Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

My law firm partner and I operate a practice on the West End of Portland, Maine. We have a different philosophy than other law firms - we believe that the client should be the focus, instead of the billable hour.

We provide services to clients in the following areas:

Cumberland County, Maine
York County, Maine
Androscoggin County, Maine
Sagadahoc County, Maine

Including the cities and towns of:

Portland, ME
South Portland, ME
Westbrook, ME
Scarborough, ME
Cumberland, ME
Falmouth, ME
Gorham, ME
Yarmouth, ME
Buxton, ME
Hollis, ME
Standish, ME
Windham, ME
Freeport, ME
Biddeford, ME
Saco, ME
Old Orchard Beach, ME
Wells, ME
Cornish, ME
Berwick, ME
Lebanon, ME
Sanford, ME
Springvale, ME
Kennebunk, ME
Brunswick, ME
Bath, ME
Harpswell, ME
Lewiston, ME
Auburn, ME

And we handle cases in the following practice areas:

PORTLAND MAINE AREA BANKRUPTCY

Chapter 7 bankruptcy
Chapter 12 bankruptcy
Chapter 13 bankruptcy
Adversary actions
Debtor audits
Reaffirmation agreements
Business bankruptcy

PORTLAND MAINE AREA BUSINESS AND CORPORATE LAW

Americans with Disabilities Act
Asset protection
Business financing
Business operations
Business regulations
Buy/Sell agreements
Bylaws
Business closing
Business and Corporate Real Estate Matters
Confidentiality agreements
Contracts
Corporations
Employment agreements
Employment Discrimination
Family partnersips
Forms
Incorporation
Independent contractor agreements
Joint ventures
Employment law
Limited Liability Companies
Limited Liability Partnerships
Litigation
Maine Human Rights Commission
Non-Profit Corporations
Noncompete agreements
Severance agreements
Severance pay
Shareholder agreeements
Sole proprietorships
Starting a business
Wage and hour laws

PORTLAND MAINE AREA CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Operating after Suspension (OAS)
Fleeing and eluding
Reckless driving
Juvenile charges and arrests
Assault and battery
Domestic Violence Assault
Criminal mischief
Disorderly conduct
Loitering and Cruising
Obstructing justice
Theft
Shoplifting
Trespass
Portland Maine Area Felony Crimes

PORTLAND MAINE AREA DIVORCE and FAMILY LAW

Adoption
Alimony
Annulments
Child abuse
Child custody
Child support
Child support enforcement
Conservatorship
De Facto Parents
Divorce
Domestic partnerships
Family Court proceedings
Family law
Foster care
Guardian ad Litem services
GLBT family law
Grandparent custody and visitation rights
Grandparent rights
Guardianship
Name change
Parental Rights and Responsibilities
Parenting Agreements
Paternity
Postnuptial agreements
Protection from Abuse
Protection from Harassment
Prenuptial agreements
Separation

PORTLAND AREA ELDER LAW, ESTATE PLANNING, TRUSTS, PROBATE and WILLS

Administering estates and trusts
Advanced directives
Assisted Living
Court representation for executors, trustees, creditors or beneficiaries
Elder Abuse
Estate and trust accountings
Estate administration and settlement
Estate litigation - Contested estates and trusts
Estate real estate sales
Financial Power of Attorney
Guardianships
Health Care Power of Attorney
Intestacy
Life estates
Living trusts or Intervivos trusts
Living wills
Nursing home abuse
Nursing home negligence
Power of Attorney
Probate of wills
Representation of executors and trustees
Representation of out-of-state beneficiaries
Social Security Disability
Spousal inheritance disputes
Wills
Will Contests

PORTLAND MAINE AREA PERSONAL INJURY and ACCIDENTS

Auto accident and injuries
Automobile accident
Bicycle or bike accident
Car accident
Construction accident
Dog bite injury
Drunk driving accident
Farming accident
Highway accident
Industrial accident
Workplace accident
Boat accident
Motorcycle accident
Snowmobile accident
Motor vehicle defect
Pedestrian accident
Products liability
Defective products
Truck accident
Slip and fall
Toxic mold exposure
Wrongful death

PORTLAND MAINE RESIDENTIAL and COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Adjustable rate mortgage guidance
Adverse possession
Boundary disputes
Breach of warranty under title insurance
Condemnation help
Condominiums
Construction contracts
Covenants
Deeds
Easements
Foreclosure
Foreclosure Short Sales
Foreclosure Assistance
Homeowners Associations
Housing Discrimination
Lease
Lease with Option to Buy
Liens
Mortgage Fraud
Mortgage Law
Maine Real Estate Leases
Maine Real Estate Advice
Maine Real Estate Litigation
Options to purchase
Predatory lending
Probate
Promissory notes
Property law
Quiet title
Quit Claim Deeds
Real estate agent malpractice
Refinancing
Residential closings
Commercial closings
Rights of way
Stop foreclosure
Subdivisions
Title insurance
Violations of the Fair Housing Act
Zoning

MAINE LGBT LAW

Co-parenting Agreements
De Facto Parents
Same-sex Adoption
Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation
Discrimination based on Gender Identity
Transgender Issues

James Clifford focuses his practice on employment law, commercial litigation, disability rights, and special education law and advocacy. He is admitted to the Maine and Massachusetts Bars, the U.S. District Courts in Maine and Massachusetts, and First Circuit Court of Appeals.

Jim began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in Massachusetts, then became a commercial litigation associate at large law firms in Portland and Boston. Thereafter, he served as general counsel to several start ups and small businesses. He returned to private practice in 2007.

Jim grew up in Lewiston and comes from a long line of lawyers and public servants. He obtained a B.A. in History and Government from Colby College and graduated cum laude from Suffolk University Law School, where he was awarded the Drinan Fellowship in Criminal Law.

Jim has had a lifelong interest and commitment to advocating for people with disabilities. Prior to earning his law degree, Jim taught school and worked with young adults with developmental disabilities. A significant part of his law practice focuses on representing injured or disabled individuals. On a more personal level, he is also a parent of a child receiving special education services. Jim serves on the board of Disability Rights Center, Maine's protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities; Southern Maine Parent Awareness, a statewide parent advocacy group; and StriveU, which provides services for young adults with developmental disabilities as they transition from high school.

Jim is a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), Maine State Bar Association, Maine Employment Lawyers Association, and Maine Trial Lawyers Association. Jim also sits on the Town of Cumberlandâs Housing Authority and Personnel Appeals Board. He is an avid Red Sox fan, and enjoys golf and skiing. He and his family live in Cumberland.