Whether online, in print, or on TV, we’re proud our important work is routinely featured in the region’s top news forums and shared nationally. This recap of media coverage during the first quarter of 2024 spotlights the many ways in which we’re helping our clients find justice and recover fair compensation after experiencing a...
Berman & Simmons News Articles
Berman & Simmons attorneys Michael Bigos and Timothy Kenlan who specialize in sexual abuse cases are taking legal action against Special Olympics, Inc. and Special Olympics Maine on behalf of an Augusta man who endured extensive abuse during his childhood in the 1960s and 1970s. The survivor, subjected to repeated abuse by Melvin “Mickey” Boutilier...
“The diocese is the only institutional defendant unilaterally not settling most of its cases. Justice is being done every week by institutional defendants and individual perpetrators taking responsibility.” – Michael Bigos Transcript of Press Herald article by Emily Allen: The man had alleged he was abused in 1948, when he was an eighth-grader in Rumford,...
Berman & Simmons attorney, Elizabeth Kayatta, has been elected co-chair of the Women’s Law section of the Maine Bar Association. The Women’s Law section provides a forum for women lawyers to gather for regular educational programs, networking and discussion of issues of interest to women attorneys. Elizabeth’s practice includes personal injury lawsuits resulting from medical...
Berman & Simmons attorney Travis Brennan accompanied survivors of the mass shooting in Lewiston to testify before an independent state commission investigating how the tragedy happened. Survivors bravely and emotionally recounted the traumatic events from that night. They expressed anger and dismay that despite multiple warning signs that the shooter was experiencing a mental health...
Whether online, in print, or on TV, we’re proud our important work is routinely featured in the region’s top news forums and shared nationally. This recap of media coverage during the fourth quarter of 2023 spotlights the many ways in which we’re helping our clients find justice and recover fair compensation after experiencing a...
NOTE: This content is disturbing and may be challenging for some. Approaching the one-year anniversary of the death of Emma Korzeb, her parents Corrina and Ray filed a lawsuit against Bibber Memorial Chapel, citing the mortuary’s negligence in handling their infant daughter. Following the unexpected death of Emma, the Korzebs engaged Bibber Memorial Chapel in...
Berman & Simmons Attorney Susan Faunce was tapped for her legal expertise to serve among the faculty for the Maine State Bar Association’s Maine Law, Business & Society Summit, an educational event convening for the legal community. The event is being held Jan. 24 – 26 at the Westin Harborview Hotel in Portland. With a...
Berman & Simmons has named trial attorney Elizabeth Kayatta as its newest shareholder and announced Kristin Murray-James and Charles King have joined the firm. Elizabeth focuses on medical malpractice, sexual abuse, wrongful death, and personal injury cases, representing clients who have suffered catastrophic and life-altering injuries. She joined the firm in 2017 and has earned...
The $25 million unanimous jury award to a motorcyclist grievously injured in a crash with a tractor-trailer truck earned Berman & Simmons attorney Charles “Chuck” Hehmeyer inclusion in The Legal Intelligencer’s annual “2022 Northeast Top Verdicts & Settlements.” The verdict in “Sweigart v. Voyager Trucking Corp” earned the 19th spot on the prestigious list....
A contingent of six people directly affected by October’s mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine will visit with members of the Maine Congressional delegation. They have many unanswered questions about the events that led to the tragedy and are in Washington seeking information, answers, and accountability to help their healing and with hopes that more shootings...
Berman & Simmons attorney Travis Brennan joined Maine Calling, Maine Public live call-in radio program on November 29 for its “Oct. 25th Aftermath” segment to share updates about how the community is healing and coping one month after the shootings in Lewiston. Berman & Simmons is currently part of a coalition of four prominent law firms assembled...
In response to the devastating October mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, many survivors and their families have hired legal representation to seek answers and accountability in the tragedy that resulted in the fatal shooting of 18 people and injury to 13 others. The Lewiston families have hired four prominent law firms dedicated to representing victims...
We are proud to announce that nine of its attorneys have been named to the prestigious National Trial Lawyers Top 100 list. This recognition is a testament to the firm’s dedication to providing exceptional legal representation and achieving outstanding results for its clients. The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 is an invitation-only organization composed of...
Berman & Simmons attorney Michael Bigos appeared before Maine’s Supreme Court, delivering oral arguments supporting the constitutionality of a law that removed the statute of limitations for adults who survived childhood sexual abuse so that they may come forward and sue their abusers and their enablers. The Bangor courtroom was full, with many survivors present....
The mass shooting events that occurred at Just In Time Recreation and Schemengees Bar & Grill Restaurant in Lewiston, ME on October 25 claimed 18 lives and injured 13 others. Not only has this tragedy left our community grieving and enraged, but it has also catapulted our state into the national limelight. Sadly, Berman &...
Whether online, in print, or on TV, we’re proud our important work is routinely featured in the region’s top news forums and shared nationally. This recap of media coverage during the third quarter of 2023 spotlights the many ways in which we’re helping our clients find justice and recover fair compensation after experiencing a...
Eleven Berman & Simmons attorneys have been selected to the 2023 New England Super Lawyers list, including two joining its 2023 New England Rising Stars list. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor, and the Rising...
Michael Strecker was just 17 years old when he died on September 12, 2021, during a school-sponsored senior class hiking trip on South Baldface Mountain in New Hampshire. Berman & Simmons attorney Michael Bigos is leading the legal team bringing suit against Lake Region School District (MSAD #61), Superintendent Alan Smith, and humanities teacher Jessica...
With the filing of six new lawsuits, Berman & Simmons has now 30 civil cases pending against the Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland on behalf of survivors of childhood sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in Maine. The assaults that form the basis for the complaints occurred in a variety of venues, including at churches and...