Notices
November 8, 2024 Congratulations To Firm Founder George Marcus On Retirement: With a mixture of appreciation for decades of guidance and leadership, respect and admiration for a job well done, sadness for the end of an era, and best wishes for the next chapters ahead, Marcus Clegg announces George Marcus’ retirement from the practice of law after 48 extraordinary years. George is a 1976 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School and a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy. He has been listed in every edition of Best Lawyers in America. George’s father Harry and uncle Myer were both well-known Maine lawyers. Together with Jennie Clegg, George founded Marcus Clegg in 1996 following a long and successful tenure at one of Portland’s largest law firms. George quickly earned a reputation as one of the preeminent bankruptcy practitioners not only in Maine, but in the Northeast. In addition, George had an extensive practice in corporate and commercial law and was known for successfully representing clients in complex and difficult situations.
George’s creativity and command of the nuances of the law have been without parallel, but equally impressive has been his abiding and heartfelt concern for the interests of his clients on whose behalf he never ceased tirelessly working. And, of course, no recitation of George’s accomplishments would be complete without an acknowledgment of his sly and ever-present sense of humor. During his practice, George has earned the respect of both his peers and the judiciary. We at Marcus Clegg owe him a huge debt of gratitude for the years of service, support, and friendship. Our practice would not have been possible but for his efforts. All of us at Marcus Clegg congratulate George on a well-deserved and happy retirement.
April 29, 2024 Brendan Barry Joins As Associate: We are thrilled to announce that Brendan Barry has joined the firm as an associate. Brendan is a 2023 graduate, cum laude, of the University of Maine School of Law and a 2021 graduate, magna cum laude, of St. Joseph’s College. While in law school, Brendan served as Managing Editor of the Oceans and Coastal Law Journal and received the Class of 2023 Faculty Award for Tax Law as well as the CALI Award (highest grade) in Business Associations (2021). Before joining Marcus Clegg, Brendan practiced with a small firm in Auburn, Maine. Brendan will practice in the areas of commercial transactions and bankruptcy law.
March 19, 2024 Marcus Clegg Files Challenge to Corporate Transparency Act: In a case of first impression in Maine, Marcus Clegg has filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Maine on behalf of a client challenging the federal Corporate Transparency Act. The statute requires the owners of many small business entities to provide personal information to the federal government in connection with creating and maintaining such entities, with the possibility of criminal penalties if they do not comply. A federal court in Alabama recently declared that the United States Constitution does not give Congress the power to impose these requirements; our client seeks the same result here in Maine. Read more about the case here .
February 29, 2024 Marcus Clegg Prevails in Maine Law Court Decision: In a case of first impression in Maine with significant implications for the application of the federal Truth In Lending Act, Marcus Clegg successfully appealed to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court (the “Law Court”) after a lower court refused to allow our client to prove at trial that while documents characterized the transaction as a commercial loan, it was really a consumer residential loan. The Law Court ruled that under the Truth in Lending Act, the true purpose and character of the transaction must be determined. The Law Court also ruled that the transaction was not exempt from the TILA because it was secured by an interest in real property (a lease), regardless of whether that interest involved a “principal dwelling.” Read the decision here.
December 12, 2023 Marcus Clegg Prevails in First Circuit Legal Malpractice Decision: Marcus Clegg successfully defended an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in ST Engineering Marine, Ltd. v. Thompson, MacColl & Bass, LLC, P.A.. The First Circuit affirmed the U.S. District Court’s decision that the defendant, a law firm, was negligent in its advice to Marcus Clegg’s client regarding the validity of a maritime lien under federal law. Marcus Clegg’s client was awarded $261,839.04 in damages. Read the decision here.
December 5, 2023 Client Advisory: Corporate Transparency Act: Marcus Clegg has issued a memorandum to its clients about a new federal law called the “Corporate Transparency Act.” Beginning January 1, 2024, most small businesses will need to report the identities of their “beneficial owners” to the federal government. Read more here, and let us know if you’d like to learn more.
May 24, 2023 Marcus Clegg Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” : Marcus Clegg partners George J. Marcus, Lee H. Bals, Daniel L. Rosenthal and David C. Johnson have been named “Super Lawyers” for 2023 in the areas of bankruptcy, business and corporate (George) and business litigation (Lee, Dan and Dave). Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. For more information about Super Lawyers, click here.
May 15, 2023 Blair Johnson Sworn In to Maine Bar: We are proud to announce that, to no one’s surprise, Blair Johnson has passed the Maine Bar Examination and has been sworn in as a member of the Maine bar. Congratulations Blair!
