Courtesy / Preti Flaherty
Kristy Abraham
Updated: January 4, 2023
Law firm roundup: Personnel moves from around the region
We're early in 2023, but Maine law firms have been active when it comes to personnel moves, ranging from adding new partners to a new managing partner.
Preti Flaherty
Preti Flaherty announced that attorneys Kristy Abraham and Mariana Baron had been promoted to partners.
Abraham joined Preti Flaherty's business law group in 2007. She is a member and former chair of the firm's corporate and mergers and acquisitions practice group in the Portland office. Abraham also co-chairs the firm's diversity committee. She represents a diverse group of clients, from small, locally-owned businesses to national and international corporate clients of all sizes.
Abraham graduated from Bentley University, where she received a master of science in taxation, the University of Maine School of Law, where she received a Juris Doctor degree, and a bachelor of arts in government from Western New England University. Outside the firm, she has served on the board and as president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine.
“Preti Flaherty is very proud to add these two outstanding business lawyers to the ranks of the partnership," said David Van Slyke, managing partner. "Kristy and Mariana have each developed a very loyal client base, their skill sets are in high demand, and I fully expect each to become future leaders of the Firm.”
Preti Flaherty
Mariana Baron
Baron joined Preti Flaherty in 2014. She is a member of the firm's corporate, mergers and acquisitions, and immigration practice groups in the Portland office. She advises clients on complex domestic and international law issues, from startups and entrepreneurs to multinational companies.
She graduated from Boston College Law School with a master's of business and commercial law, the Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, where she received a master's degree in tax and taxation, and the Universidad Austral Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has been recognized by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court Justice Action Group as a Katahdin counsel honoree for pro bono service.
According to a press release, both attorneys stood out as distinguished practitioners in corporate law, and their noteworthy contributions have significantly strengthened the firm's regional, national and international service footprint.
Preti Flaherty has offices in Portland and Augusta; Concord, N.H.; Boston; and Washington, D.C. The firm was ranked No. 4 on the recently published 2023 Mainebiz Book of Lists and employs 142 people in Maine.
Pierce Atwood
Pierce Atwood new partners.
Pierce Atwood
Seven attorneys at Pierce Atwood LLP have been named partners at its offices in Portland, Portsmouth, N.H. and Boston.
Christina Berkow, who is based in Portland, advises clients on corporate and transactional matters, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, equity investments and private offerings. Berkow’s practice includes drafting and negotiating commercial contracts. She received her J.D. from the New York University School of Law.
Olga J. Goldberg is based at the Portland branch and advises clients in complex state and local tax matters, representing clients on tax controversies from the administrative level through litigation and appeal or settlement. She also counsels businesses of all sizes on multistate transaction planning and tax compliance and works with clients on all types of state and local taxes. Goldberg received her J.D. with honors from the University of Texas School of Law and a Master of Laws in taxation from NYU School of Law.
Kyle Noonan, based in Portland, is a trial lawyer representing clients from national companies to family-owned businesses — in complex commercial litigation and regulatory investigations in state and federal courts in Maine, Massachusetts and other jurisdictions. Noonan is a graduate of George Washington University Law School.
Christopher Baxter, based in Portsmouth, N.H., is a registered patent attorney who advises clients on many patent issues. Baxter graduated from the University of New Hampshire School of Law, where he was editor of the UNH Law Review.
Peter Gelzinis, based in Boston, has extensive experience advising and counseling clients on all aspects of commercial real estate transactions. He regularly negotiates purchase agreements and loan documents, performs due diligence, and manages the transaction through closing. Gelzinis received his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School.
Karishma Jiva Cartwright, based in Boston, focuses her practice on drafting and prosecuting software-based patent applications, including machine-learning algorithms and Artificial Intelligence systems, for large and small corporations, startups and universities. Cartwright graduated from the University of New Hampshire School of Law and received a J.D. and a Master of Laws in intellectual property. She is the former vice president of the South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston.
Beth Roberto, based in Boston, represents lending institutions in structuring and documenting commercial real estate loan financings in the multifamily residential, retail, hospitality, commercial and industrial sectors. Roberto has experience in commercial real estate finance, development, land use, condominiums, leasing, and acquisitions and dispositions. She received her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School.
Pierce Atwood LLP is ranked No. 3 on the recently published 2023 Mainebiz Book of Lists and employs around 135 people in Maine.
Murray Plumb & Murray
With the New Year, Murray Plumb & Murray welcomed in a new managing director, Michael Traister.
Murray Plumb & Murray
Michael Traister
Traister takes over the firm's top spot from Drew Anderson, who will return to practice at the firm.
"Michael will make an excellent leader for the firm's next chapter," said Anderson. "He has both a deep understanding of the firm's history and a clear vision for the future. He's an excellent choice to fill this role, and I look forward to seeing the firm's continued success and growth under his leadership."
Traister has extensive experience in the area of land use and zoning. He is a partner at the firm, which he joined in 1995. He is chair of the construction group and co-chair of the litigation and trial practice group. His practice focuses on business, construction, real estate and probate matters.
Murray Plumb & Murray
Lauren Weliver
The firm also hired Lauren Weliver as an estate planning attorney.
Weliver has worked with various clients around the state and has supported young parents, small business owners, retirees, and everyone in between.
"Meaningful estate planning involves understanding people and relationships, in addition to technical know-how," said Weliver.
Weliver has clerked for Maine Supreme Judicial Court, worked as an administrator for the Maine Judicial Branch, and practiced law at two Portland law firms. She operated Weliver Law before joining Murray Plumb & Murray.
Maine law firm Murray Plumb & Murray has been helping individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses successfully navigate legal issues since 1973. The firm is ranked No. 13 for the largest law firms on the recently published 2023 Mainebiz Book of Lists ranked by Maine-based attorneys and has 20 attorneys in Maine.
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