Berman & Simmons Trial Attorneys

Our Attorneys

• 

  Daniel Kagan

  Attorney

  Attorney Daniel Kagan is one of Maine’s leading trial lawyers, with a record of jury verdicts and settlements in complex and difficult personal injury cases. A life-long Mainer, Dan connects well with clients and jurors from every walk of life. He thrives under pressure and, since joining Berman & Simmons in 1989, has often taken on controversial cases that play out in the public spotlight. Dan practices law consistently at the highest intellectual level, with no loss of his Maine roots―he is a proud native of Bangor. Dan’s grandfather and father founded and operated Penobscot Shoe Company, which provided employment to generations of Penobscot, Somerset, and Piscataquis county families. Dan’s upbringing taught him the value of hard work, civic engagement, and the importance of making personal connections and developing authentic relationships with people. Dan is one of several lawyers in the firm who have achieved jury trial verdicts in excess of $1 million. His statewide practice emphasizes serious and complex wrongful death, products liability and personal injury matters. With a particular interest in mechanical and design failures, Dan has won verdicts and settlements for victims killed or injured by all types of defectively designed machines, including vehicles such as ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, cars, and trucks. Dan has represented a widow from northern Maine whose husband was killed in a Fourth of July parade; the family of a special education teacher from Berwick who was killed by a teenage driver; the family of a 17-year-old from Oakland, who died at a haunted hayride attraction; the family of a man who died of exposure when his wheelchair became stuck in snow on a wintery day; and a woman hurt when her newly-installed wheelchair lift collapsed beneath her. “I always felt that I had a good understanding of people, and found I was drawn to helping people solve their problems,” Dan says. “That naturally translated into a career in law. I love figuring out solutions to problems, and I’m happiest when I can win and give my clients the closure they need.” Dan is a national leader as Governor of the American Association for Justice, which has recognized him with its Distinguished Service Award. He is also a Governor and past-president of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association. He is a leader in legal education as well, as a contributing author for the guide to Superior Court practice in Maine on the topic of trial advocacy. Dan speaks frequently on tort law and trial advocacy at legal education seminars and has authored legal articles and commentary on a wide range of subjects, including maximizing recovery on complex cases, presentation of expert witnesses, and client communication.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Daniel Kagan

• 

  Craig Bramley

  Attorney

  Attorney Craig Bramley represents plaintiffs in medical malpractice and personal injury cases. Since joining the firm in 1996, Craig has partnered with other Berman & Simmons attorneys to compile an impressive record of settlements and jury verdicts for his clients, often defeating large corporations and other powerful defendants. The constant quest for innovation and improvement defines Craig’s career at Berman & Simmons. Whether he is researching a legal theory, or testing computer software for use at trial, Craig is always thinking of new ways to achieve the best results for clients. This quality serves him well in his practice and also as the firm’s Managing Director. Craig took on the role in 2014, and since then has overseen business strategy, hiring, and other key aspects of the firm’s operations. Since 2000, Craig has often teamed with attorney Julian Sweet. Together they have won two of the largest medical negligence awards in the history of Maine courts―a $9 million verdict in 2001, and an $8 million verdict in 2007. Craig utilizes his strong skills in medical and legal research, writing, and persuasion to develop and present cases from beginning to end, including cases turned down by other firms. Craig is at the forefront of the use of advanced computer technology, and has helped Berman & Simmons become the statewide leader in this area. Through the use of trial presentation software, digital imaging, and video, the firm presents complex evidence clearly and convincingly, helping juries to fully understand catastrophic injuries and their causes. “One thing that really sets Berman & Simmons apart is our culture of collaboration. Lawyers and staff members here share knowledge, experience, and ideas,” Craig says. “It is a team approach and everyone benefits when a lawyer achieves a great result. People aren’t concerned with being the top performer even though many of our lawyers clearly have the talent to make that assertion. This teamwork model offers huge benefits to our clients.” Craig has written and presented extensively on the topics of medical malpractice and trial practice, including the pre-litigation screening panel process.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Craig Bramley

