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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 6 Featured @ Mainebiz.biz For a daily digest of Maine's top business news, sign up for the Mainebiz Daily Report at mainebiz.biz/enews From the Editor A cross Maine, the legal industry has a full docket of makeovers, relocations, acquisitions and startups designed to meet market demand and cli- ent expectations, as Senior Writer Laurie Schreiber reports. At professional services firms, protocol is still important. An inviting office space is still important to clients, as one source tells Laurie. "We wanted a space that creates a welcoming, profes- sional first impression for clients and that makes them feel comfortable from the moment they arrive," says one managing partner. At the same time, sometimes it's important to just have a presence. Maine's rural areas still strug- gle to keep a legal presence. At least five counties in Maine have fewer than 20 lawyers each. "ere is a large, unmet market in Maine today with fewer and fewer rural practitioners, yet people in these areas continue to have legal needs," says a managing partner. Artificial intelligence is changing the business world, and law firms are no exception. Deputy Editor Renee Cordes talks with law firms about the challenge of keeping a sharp mind while also taking advantage of the time savings AI can provide. She quotes John Houseman as Professor Kingsfield in "e Paper Chase," a 1973 movie. "You come in here with a skull full of mush, and you leave thinking like a lawyer," he tells first-year students at Harvard Law School. One hopes AI doesn't create a reverse effect. is issue also features a look at how companies are coping with Maine's new-ish paid leave law. In short: It's been a challenge. "e legislation is so open-ended, the paperwork and tracking so bur- densome and the approval process of rubber stamp- ing any request has made it very difficult to run our business, as we never know who is coming to work on any given day," the owner of a manufacturing firm tells Staff Writer Tina Fischer. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz Artificial intelligence is changing the business world, and law firms are no exception. We're attorneys. But we're people first. bernsteinshur.com Jonathan Fox Senior Associate Meet Jon. A trusted advisor to businesses, investors, and private equity firms buying, selling, investing, and growing, Jon represents clients on both sides of transactions, from closely held business acquisitions to sophisticated middle-market deals. F I L E P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY 1 Mainebiz offers the latest business news in the Daily Report and the Real Estate Insider newsletters. Here is the top content from Oct. 26 to Nov. 7. 1. Westbrook canned-water brand to start distributing in Florida 2. Portland's Minibar closes after a year in business 3. More affordable apartments for Bath residents in the works 4. Sweat equity helps transform Kennebec County farm into wedding venue 5. Portfolio of 116 housing units in Rumford and Mexico sells for $6.2M 6. How a Hermon small business gained a global market share 7. Lisbon greenhouse complex sold at auction amid widespread interest 8. Ballot measures include early Christmas present for Kennebunkport 9. Lewiston business-services firm taps banking veteran as president 10. Three innovative Maine developments honored for 'smart growth' Legal eagles wrestle with physical as well as cloud-based realities

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