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November 16, 2020

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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 6 , 2 0 2 0 From the Editor L egal cases like the one over the May killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis have spurred heated discussion about race in America. But there's also growing attention to race from the profession- als handling the cases. Nationwide, individuals of color are vastly underrepresented among lawyers and law students. Only 5% of attorneys are Black, although more than 13% of Americans are. And the disproportion is even greater in Maine, the country's second-whitest state, after Vermont. In our issue devoted to law, Senior Writer Renee Cordes looks at the imbalance, how the legal pro- fession is trying to change it, and why. See our cover story, "Diverse lawyers matter," on Page 12. Maine business and philanthropic leaders are also working to combat racial inequity throughout the state. With $270,000 in initial donations, the Maine Justice Foundation has launched a program supporting efforts to stamp out systemic racism and build equality in the legal system and elsewhere. A half dozen Maine law firms have signed onto the effort. See "Fundamental change," by Senior Writer Laurie Schreiber, on Page 18. Besides legal challenges like these, the COVID- 19 pandemic has played havoc with dockets in Maine. Jury trials were shut down in March, and while courts have tried to adapt, thousands of crimi- nal cases have been backlogged. Lower-priority civil trials won't get their day in court any time soon. In "e jury is out," Senior Writer Maureen Milliken examines how Maine attorneys are responding, and what solutions may be possible. Maureen's story starts on Page 22. is issue's "On the Record" interview is with Joan Fortin, CEO of Portland-based law firm Bernstein Shur. See Page 24. Our list of Maine's largest law firms is on Page 26. William Hall, Digital Editor whall@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. 26 to Nov. 8. 1. Portland $18 emergency minimum wage kicks in Dec. 3 after referendum passes 2. Maine could soon 'fall back' for the last time 3. Would Mainers be better off if we didn't have to reset clocks twice a year because of daylight saving time? 4. Hammond Lumber acquires North Belgrade sawmill 5. WEX hits pause on $50M Scarborough building, but not on M&A 6. Saco cottage development riding Maine's out-of-state buyer surge 7. Munjoy Hill restaurant space sells for $410K 8. Northern Light Health will close walk-in clinics in Portland, Yarmouth 9. Bar owners and tasting rooms will have to wait to open indoor service 10. Should Maine and Maine businesses do more to return land rights in the state to its indigenous peoples? P H O T O / R E B E C C A M I L L I K E N 1 bernsteinshur.com Be covered. BE SHUR. Excellence in practice, when you need it most. A story in the Nov. 2 print edition, "Maine DOT's 'MacGyver' moment," should have referred to Routes 302 and 201 as U.S. highways. Correction Maine's legal profession faces new trials Mainebiz Editor Peter Van Allen, who usually writes this note, is taking a short break but will be back soon. Nationwide, individuals of color are vastly underrepresented among lawyers and law students. Only 5% of attorneys are Black, although more than 13% of Americans are.

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