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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 7 , 2 0 2 5 From the Editor T here's a notion that law firms are eter- nal, much like the partners that make up their names. In the past year, we've seen the demise of Eaton Peabody. We've seen changes in the rankings of Maine's top law firms (see Page 26). We've seen lawyers leave one practice for another or leave one firm to start another. Our cover story, by Senior Writer Laurie Schreiber, delves into many of those changes. Of note, the Portland firm Verrill, which moved up the afore- mentioned list from No. 4 to the top spot, has been active. It hired several of the former Eaton Peabody lawyers and, though this was not a factor in the rank- ing, it also absorbed a Connecticut firm. roughout its New England offices, Verrill now has 340 employ- ees, including 180 attorneys. "We're still seeing a lot of conversation in the Maine and Boston markets with folks who are moving around and looking for a new law firm," the managing partner tells Laurie. See the story, which starts on Page 16. Elsewhere in the issue, Deputy Editor Renee Cordes has a Q&A with the managing partner of Bernstein Shur, Kaveri Subbarao Nauhaus, who took over from Joan Fortin earlier this year. See Page 22. On the policy side, Staff Writer Tina Fischer breaks down Maine's Paid Family and Medical Leave law, which will begin to make benefits available by May 1, 2026. ough the law has not yet taken effect, employers in Maine have been gnashing their teeth over the legislation for some time. For employees, it's a major perk. For employers, it may be a long-term recruiting tool, but for now it's one more challenge in challenging times. e story starts on Page 14. 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 Mainebiz offers the latest business news in the Daily Report and the Real Estate Insider newsletters. Here is the top content from Oct. 14 to Nov. 10. 1. TD Bank will close 51 US branches, including three in Maine 2. In York County, brewing site will have new operators, name 3. Three Maine schools in top 50 of Princeton Review's 'green colleges' list 4. Maine's 'Realtor of the year' has longtime experience with Maine Listings 5. Lewiston law firm plans move — to adjacent building 6. New condos and more commercial projects underway at Scarborough's Downs development 7. Spud specialists: An Aroostook County family farm thrives with specialty potatoes 8. David Landry, CEO of Spectrum Healthcare Partners, remembered for business acumen, patient focus 9. New life for funeral homes: Disruption comes to traditionally staid industry 10. 'Housing for shipbuilders' breaks ground for Bath Iron Works employees F I L E P H O T O 1 In the past year, we've seen the demise of one law firm. We've seen changes in the rankings of Maine's top firms. We've seen lawyers leave one practice for another or leave one firm to start another. We're attorneys. But we're people first. Meet the Emerging Companies team. Helen Sterling Coburn and Tony Perkins lead this team partnering with founders, investors, and high-growth businesses to navigate every stage of their journey. bernsteinshur.com Emerging Companies Legal Team Law firms not immune to change

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