• 

  Jodi L. Nofsinger

  Attorney

  Attorney Jodi Nofsinger represents people who have been harmed by medical malpractice and those who have suffered serious personal injury. With an educational background in medicine and biology, Jodi is the rare attorney who understands both the law and science of the cases she handles. Since joining Berman & Simmons in 1997, Jodi has earned a reputation as a tenacious and effective advocate for her clients. She is a natural competitor who thrives when representing the underdog and holding the powerful accountable. She is also a trailblazer among Maine’s trial lawyers. In 2014, Jodi became only the 22nd trial lawyer in Maine—and only the third woman—inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Fellowship is extended to trial lawyers who are master advocates for their clients, and whose careers are distinguished by the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. Jodi learned about the justice system from her mother, a clerk at a federal courthouse in Rockford, IL. Jodi recalls her mother’s compassion for people with disabilities who had come to court seeking benefits that were denied by the government. At an early age, Jodi understood that a lawyer can make all the difference for people who have been wronged. “People put themselves in your hands, often after the worst thing that has ever happened to them, and your job is to get them to the end of their case safely, and with the best result possible,” Jodi says. “As a lawyer, you have the privilege and power to make positive change in people’s lives. That is the kind of responsibility that makes you want to do better.” Jodi obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree as a pre-med undergraduate. Beginning in high school and continuing until she entered the University of Maine School of Law, she worked in the field of biology, where she conducted research in the areas of heart disease, cellular biology, and genetics. Besides her outstanding record of success in medical malpractice and catastrophic personal injury cases, Jodi is also well known for her work on civil rights cases, such as the groundbreaking lawsuit brought on behalf of transgender high school student Nicole Maines of Orono, ME. Jodi serves on the board of directors for the ACLU of Maine and the Maine Trial Lawyers Association.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Jodi L. Nofsinger

• 

  Michael Bigos

  Attorney

  Mike often specializes in high-profile, high-stakes litigation, including industrial and worksite accidents, burn injuries, brain injury, wrongful death, products liability and auto crashworthiness cases. Current cases include, a burn case from an exploding cooking spray can, IVC Filter and unsafe medical device cases, and a Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) injury. He recently obtained a large trial verdict in a brain injury case arising from a drunk driver vehicle crash. Sexual abuse and assault claims have dramatically increased in Mike’s practice and he has obtained large victories in several cases against prominent institutional defendants. He is currently litigating cases against the Boy Scouts of America, the Catholic Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses, licensed counselors, summer camps, and several individuals. Mike earns outstanding results through hard work, thorough planning, careful expert preparation, and cutting-edge trial skills, including the use of focus groups in select cases. With a background in high-level politics, Mike is a natural strategist who thrives under pressure. He travels across the country to participate in trial workshops, educate legal professionals, and network with trial attorneys. “The stakes for my clients are high,” Mike says. “Often it’s hard for them to imagine getting back to normal. To be able to help someone at the time of their greatest need is extremely gratifying.” An Eagle Scout and former legislative Chief of Staff, Mike has always been a leader. He is a Past President of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association and has served as a Board Governor and Delegate to the American Association for Justice. He is AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, and as a Super Lawyer. Mike does volunteer work to protect the rights of victims in state capitals and Washington, D.C., and he is a frequent speaker on trial advocacy, insurance coverage, and safety policies.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Michael Bigos

