Family Law

• Divorce
• Child Support
  We can assist you at the earliest stages of a divorce or other family law issue, even if you are simply trying to educate yourself on what you can expect through the process. Once a divorce is filed, we can help you with preliminary issues that might include getting physical separation from your spouse, child support, spousal support and even attorney’s fees. We offer creative mediation strategies and, if necessary, experienced representation at trial.
• Guardianship
  Our attorneys provide the guidance needed to assist you or an older loved one with the   wide range of legal matters affecting seniors and disabled individuals. This includes issues related to health care, long-term planning, guardianship, retirement, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, and other important matters. As a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Bergen & Parkinson is dedicated to improving the quality of legal services provided to people as they age and people with special needs.
• Spousal Support

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  Tom began his legal career as a prosecutor in the Strafford County Attorney’s Office domestic violence unit before moving to felony prosecution. He continued his prosecution career at the Carroll County Attorney’s Office in New Hampshire where he prosecuted all levels of criminal matters, conducting multiple bench and jury trials. Before moving to Maine, Tom also worked briefly at a private practice handling family matters, civil litigation, and criminal defense. In 2012, Tom moved to Maine and continued his career at the York County District Attorney’s Office in Alfred. He handled all stages of domestic violence crimes and conducted many hearings/jury trials during his six years at the DA’s office. Tom re-entered civil practice in 2019, handling foreclosure litigation at Bendett & McHugh before joining Bergen Parkinson in December 2019.

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
• Business Formation
  The key to any successful business start-up is a well-thought out business plan. The corporate attorneys at Bergen & Parkinson, LLC are well versed in business law and the complex tax nuances that result when forming a business. We routinely assist clients with all facets of their business formation including...
• Business Disputes
  Gregory Braun has been licensed and actively practicing law in the State of Maine since 2010. Residing in the greater Portland area, Gregory is an associate attorney at Bergen Parkinson providing services in the areas of business law, real estate transaction and disputes, civil litigation, and estate planning and administration.
• Business Transactions
  Joan Hunnewell is a litigation paralegal with over 20 years experience in the areas of real estate, corporate, residential and commercial transactions, as well as bankruptcies, foreclosures and collections. Prior to re-joining the firm in 2009, Joan was the Agency Representative for a title insurance company in Portland.
• Limited Liability Companies
  Formation of the business entity including corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, limited liability companies, and individual self-employed companies.

Employment Law

• Wrongful Termination
• Employment Discrimination
• Employment Contract
  In addition, Bergen & Parkinson, LLC attorneys work with businesses and start-ups to preemptively ensure they have the right policies and procedures in place, including employee handbooks, employment contracts, and restrictive covenants. We assist businesses at all stages of the employer/employee relationship including matters relating to non-compete agreements, severance, and termination.
• Employment Litigation
  The team regularly handles jury trials, bench trials, mediations, arbitrations and other regulatory and administrative proceedings.
• Non-compete Agreement
• Severance Agreement
• Sexual Harassment

