Eight attorneys from Bernstein Shur – including two from Scarborough and South Portland – have been selected by a team of independent researchers for inclusion in the 2005 edition of Chambers USA, the definitive directory of business attorneys in the United States. Chambers uses both independent research and interviews with clients and other lawyers to rank top law firms and attorneys throughout the U.S.

Selected to be listed in the guide for Maine from the firm is Scarborough resident Peter J. Rubin for Litigation and General Commercial Law and South Portland resident Jaimie Schwartz for Real Estate Law.

According to the Chambers organization, “The qualities on which rankings are assessed include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client.”

“Chambers is the most prestigious international rating organization for business attorneys and their firms,” said Charles Miller, managing shareholder at Bernstein Shur. “I am gratified that Bernstein Shur is one of the very few Maine law firms represented in all five rating categories.”

Besides Rubin, included are: Robert J. Keach of Falmouth for Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law; Eric F. Saunders of Cumberland for Corporate, M&A, and Securities Law; Linda D. McGill of Freeport for Employment Law; Jeffrey A. Thaler of Yarmouth for Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, Business Litigation, and Personal Injury Litigation; and Charles E. Miller and Nathan H. Smith of Portland for Real Estate Law.

To compile the current directory, 40 full-time Chambers researchers conducted more than 7,000 interviews in the United States during an eight-month period. The resulting independent rankings are considered to be a highly accurate and reliable assessment of law firms and leadings attorneys. Bernstein Shur is the only Maine law firm to have three attorneys listed in the Real Estate section.

A link to the rankings and descriptions of each listing can be found at www.chambersandpartners.com and links to details from the client interviews can be found below.

Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson is one of northern New England’s largest law firms with more than 80 attorneys in offices in Portland and Augusta, Maine and in Manchester, N.H. The firm provides legal services in all other major practice areas, including corporate and commercial law, litigation and trials, municipal and governmental affairs, labor and employment law, education law, construction law, and tax and estate planning. The firm also has an active practice in bankruptcy, health law, environmental law, technology and commerce, legislative law, intellectual property, public utilities, and other regulated industries. For more information, visit the Bernstein Shur web site at www.bernsteinshur.com.

Peter Rubin of Scarborough, named one of America’s “Best Lawyers.”South Portland resident Jaimie Schwartz.