• 

  Susan Faunce

  Attorney

  Since joining Berman & Simmons in 2006, attorney Susan Faunce has represented clients throughout Maine who have been harmed by personal injury and medical negligence. She currently leads the firm’s mass tort practice, which involves dangerous drug and medical device litigation, and works on medical malpractice and wrongful death cases. Susan is motivated by compassion for her clients and an interest in medicine. From a young age, Susan knew she wanted to become a lawyer, in hopes of making a significant impact on people’s lives. Today she is one of Maine’s leading personal injury attorneys and has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and Benchmark Litigation. “I was raised by a single mother who spoke limited English and I lived in an underdeveloped country as a young adult,” Susan says. “These experiences have taught me to be courageous, resourceful, and persistent. I understand that every case carries both legal and emotional aspects, and I believe every client should have a strong advocate who will work tirelessly to successfully resolve their case.” Susan is a graduate of Bowdoin College where she majored in Government Studies and Asian Studies. After college, she worked as a paralegal on high-profile intellectual property cases at a major Boston law firm. She joined the Peace Corps and served in Morocco, teaching English to local high school students and French to women in the community. Susan chose to return home to Maine and earned her law degree from the University of Maine School of Law. Susan is broadly active in Maine’s legal advocacy, serving in leadership roles at the Maine State Bar Association and Maine Trial Lawyers Association. In addition, she serves on the Local Rules Advisory Committee of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Evidence, and The Maine Justice Foundation. Susan is also a member of the American Association for Justice, as well as the National Mass Tort Trial Lawyers Association. Outside of work, Susan enjoys serving on the board of the Robbie Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides funding for adaptive equipment and therapies for special needs children.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Susan Faunce

• 

  James O’Connell

  Attorney

  Attorney Jim O’Connell specializes in personal injury law. He represents Mainers who have been seriously harmed by negligent conduct, professional malpractice, defective products, and business torts. Since joining Berman & Simmons in 2007, Jim has emerged as one of the top trial lawyers in Maine. His approach to handling and resolving cases―using a balance of patience, compassion, aggression, and collaboration―delivers exceptional results. Jim has successfully negotiated hundreds of settlements and has won numerous jury trial verdicts throughout the state, including some very public catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. A former athlete, Jim is a natural competitor. He has dedicated his career to standing up to individuals and corporations that abuse power at the expense of others. Before joining Berman & Simmons, he litigated and tried complex civil and criminal matters at a major Boston law firm and as an Assistant Attorney General in the Public Corruption Division of the Criminal Bureau. While some lawyers are combative, Jim uses a different approach. He works with opposing lawyers and insurance companies to help them appreciate the significance of his clients’ injuries and the impact on their lives, paving the way to a fair settlement. If that doesn’t work, Jim and his team are ready and able to push cases to trial. Recently, Jim was named as “Lawyer of the Year” in Best Lawyers. Jim gives much credit for his success to the paralegals, legal assistants, and other support staff at Berman & Simmons. He is also grateful for the wisdom and collaboration of the other attorneys at the firm.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: James O’Connell

• 

  Alicia Curtis

  Attorney

  Attorney Alicia Curtis concentrates her work on complex motion practice, appeals, and insurance coverage disputes. She joined Berman & Simmons in 2009 and works closely with other lawyers at the firm who focus on personal injury matters. Alicia is highly respected throughout Maine for her research and legal writing skills on difficult cases. Throughout her career, Alicia has advocated for those whose voices are often not heard. After earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Boston University, she spent a number of years working to help the homeless and persons with severe mental illness. Alicia chose to pursue a legal career to become a more effective advocate. She is motivated to seek justice and fair compensation for people who have been wronged, often by insurance companies or large corporations. “At the end of the day, the cases I feel best about are those where clients win fair compensation that helps them rebuild their lives after injury, or meet real needs like housing or healthcare,” Alicia says. “It is a victory when a client sees that even ‘the little person’ can get justice, and that people have listened to them and believed in their case.” Alicia studied at Reed College, where she was recognized with a Commendation for Academic Excellence. She earned her law degree from the University of Maine School of Law, where she graduated summa cum laude and was ranked second in her class. She was also awarded the Faculty Significant Achievement Award at graduation. Numerous awards and achievements speak to Alicia’s interest in legal analysis and written advocacy. At Maine Law, she won the Hon. Daniel E. Wathen First-Year Legal Writing Prize, and was selected to be a Legal Writing Instructor, as well as an intern in the Appellate Division of the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Maine. In addition to serving as an Articles Editor on the Maine Law Review, Alicia was chosen as Head Articles Editor for a special symposium issue on the difference between French and American perspectives towards international law. She has also authored numerous articles, and is the co-author of a book chapter on dispositive motions. Alicia does pro bono representation for people seeking asylum in Maine through the non-profit Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Alicia Curtis

