About George
George F. Burns: Business and Construction Litigator in Portland, ME
George is passionate about achieving the best practical result, but he tries not to lose sight of humor and humanity in the process. He has been practicing law for over four decades and focuses on litigating, arbitrating, and mediating business and construction disputes.
Practice Areas
- Serving as trustee and counselor to family businesses, as well as providing family business mediation, which he offers in collaboration with Dr. Thomas Davidow
- Risk management for forest products wholesalers and retailers
- Representing clients in antitrust claims, as well as aiding in the creation and maintenance of antitrust compliance programs
- The ins and outs of Article 2 (Sales) of the Uniform Commercial Code
- Arbitrating, litigating, and mediating matters involving engineering errors and omissions, asbestos, product and boat builder's liability, marketing contracts, and manufacturers' representative payments
Education & Credentials
- Firms: Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson PA
- Affiliations: Maine Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, Commercial Panel of the American Arbitration Association, Court Alternative Dispute Service (CADRES), State and federal insurance regulation
- Bar Admissions: All relevant jurisdictions in New England and New York
- Awards: Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Construction, Portland, ME (2024), Lawyer of the Year: Mediation, Portland, ME (2021), Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Construction, Portland, ME (2020), Lawyer of the Year: Arbitration, Portland, ME (2018), Lawyer of the Year: Mediation, Portland, ME (2016), Lawyer of the Year: Construction Law, Portland, ME (2012)
- Recognized Since: Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2003
Affiliations
- New York University School of Law
- Other Professional Affiliations
Languages
- English
Practice Areas
Education
Awards & Recognition
- Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Construction, Portland, ME (2024)
- Lawyer of the Year: Mediation, Portland, ME (2021)
- Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Construction, Portland, ME (2020)
- Lawyer of the Year: Arbitration, Portland, ME (2018)
- Lawyer of the Year: Mediation, Portland, ME (2016)
- Lawyer of the Year: Construction Law, Portland, ME (2012)
- Recognized: Arbitration
- Recognized: Commercial Litigation
- Recognized: Construction Law
- Recognized: Corporate Law
- Recognized: Litigation - Construction
- Recognized: Mediation
- Recognized: Timber Law
- Special Focus: Antitrust
- Special Focus: Arbitration and Mediation
- Special Focus: Architects and Engineers
- Special Focus: Breach of Contract
- Special Focus: Business
- Special Focus: Business Disputes
- Special Focus: Business Planning
- Special Focus: Civil Litigation
- Special Focus: Closely-Held Businesses
- Special Focus: Commercial
- Special Focus: Commercial Development
- Special Focus: Commercial Litigation
- Special Focus: Complex Litigation
- Special Focus: Construction
- Special Focus: Construction Disputes
- Special Focus: Contract Disputes
- Special Focus: Contract Review and Negotiation
- Special Focus: Contractors
- Special Focus: Corporate
- Special Focus: Corporate Finance
- Special Focus: Estate Planning
- Special Focus: Family Businesses
- Special Focus: General Corporate
- Special Focus: Insurance Coverage
- Special Focus: Litigation
- Special Focus: Mediation
- Special Focus: Securities
- Special Focus: Structuring of Business Entities