satisfaction.
- Clear Communication is Key: Your Maine family lawyer should be a communication expert. They actively listen to your concerns, explain complex legal matters in plain language, and keep you informed throughout the process. Understanding your rights and options empowers you.
- Personalized Attention to Your Case: Every family’s situation is unique. The best Maine family lawyers recognize this. They take the time to understand your specific goals, needs, and concerns, crafting a personalized legal strategy tailored to achieve your desired outcome.
- Negotiation & Mediation Mastery: Many Maine family law cases benefit from negotiation and mediation. Top Maine lawyers possess exceptional negotiation and mediation skills, advocating for you effectively to reach favorable settlements. Their ability to find common ground minimizes conflict, reduces costs, and expedites resolution.
- Courtroom Champion: If litigation is necessary, a lawyer with strong courtroom presence is crucial. The best Maine family lawyers are confident and persuasive advocates, presenting your case before a judge with professionalism and poise. Their courtroom expertise can significantly impact the outcome.
- Trusted Network of Experts: Established Maine family lawyers often have a network of trusted professionals at their disposal. Mediators, forensic accountants, therapists, child specialists – having access to these experts can significantly enhance your case and provide valuable resources.
Remember, the best lawyer is the right fit for you. Schedule consultations, ask questions, and ensure their approach aligns with your goals. By carefully considering these factors, you’ll be well on your way to finding the Maine family law champion you deserve!
For more information on Maine family law resources, visit the Maine State Bar Association website: Maine State Bar Association
For more information on Maine’s family laws, visit the Maine Courts website: Maine Courts