• 

  Miriam Johnson

  Attorney

  Attorney Miriam Johnson joined Berman & Simmons in 2011, and represents clients in medical malpractice claims. Miriam has an excellent reputation for research and legal writing skills, and a special ability to find common ground with other attorneys and clients from all walks of life. Miriam has spent more time in a courtroom than many lawyers, having served as an Assistant District Attorney for the State of Maine. She worked in Maine’s Midcoast region, representing the state in a variety of criminal matters in Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, and Waldo counties. While serving as ADA, Miriam was a member of the Juvenile Justice Task Force―a joint effort of the court system, the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet, and the University of Maine School of Law―to create juvenile justice reform. At Berman & Simmons, Miriam focuses on medical malpractice claims with other attorneys, including Travis Brennan and Craig Bramley. As one of Berman & Simmons’ research and writing attorneys, Miriam’s work focuses on evaluating potential cases, and drafting discovery, briefs, and pleadings. She is the primary attorney at Berman & Simmons handling claims related to vaccine injuries before the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. “Being involved in a lawsuit is a very new situation for most of our clients. It is intimidating and they have a lot of questions. Part of my job is to help reduce their stress, and to make sure their concerns are addressed,” Miriam says. Miriam grew up in Portland, Maine. She studied Anthropology and English at Skidmore College and spent a semester studying in Nepal. After working in the publishing and non-profit fields for seven years, she attended the University of Maine School of Law. During law school, Miriam was selected to serve as a Legal Writing Instructor and also as an intern at the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office. Miriam served as a student attorney at the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic, representing clients in family and probate matters. She was co-president of the Maine Association for Public Interest Law and a member of the Women’s Law Association. Currently, Miriam serves on the pro bono panel for the non-profit Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, providing free representation for people seeking asylum in Maine. She has served on the editorial advisory committee of the Maine Bar Journal since 2014. In addition, Miriam is a board member of Housing Resources for Youth, a non-profit that seeks to ensure safe and stable housing for homeless and at-risk teenagers in the Midcoast Maine area.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Miriam Johnson

• 

  Timothy Kenlan

  Attorney

  Attorney Tim Kenlan represents clients with personal injury and product liability claims, and has extensive experience handling insurance coverage issues. He also works with senior attorneys at the firm on complex trial matters. Tim attended the University of Maine School of Law where he focused on litigation, legal writing, and trial advocacy. As a student attorney for the law school’s legal aid clinic, he developed his trial skills and gained significant courtroom experience by representing low-income Mainers in a wide range of legal matters. Tim conducted and won more contested hearings than any other student in the history of the school. Tim joined Berman & Simmons in 2012, and has quickly earned a reputation as one of the state’s top young lawyers, including recognition by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star.” “A lot of my clients feel powerless, defeated, and beaten down when we first meet, and many are unable to work. They don’t see a clear path back to a normal life,” Tim says. “I am an attorney who will listen to them, understand what they are saying, and believe in them. Helping my clients when others won’t, or when others have given up, is a real opportunity to make a difference in their lives.” Tim not only helps his clients see that clear path, he also puts in the hard work to make sure they get there. This high level of personal attention, motivation to deliver the best results, and creative approach to the law are characteristics Tim brings to the Berman & Simmons team. A native of Vermont, Tim traveled around the world in pursuit of other interests, including music, languages, and food, before finding his calling as an attorney. He played trumpet at the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University; studied in Russia while earning a degree in Russian Language and Literature; and worked as an executive chef at restaurants in Indiana and Maine. Ultimately, the practice of law was the career that satisfied Tim’s strong desire to help others, while challenging him both creatively and intellectually.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Timothy Kenlan

