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V I E W P O I N T S W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 3 N OV E M B E R 1 1 , 2 0 1 9 From the Editor S mall businesses face a range of issues as they get established. For many entrepreneurs, deal- ing with branding and trademark issues probably doesn't rank near the top of their priorities. Enter the Legal Food Hub, a group of volun- teer lawyers that provide free legal help to busi- nesses. For our cover story, Senior Writer Laurie Schreiber talks with entrepreneurs and some of the attorneys that have helped them. Case in point, Crooked Face Creamery in Norridgewock. Owner Amy Rowbottom was concerned about her com- pany's brand and logo, a simple drawing of a cow with a crooked face. Operating on slim margins, she couldn't afford a lawyer, but through the Legal Food Hub she was able to save several thousand dollars in fees and get in a federal trademark application. As attorney David McConnell of Perkins|ompson told Laurie, "there are a lot of traps for the unwary." e story starts on Page 14. e Americans with Disabilities Act has been around since the early 1990s. But for all the guide- lines it set up around accessibility, the internet was so new that websites were given no attention. Now, there's a groundbreaking case of a visually impaired man suing Domino's Pizza, claiming he was not able to order from the mobile app. Businesses — particularly retailers, service companies and travel- and-hospitality operators — are becoming more wary about accessibility to their websites and apps. With federal guidelines still being drafted, Senior Writer Maureen Milliken talks to a legal expert about what businesses can expect. See Page 20. Another issue that's been on the mind of busi- nesses and law firms alike is the tight labor market. Senior Writer Renee Cordes talked to Maine law firms about ways they're becoming more active in locking down recruits. Summer associates have always been potential hires, but they're getting offers earlier than ever. At the same time, retention is critical as well. As Joan Fortin, incoming CEO of the Portland firm Bernstein Shur says, "We don't sell widgets. It's people, it's a relationship business, and the quality of our hires is extremely important." See Page 24. In our "On the Record" Q&A, we talk to a Pierce Atwood attorney who doubles as an entrepreneur. He launched a Portland climbing gym that has attracted a wide range of customers. See Page 30. Bernstein Shur tops the list of Maine's largest law firms. See Page 32. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz Featured @ Mainebiz.biz For a daily digest of Maine's top business news, sign up for the Mainebiz Daily Report at mainebiz.biz/enews Get Maine's business news daily at mainebiz.biz and on Twitter (@Mainebiz). Below is our most popular content for the two weeks from Oct. 21 to Nov. 4. 1. Covetrus CEO Benjamin Shaw resigns 2. Neighboring Portland eatery will move to Silly's site 3. Ayers resigns from top IDEXX leadership role 4. Three Portland-area businesses close their doors 5. In the tough Maine news industry, a weekly Portland paper is reborn 6. Olympia Sports begins ringing up final sales at 8 Maine stores 7. Ski Maine chief to retire 'with a mission,' helping run family orchard business 8. Expansion of state EV charging program to 23 Maine towns, cities announced 9. Former Maine video store owner convicted for pirating thousands of movies 10. A new 'glampground' comes to Acadia P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY 1 bernsteinshur.com Be smart. BE SHUR. When you need a lawyer who thinks like an executive and speaks like a human. Focus on law highlights a range of issues For entrepreneurs, dealing with trademark issues may not rank near the top of the to-do list.

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