On April 11, 2018, Jennifer Archer presented an immigration law overview to the Maine Rural Health Collaborative, a group of six northern Maine hospitals that work together with the goal of preserving and enhancing healthcare within the communities they serve.

On March 1, 2018, following a 3-week jury trial, Tim Norton and Jennifer Archer obtained a $5.9 million jury verdict for their clients, Tucker Cianchette and CBF Associates, LLC.

After fraudulently misrepresenting their intention to sell Casco Bay Ford to Tucker Cianchette, Eric Cianchette and Peggy Cianchette breached the purchase and sale agreement to sell their interests in the dealership and Cianchette Family LLC breached the purchase and sale agreement to sell the underlying real estate to CBF Associates, LLC. Peggy Cianchette also breached her fiduciary duty to Tucker Cianchette by unilaterally increasing the rent paid by the dealership by $42,000/month over a 4-year period, to Cianchette Family, LLC, a family-owned limited liability company that ultimately benefits her husband Eric Cianchette and their four children. Finally, Peggy Cianchette and Eric Cianchette breached the PET, LLC operating agreement in a number of ways, including by unilaterally increasing the base rent and making a $375,000 interest-free “loan” to Cianchette Family, LLC, which loan is still outstanding and is not subject to any terms, including repayment terms.

The jury awarded $3,100,000 for breach of contract and fraud, $750,000 for breach of the real estate contract, $550,000 for breach of fiduciary duty, and $1,500,000 in punitive damages.

The Maine Harbormasters Association held its 33rd Annual Training and Meeting at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine. KRZ Attorneys Terry Duddy and Stephen Koerting presented on advanced maritime law and tort claim topics to the advanced class of harbormasters, deputy harbormasters and assistant harbormasters from all across the state. Attorney Duddy and Attorney Koerting instructed the experienced harbormasters on topics such as the Maine Harbormasters statute, harbormasters’ duties, responsibilities and procedures, liability issues, port authorities, and federal maritime law.

The annual training is required by state law for Maine’s harbormasters. KRZ is proud to send its maritime attorneys as a resource to help train these critical town officers who help keep Maine’s inland and territorial waters safe and functional.

Jennifer Archer was elected to the Cumberland Bar Association’s General Committee by Association’s membership at its annual meeting on February 1, 2018. The Association is one of the oldest bar associations in the United States. It sponsors many social and educational functions, including continuing legal education seminars, receptions for judges and new attorneys, and an Annual Meeting. The Association also periodically provides grants for other law-related events.

Jennifer Archer has been named a member of the Special Committee on the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. The Committee considers future development of the UBE and is charged with monitoring developing issues associated with the UBE and offering suggestions for resolving policy questions of general application, among other things.

Terrance Duddy has been included in the 24th edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in the area of Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs. Terry has been included for at least 11 years and has been selected as one of the best in his specialty.

KRZ seeks a litigation attorney to join its Portland, Maine-based law firm. The ideal candidate should have at least 6 years’ experience in general civil and commercial litigation matters. Candidate must have excellent legal research and writing skills, an ability to work in a team setting, and possess strong advocacy skills. Send cover letter, résume, and writing sample to mhansen@krz.com.

This month, Governor LePage announced that he was nominating Attorney Michael Duddy of Kelly, Remmel & Zimmerman to serve as a judge on the Maine District Court. Michael has practiced law at Kelly Remmel & Zimmerman since 1999, distinguishing himself as an impressive litigator and legal advisor inside and outside of the courtroom. While at Kelly, Remmel & Zimmerman, Michael has primarily focused on health care, employment, immigration and professional liability law.

Michael’s experiences as a trial attorney, an appellate advocate and a former law clerk make him well-suited for the position. Michael is also a graduate of the Health Leadership Development (HLD II) program of the Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership and the Institute for Civic Leadership, as well as a former officer in the United States Navy and a Licensed Professional Forester.

This judicial appointment is a tremendous honor for Michael and Kelly, Remmel & Zimmerman, and the firm is excited about Michael’s opportunity to serve the public in this new capacity. If confirmed, Michael will likely join the bench this spring.

To read about the appointment in the Portland Press Herald, please click here: http://www.pressherald.com/2017/01/10/lepage-names-cape-elizabeth-man-to-district-court-bench/
To read about the appointment in the Bangor Daily News, please click here: http://bangordailynews.com/2017/01/10/politics/lepage-nominates-portland-lawyer-to-district-court-bench/

Attorney Lauri Boxer-Macomber recently brought another motor vehicle v. pedestrian case to a successful conclusion by obtaining the full insurance liability policy limits for a client who was hit and run over by an inattentive driver in a local shopping plaza. Lauri is committed not only to ensuring that her individual clients receive the compensation that they deserve in these types of cases, but to making Maine a safer place for bicycling and walking.

In June of 2016, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court created the Advisory Commission on the Uniform Bar Examination and named Jennifer Archer as the Chair of the Commission. After six months of study and consideration, the Advisory Commission recommended that the Court adopt the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) effective July 2017. The Commission concluded that the “UBE may provide a more reliable and valid assessment of an individual’s competence to practice law” and that “its adoption would benefit the entire State of Maine by recognizing and capitalizing on the realities of a mobile society.”

The Commission’s full report may be viewed at: UBE Advisory Commission Report