• 

  Travis Brennan

  Attorney

  Attorney Travis Brennan is a highly skilled and accomplished trial attorney who represents clients in claims involving medical malpractice, wrongful death, personal injury, and defective products. Travis is a fierce competitor with a tireless work ethic who is committed to standing up for people who have been wronged or injured through no fault of their own. He thrives when tackling complex challenges and facing down powerful opposition, including insurance companies. Travis recognizes that every client is unique. He listens carefully to clients to understand the events related to their case, the nature of their injuries, and the different ways they have been impacted. This enables Travis to develop a successful legal strategy and serve as a strong and passionate advocate for his clients. “Clients place tremendous trust in me to help them when a horrible event occurs in their life. I am committed to helping my clients navigate a complex and overwhelming system and to achieve the best results for my clients.” Clients across Maine have entrusted Travis with some of the most complex and difficult cases involving surgical errors, misdiagnosis, delay in diagnosis, amputations, as well as catastrophic personal injury claims involving motor vehicle collisions resulting in injuries, including death, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and complex fractures. Travis has achieved large jury verdicts and multi-million-dollar settlements in catastrophic cases throughout Maine. In September 2022, Travis won a $5,000,000 unanimous jury verdict on behalf of a man who now has permanent neurologic deficits because medical providers negligently overlooked his warning signs of a life-threatening condition. This case is notable for being the first civil jury trial in Cumberland County since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic stopped civil jury trials in most of Maine, Travis won jury trials in five different counties across the State of Maine in 2019. In November 2019, he achieved a $1,200,000 jury verdict in a medical malpractice case in Aroostook County arising from a patient’s permanent leg injury caused by a hospital’s negligence in failing to diagnose and treat serious, ongoing internal bleeding. In December 2019, he followed that up by achieving an $848,000 jury verdict in a medical malpractice case in Penobscot County on behalf of a lobsterman who was injured by a surgeon during a botched hernia repair. When this Maine native is not preparing for his next trial, he serves as a volunteer firefighter in his local town—a passion he developed nearly two decades ago when he became a firefighter and EMT. Travis’ passions include running and enjoying the Maine outdoors with his wife, daughter, and rescue dogs.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Travis Brennan

• 

  Elizabeth A. Kayatta

  Attorney

  Elizabeth Kayatta is an impassioned advocate for her clients with a track record of success in the courtroom. As a trial attorney at Berman & Simmons, she helps deliver justice for people who have suffered catastrophic and life-altering injuries. Her practice includes personal injury lawsuits arising out of medical errors, sexual abuse, reckless driving, and dangerous premises. Elizabeth has a reputation as a strategic and fearless advocate for her clients in medical malpractice cases. She takes on claims against medical providers and hospitals across Maine Massachusetts. Her experience with handling complex healthcare negligence includes cases involving spinal injury, paralysis, surgical errors, nerve damage, delayed diagnosis, and birth injuries. Elizabeth is at the forefront of trauma-informed lawyering, which gives her the specialized tools to represent survivors of sexual abuse and assault. She helps survivors navigate the emotionally-fraught process of seeking justice against perpetrators of abuse and the organizations that enabled the abuse to occur. Among her achievements, Elizabeth has recovered some of the largest sexual abuse settlements in the state. Elizabeth also handles a broad range of personal injury claims, including representing people who were killed or severely injured by motor vehicle collisions, dangerous premises, animal attacks, defective products, and negligent supervision. Elizabeth is known for exceptional preparation and attention to detail. She understands the heart of her cases, and has the ability to communicate the facts clearly and powerfully to opposing attorneys, judges, and jury members. “I enjoy mastering the facts of the case, figuring out who my audience is, and deciding what facts are going to be most persuasive,” Elizabeth said. “It’s my job to show others — whether it’s an insurance company or a jury — how an injury impacted my client’s life and why he or she deserves compensation. That’s a challenge that motivates me on a daily basis.” A Maine native, Elizabeth graduated from Princeton University, where she won the Lynde Debate Prize as one of the top three debaters in the graduating class. She graduated magna cum laude and Order of the Coif from Boston College Law School. After years of practicing high-stakes litigation in Boston, Elizabeth returned home to Maine in 2017.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Elizabeth A. Kayatta

