A team of Berman & Simmons attorneys led by attorney Michael Bigos is representing three survivors of childhood sexual abuse by four different Catholic clergy and one lay educator/confirmation officer. They have recently filed civil complaints against the Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland seeking damages, which are believed to be the first civil suits to...
Berman & Simmons News Articles
Berman & Simmons attorney Travis Brennan takes a close look at the Kennelly decision in the spring 2022 issue of the Maine Bar Journal. The Law Court decision concluded that the Plaintiff could not obtain redacted operative reports of third parties to prove a surgeon’s negligence. In his article, Travis highlights the ways in which the Law...
Berman & Simmons attorney Michael T. Bigos has been appointed to the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar, Professional Ethics Commission. Created by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court in 1978 the Board of Overseers governs the conduct of lawyers, covering relationships with clients, the general public, other members of the legal profession, the courts...
Torts. Property. Con Law. Legal Writing. Internships. And the “hits keep coming.” Let’s face it, future attorneys learn a lot during law school. From understanding how to “read” and “speak” the language of the law to moot court and experiential learning. Many young future attorneys graduate with confidence in their abilities. But soon, as reality...
There’s an elegant irony to Craig Bramley’s leadership—though fiercely competitive and driven to keep Berman & Simmons in the spotlight, it’s never something he actively seeks for himself. That’s because Craig—who assumed the role of Managing Director in 2014 and recently celebrated 25 years with the firm—is instead focused on architecture for sustained success. For...
Whether online, in print, or on TV, we’re proud our important work is routinely featured in Maine’s top news forums. This recap of media coverage during the first quarter of 2022 spotlights the many ways in which we’re helping Mainers find justice and recover compensation after experiencing a serious personal injury. Notable Client Work Berman...
Attorney Susan Faunce was recently named President of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association (MTLA). She is honored to lead the MTLA in its mission of promoting and preserving the civil justice system. “The work of the MTLA is critical to protect access to Maine’s justice system and the right to a jury trial. This is...
Trauma-informed lawyering is a new and invaluable tool for Maine lawyers, one that Berman & Simmons attorneys Michael T. Bigos and Elizabeth A. Kayatta have embraced as leaders of the firm’s Sex Abuse Survivors Practice Group. In this article “Maine Practice: Big Advancements in Trauma-Informed Lawyering and Sex Abuse Survivor Claims” originally published in Maine...
In July 2020 Eric Jabbusch nearly died when he was crushed by over 10,000 pounds of steel pilings while working a construction job on I-95. Dubbed “Miracle Man” by the first responders to the scene, Eric has permanent disabilities due to the catastrophic injuries he suffered that day. Represented by Berman & Simmons attorney Travis...
Attorney Travis Brennan is a featured speaker at the Maine State Bar Association’s 2022 “Bridging the Gap” virtual conference being held February 2-7, 2022. This is an annual forum for experienced practitioners and judges to share their knowledge and best practices with newly admitted attorneys, as well as lawyers new to practice in Maine. Brennan is...
Berman & Simmons attorneys Susan Faunce, Chuck Hehmeyer, and Daniel Kagan recently presented at the 2022 Maine State Bar Association (MSBA) Winter Bar Conference, held on January 27-28 at The Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, ME. Attorneys Susan Faunce and Chuck Hehmeyer co-presented “Internet and Social Media Searches of Jurors – Ethical and Advocacy...
Whether online, in print, or on TV, we’re proud our important work is routinely featured in Maine’s top news forums. This recap of media coverage during the 4th quarter of 2021 spotlights the many ways in which we’re helping Mainers find justice and recover compensation after experiencing serious personal injury. Firm News This fall Berman...
For more than 100 years, Berman & Simmons has represented seriously injured plaintiffs in the Maine court system. As part of our century-old commitment to civil justice, we have a proud tradition of advocacy before the Maine Legislature on behalf of the rights of injured Mainers. We are honored to have played a key role...
Each year the attorneys and staff at Berman & Simmons select three local non-profit organizations to support during the holiday season: This year, we’re happy to provide much needed gifts, supplies, and financial donations to the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, New Beginnings, and Cooking for Community. Greater Androscoggin Humane Society is a safe space...
Berman & Simmons attorney Chuck Hehmeyer recently presented “The Designated Hitter Rule – Deposing a Corporate Designee under Rule 30(b)(6)” at the Maine Trial Lawyers Association (MTLA) Annual Meeting. During the one-hour CLE Zoom presentation, attorney Hehmeyer discussed the previous challenges litigants faced when corporate officers and agents would express ignorance of facts in depositions,...
Berman & Simmons attorneys Michael Bigos and Elizabeth Kayatta recently collaborated on this op-ed to explain a new law that allows adults who survived childhood sexual abuse in Maine to come forward and pursue their justice. This opinion piece appeared in the Maine Voices section of the Portland Press Herald. Now is the time for...
Berman & Simmons is delighted to announce that Charles “Chuck” Hehmeyer has joined our law firm. Chuck is an experienced litigator who specializes in medical negligence and commercial vehicle accident claims. He comes to us from Raynes Lawn Hehmeyer—a leading personal injury law firm in Philadelphia, where Chuck developed the only practice in the nation...
Berman & Simmons has again been named to the U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers rankings as the 2022 Best Law Firm in two categories: Personal Injury and Product Liability Litigation in the region. Firms included in the 2022 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from...
This month Daniel G. Kagan, a trial attorney with a focus on compensating victims of brain injury acquired due to negligence, joined Jeffrey S. Barkin, M.D., a brain injury specialist, to present at the 2021 Brain Injury Association of America “Defining Moments in Brain Injury” conference, held virtually. Both the extent and duration of brain...
Whether online, in print, or on TV, we’re proud our important work is routinely featured in Maine’s top news forums. This recap of media coverage during the 3rd quarter 2021 spotlights the many ways in which we’re helping Mainers find justice and recover compensation after experiencing serious personal injury. Firm News 8 Berman & Simmons...