Firm Wire items are announcements made by the firms themselves. The desk confirms that the announcement was published and reproduces its factual content. It does not verify the claims in it, and publication is not an endorsement.
Bernstein Shur said Hilary Holmes Rheaume and Anne-Marie Storey would present a session on difficult workplace conversations at the 2026 Strategic HR at Mt. Washington conference. The firm said the scenario-based program would address how HR leaders balance employee trust, legal obligations, ethics and business needs.
Bernstein Shur said it appointed Maura Kelly as its first dedicated Director of Pro Bono, based in Portland. The firm said she will develop its pro bono program with practice groups, its Pro Bono Committee and community partners, connecting service opportunities with attorney development.
Bernstein Shur said Tana Tufts, Matt Kaplan and Kristen Renda joined its Portland, Maine, office as associates. The firm said Tufts joined its Real Estate Practice Group, Kaplan joined Litigation and Renda joined Business, working on commercial property transactions, civil disputes and corporate matters respectively.
Bernstein Shur said attorneys Jason Cole and Mike Murray and managing director Taylor Caswell will attend the New Hampshire Hospital Association and Foundation for Healthy Communities annual meeting. The firm said the October 18–20 event will take place at the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire.
Bernstein Shur said attorneys Adam Prescott and Abby Barkwell will attend ABS East in Miami from October 18 through October 21. The firm said the structured finance conference brings together more than 6,500 professionals, including issuers and investors, to discuss the asset-backed securities market.
Bernstein Shur said it published an election-season guide discussing nonpartisan civic engagement by Maine nonprofits. The firm said tax-exempt organizations can participate in certain voter education and outreach activities when structured appropriately, and its guide addresses planning those activities alongside federal and state compliance obligations.
Bernstein Shur said it published an article by Michael R. Bosse examining business costs that can accompany unresolved construction disputes. The firm’s article discussed how parties evaluate litigation and mediation beyond legal fees, with attention to the demands of keeping projects and businesses operating during a dispute.
Bernstein Shur said it published David Pierson’s article examining commercial general liability coverage for work needed to reach construction-defect damage. The firm’s publication discussed the distinction between repairing defective work and repairing damage to other property, with a focus on Maine insurance questions.
Bernstein Shur said Ann Freeman, Matt Tarasevich and Paige Eggleston will present a payroll procedures workshop for the Maine Municipal Tax Collectors’ and Treasurers’ Association on September 30. The firm said the full-day program will address payroll and wage-and-hour questions faced by public sector employers.
Bernstein Shur said it published an immigration update by Michael Murray and Olivia Shaw on three developments: a September 14 district court order in Presidents’ Alliance v. DHS halting the proposed end of duration-of-status admission for F and J visa holders; the $100,000 H-1B entry fee announced September 18, not in effect after a circuit court denied a stay in State of California v. Mullin; and a DHS proposal to end the 60-day grace period for nonimmigrant workers.
Bernstein Shur said it published a guide by Michael Murray and Olivia Shaw urging physicians not to wait to start J-1 waiver applications, with attention to Maine’s Conrad 30 program, whose filing season opens October 1. The firm said applicants need a job offer and signed contract, all prior DS-2019 forms, evidence of a pending medical license, notarised documents and J-2 dependent information before filing, after which the state program, the Department of State and USCIS review in sequence.