• 

  Chris Boots

  Attorney

  Attorney Christopher Boots represents clients in claims involving personal injury, products liability, medical malpractice, and other complex civil litigation matters. Prior to joining Berman & Simmons in 2018, Chris was an associate at both the Boston and San Francisco offices of Ropes & Gray LLP, a large national law firm, where he handled a variety of high-stakes litigation. Chris takes great satisfaction in giving a voice to clients who are in difficult circumstances and in need of an advocate. Chris’ client-focused philosophy was instilled in him at a young age, while being raised by two attorneys. “I grew up seeing that as an attorney, it’s your job to help real, everyday people with real problems. That’s why I went to law school.” Chris has successfully represented many individuals seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents, a skier hurt by a broken chairlift, and an elderly woman who suffered severe fractures after being knocked down by a faulty automatic door. Chris also has experience in cases involving Section 1983 and Maine Civil Rights Act excessive force claims and has represented the estate of a prisoner who died due to inadequate medical care while incarcerated. A native of Maine, Chris graduated from the University of Chicago, and earned his law degree from Stanford Law School. At Stanford, he was active in the Community Law Clinic, advocating for low-income clients in housing, employment, Social Security disability, and criminal record expungement practices. Chris served as a co-president of the Stanford Law Association – the law school’s student government – and as a research assistant for Professor Justin Driver. He also spent a summer working as a law clerk in the office of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar in her capacity on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Immediately following law school, Chris served as a law clerk to the Honorable Jon D. Levy on the United States District Court in Portland, Maine. Chris currently works as the Legislative Committee Co-Chair for the Maine Trial Lawyers Association.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Chris Boots

• 

  Joe Gousse

  Attorney

  Joe Gousse delivers mastery in writing, researching, and factfinding to develop winning legal strategies. A highly skilled legal researcher, writer, and strategist, attorney Joe Gousse takes pride in being a steward of the Berman & Simmons legacy. For years a “student” of Jack Simmons’ Maine Tort Law, he relishes now practicing at what he considers to be the ‘bellwether of legal knowledge’ in the Maine bar. Approaching his work with a critical eye and scrupulous attention to fine detail, Joe is a natural fit for working on high-stakes claims involving complex legal issues. As the team prepares cases or readies itself for the rigors of a courtroom trial, Joe is called upon to dig into the facts of a claim and to map out a legal strategy. His gift as a research and writing specialist equips him to anticipate what arguments the opposition might present, and how best to counter them. Although it’s complex and often time-consuming work, there is little about Joe’s role he finds more gratifying than developing a novel theory to move a case towards a successful outcome. Following a tradition of excellence and building strong connections with clients. In maintaining the firm’s tradition of excellence in legal research and writing, the partners at Berman & Simmons seek attorneys with exemplary skills and experience. They found that, and more, in Joe. Part of the firm’s ‘behind-the-scenes’ intellectual resources, his is a critical role in providing the analytical skillset necessary to build a legal foundation that will stand up to scrutiny in high-pressure situations. Warm, engaging, and patient, Joe excels at explaining complex legal concepts to clients in plain language that breaks down barriers. He attributes his success in communicating with clients to his belief that clients deserve to know and can handle the truth. By recognizing and honoring where clients are at in their journey, Joe is able to tap into the ways in which they can be an integral part of their own winning team. Joe brings a long-standing passion for writing and teaching to his work. Attorney Joseph Gousse is a graduate of the University of New England and the University of Maine School of Law. While in law school, Joe served as the Head Case Note & Comment Editor of the Maine Law Review, was a Teaching Assistant for the Legal Writing Program, and was presented with the Wernick Prize for Legal Writing—awarded each year to a graduating student in recognition of outstanding legal scholarship. He has also spent time as Legislative Researcher for the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission and remains active in the realm of academic legal research and writing concerning matters of tribal sovereignty in Maine (a matter of great personal interest and importance to him). In addition to his practice, Joe has served as Adjunct Professor of Business Law at Southern Maine Community College and as a Visiting Professor of Legal Research and Writing at Husson University.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Joe Gousse