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  A founding member of the firm, Michael Macleod-Ball returned to Bergen & Parkinson in 2017 after more than a decade with a major national advocacy organization, where he managed a comprehensive federal civil rights and liberties advocacy program.  Since his return, Michael continues to provide strategic management and policy guidance to not-for-profit advocacy organizations.  He has also returned to his legal roots – serving as a trusted advisor to businesses and individuals on a wide range of commercial, corporate, and real estate matters.
• Construction Litigation
  As a member of the civil litigation practice group at Bergen Parkinson since 2019, Tom represents individuals, partnerships, corporations, and other entities in a wide variety of disputes. His practice primarily focuses on construction litigation, landlord/tenant law, and property disputes.
• Real Estate Transactions
  The attorneys at Bergen & Parkinson, LLC have extensive experience in commercial real estate transactions. This not only includes the transaction, but substantial knowledge of the community, local zoning laws and other important related issues involved in commercial real estate. We have represented individuals, business owners, commercial landlords, commercial tenants, property owners and lenders in a wide variety of commercial matters. Our services include...
• Land Use and Zoning
  We have decades of experience advocating for and in front of officials at all levels of government. Bergen & Parkinson has represented municipalities and advocated before municipal boards throughout the State of Maine. We have broad and deep background in all aspects of land use planning and development. And we have advocated before the state and federal government on behalf of individuals, businesses, and non-profit advocacy organizations.
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes
  During his career he has assisted hundreds of clients with the creation of all forms of estate planning and advanced directive documents while also administering numerous probate estates. Gregory has significant experience with the creation and transfer of business entities and interests, as well as experience developing not-for-profit entities and securing 501(c)3 designation. Gregory also has extensive knowledge in the field of mortgage and foreclosure law, landlord-tenant law, and real estate transaction.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  We offer experienced, aggressive representation for people who have been injured in all types of accidents, including car, truck and motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, construction accidents and injuries arising from unsafe premises. We also represent plaintiffs who been injured by defective products, as well as medical and dental malpractice claims. We have a proven track record of obtaining large settlements for seriously injured clients as well as providing guidance and assistance to help you recover financially. Most of our personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover money for you. Consultations for personal injury claims are free with no obligation.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  The Estate Planning & Probate attorneys at Bergen & Parkinson, LLC provide sound and creative advice to individuals and families in structuring estate plans to meet their needs. We guide our clients through the maze of the estate tax rules to develop estate plans that meet both their tax and non-tax goals.
• Wills
  Wills and trusts are two of the most important planning devices to create a complete estate plan. A will includes specific directions on how you wish your estate to be distributed after your death, including provisions for any tangible personal property that     you may own. In addition, you use your will to name a personal representative to administer your estate, name guardians for your children and property, create trusts for your children or other young beneficiaries, forgive debts and more. A trust on the other hand, is a legal arrangement through which one person called a “trustee” holds legal title to property for another person, called a “beneficiary”. Unlike a will, property put into a trust can avoid the costs of probate and save time and money.
• Trusts
  Bergen & Parkinson, LLC is a valuable resource for families that have a member with special needs. In many instances, special needs trusts can be established to ensure the    person with disabilities is taken care of now and in the future. The trusts are created with the specific needs, lifestyle, and future of the beneficiary in mind.
• Power of Attorney
• Probate
  Sarah joined Bergen Parkinson, LLC in July 2011 with the opening of its Saco office, where she practices in the areas of elder law, estate planning, estate administration and probate law. Sarah’s estate planning work involves counseling individuals and couples about protecting their life and their legacy through proper estate planning. She advises elders and their family on asset protection strategies and qualifying and applying for MaineCare Benefits. She works with veterans helping them to maximize their VA benefits. Sarah also provides planning opportunities to parents of children with special needs.

Finance Law

• Foreclosure
  With attorneys licensed in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, we represent a     diverse range of banking and insurance company clients, including major out-of-state commercial lenders, some of the largest Maine-based banks, and a host of smaller banks. Our breadth and depth of experience in bank representation is greater than at any other firm in York County, Maine. We have been involved in commercial lending transactions involving millions of dollars and major commercial workout and foreclosure actions, not to mention scores of residential transactions closed in any given month.
• Tax Law
  The attorneys at Bergen & Parkinson, LLC are experienced in assisting you with gift planning and understanding the complexity of state and federal gift tax law. Spreading gifts throughout your lifetime is a great strategy to help reduce estate taxes. In 2017, you can make an unlimited number of $14,000 gifts annually of cash ($28,000 for couples) or other property, to an individual completely tax-free. However, there is a lifetime estate tax exclusion of $5.49 million, meaning that estates valued higher than that amount must pay an estate tax. A well planned estate that includes periodic gifting can reduce this tax liability for high wealth clients.