Experience
Jim Erwin has extensive state and federal litigation experience in a wide range of substantive areas at the trial, appellate, and administrative levels. In the employment area he has successfully defended sexual harassment, age, disability, retaliation, defamation, and discharge cases, prosecuted and defended trade secret, non-competition and other restrictive covenant cases, and obtained contempt findings and a fine against a union for strike violence.
A former member of the Maine Human Rights Commission, Jim counsels employers on employment and labor issues, appears before the Maine Legislature on legislation affecting employment issues, conducts training sessions on sexual harassment and other workplace issues, and investigates harassment claims for employers.
Jim joined Pierce Atwood in 1987. Before that he served for five years as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maine. In that capacity he prosecuted homicides statewide and advised multiple state agencies on law enforcement matters.
Education
Jim graduated with honors from Phillips Exeter Academy (1971). He received his A.B. from Dartmouth College ( Cum Laude , with High Distinction in English, 1975) and his J.D. from Boston University School of Law (1978). He also completed the National District Attorneys Association Career Prosecutor Course at the University of Houston (1982).
Professional Activities
Jim is a member of the board of directors of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Alliance for Maine's Future and a former director of the American Counsel Association. He is also a member of the United States Chamber of Commerce Labor Relations Policy Committee.
Publications
Jim is an editor and chapter author of has authored chapters for the ABA Section of Litigation's, "Model Jury Instructions: Employment Litigation, Second Edition" and a chapter author for the "Employment Litigation Handbook." He has authored numerous articles and op ed pieces for Maine newspapers and business journals.
Honors and Distinctions
Jim is a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. He is also recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, 2010 edition, and Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers for labor and employment law.
Bar Admissions
Jim is admitted to practice in the State of Maine, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, and the First Circuit.