• 

  Sarah Hall

  Attorney

  Sarah applies her expertise in writing and research to construct successful legal strategies. As a talented research and writing specialist, attorney Sarah Hall enjoys the challenge of building compelling cases from the ground up through meticulous analysis of the facts and applicable law. She approaches each case like a puzzle and believes that with care and creativity the evidence can be pieced together to present a complete picture to the jury. Sarah applies her skills and intellectual curiosity to evidence gathering and case construction as a key member of the medical malpractice group. Sarah recognizes that medical malpractice cases are incredibly complex, yet a case is often decided on a small detail or a piece of a story. Most law firms don’t have the resources to ferret out those seemingly incidental facts. Berman & Simmons is widely recognized as having unmatched financial resources and the most talented trial lawyers in Maine. Working in collaboration with this distinguished team, Sarah builds strong legal strategies and advocates for clients whose lives have been turned upside down because of avoidable medical mistakes. Proficient at anticipating and evaluating complex legal issues, while supporting clients’ needs. Sarah sees her role as a medical malpractice attorney to be multi-faceted – a mix of compassionate listener, jargon translator, legal expert, and trusted ally. Initially, clients are often looking for a sounding board to help them process what happened to them. With patience and focused attention, Sarah is there to really listen to what they have to say, answer their questions, provide support, and explain the best steps forward. Sarah is an accomplished research attorney with a respected portfolio of success. With experience as both a plaintiff’s attorney and defense attorney, Sarah adds unique experience and insight to the Berman & Simmons research and writing team. Her 20+ year legal career has spanned small firms and private practice and she brings a strong foundation in case management, litigation support, and client advocacy to her role. Sarah is a graduate of the University of Maine School of Law and received her undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Sarah Hall

• 

  Chuck Hehmeyer

  Attorney

  Chuck is a legal powerhouse in the field of medical malpractice. Attorney Charles “Chuck” Hehmeyer has devoted his career to advocating for clients who have suffered severe injury because of medical mistakes. As a fair and experienced litigator, he strongly believes that lawsuits should only be brought against medical providers if there has been clear wrongdoing. And he has developed relationships with some of the most qualified physicians in the world to help build his cases. As a result, Chuck and his team have successfully navigated complicated medical issues and secured many seven- and eight-figure recoveries in birth injury and other medical malpractice cases. For more than thirty years, Chuck has represented both children and adults in cases across a broad range of medical specialties, including primary care, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, otolaryngology, gastroenterology, surgery, pediatrics, cardiology, oncology, endocrinology, genetics, hematology, neurology, and ophthalmology. He is the only lawyer in the country who regularly represents families of children who have metabolic diseases, inborn errors of metabolism and other rare genetic disorders. By combining his expertise in legal strategy with his access to an extensive network of leading medical experts, Chuck and his team have achieved notable success in these complex medical specialty cases. In addition to medical negligence cases involving birth injuries and mistreatment of rare, complex medical conditions, Chuck also focuses on commercial vehicle accident cases as well as claims against makers of defective drugs and medical devices. In November 2022, Chuck won a $25,000,000 unanimous jury verdict on behalf of a man who suffered catastrophic injuries in a motorcycle crash due to the negligence of a tractor-trailer driver. A long-standing ally, Chuck is now part of the Berman & Simmons team. For over a decade, Chuck has collaborated with lawyers at Berman & Simmons, working together to secure some of the largest negligence settlements in Maine. He has chosen to join the firm not only because of its record of success and commitment to service excellence, but because he shares the vision and work ethic of his colleagues here. “Chuck’s relentless client advocacy has led to many important improvements in healthcare delivery, such as expanding newborn screening and requiring hospital emergency departments to honor emergency protocols for patients with rare diseases. He could have joined any plaintiff’s law firm, but he chose Berman & Simmons to continue to do the best possible work in a collaborative and supportive environment.” ~ Craig Bramley, Managing Director Prior to moving to Maine, Chuck was a partner at Raynes Lawn Hehmeyer in Philadelphia where he led one of the most respected – and successful – medical malpractice legal teams in the country. Chuck maintains a national practice and has been lead counsel for plaintiffs in major cases in 24 different states, from Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts all the way to Florida in the East and to California and Washington State in the West. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Law and received his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University. Chuck holds many distinctions and memberships, including a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, which is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Chuck Hehmeyer