January 17, 2023 Blair Johnson Joins As Associate: We are thrilled to announce that K. Blair Johnson has joined the firm as an associate. Blair is a 2021 graduate, cum laude, of the Tulane University Law School and a 2015 graduate, magna cum laude, of Sewanee: The University of the South. Before joining Marcus Clegg, Blair practiced with Christovich & Kearney in New Orleans, Louisiana, worked as a student attorney with the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic, served as a law clerk with several law firms and completed an internship with the Louisiana Fifth Circuit of Appeal. Blair will practice in the areas of litigation and land use upon passage of the Maine bar exam.
January 1, 2023 John Doyle Named Partner: We are excited to announce that John H. Doyle has been named a partner in the firm as of 2023. John joined the firm in September 2019 and represents businesses and business persons in a variety of practice areas including corporate governance, finance, restructuring, mergers & acquisitions, and general corporate and commercial matters. Before joining Marcus Clegg, John served as Deputy Counsel to Maine’s Governor, General Counsel to several early stage pharmaceutical and technology companies, and was an associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. John has also served in a variety of civic and community roles including as a member of hos local School Board and Board of Zoning Appeals. John is a 2006 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and a 2003 honors graduate of the College of William and Mary.
July 24, 2020 George Marcus and Jennie Clegg Named as Leading U.S. Bankruptcy & Reorganization Lawyers: We are proud to announce that George Marcus and Jennie Clegg have been named to Lawdragon’s inaugural list of the 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy & Reorganization Lawyers. For more information click here.
September 18, 2019 Marcus Clegg Attorneys Named “Super Lawyers” : Marcus Clegg partners George J. Marcus, Lee H. Bals and Daniel L. Rosenthal have been named “Super Lawyers” for 2019. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. For more information about Super Lawyers, click here.
August 23, 2019 John Doyle To Join Marcus Clegg: Marcus Clegg is pleased to announce that John H. Doyle will be joining the firm in September 2019, practicing in the areas of commercial, corporate and real estate law. Mr. Doyle served as Deputy Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor to the Governor and as the Governor’s Records Officer from April 2018 to January 2019. Mr. Doyle had previously operated his own law practice representing and advising individual and corporate clients on a variety of transactional and other matters, and served as an associate in the Washington, DC office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, PC. He has also served in a variety of civic and community roles including as a member of his local School Board and Board of Zoning Appeals. Mr. Doyle is a 2003 honors graduate of the College of William and Mary and a 2006 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law.
July 31, 2019 We’re Hiring!: Marcus Clegg is currently seeking an associate to join our busy corporate, commercial and real estate practice. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with approximately three to five years of experience in private practice, strong drafting and legal research skills, an eagerness to learn and develop and the ability to work in a collaborative environment. Bankruptcy experience is a plus. Candidates must be admitted to the Maine bar or willing to sit for the next available bar exam. Interested candidates should email resume, writing sample and references to jlc@marcusclegg.com.
June 11, 2019 Jennie Clegg Testifies Before Maine Legislature: On June 10, Jennie Clegg testified before the Maine Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee regarding LD 1837, a bill that would establish rules for Maine’s Adult Use Marijuana Program. Jennie’s testimony focused on certain provisions of the proposed rules relating to permitted capital structures and the impact of proposed residency requirements on business structures in this field. Jennie was invited to return the next day to attend the first work session as the Committee considered changes to the proposed rules in light of all the testimony the Committee heard.
May 31, 2019 Trey R. Milam Joins Marcus Clegg: Marcus Clegg is pleased to announce that Trey R. Milam will join the firm in June 2019 as an associate. Trey is a 2019 graduate, cum laude, of the University of Maine School of Law and the winner of the Law School’s Commercial Law Award. In fall 2018, Trey completed an externship with Chief Judge Peter Cary in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maine. Trey is also a 2014 graduate of Hamilton College. A Maine native who has worked at the firm both before and during law school, Trey will practice in the areas of bankruptcy, commercial transactions and litigation upon passage of the Maine bar exam.
May 17, 2019 Jennie Clegg Named Bar Fellow: Marcus Clegg is proud to announce that Jennie Clegg has been selected to serve as a Bar Fellow of the Maine Justice Foundation. According to the Maine Justice Foundation, “The Bar Fellows is an honorary organization of attorneys, judges, law faculty and legal scholars who have been elected by their peers. … [T]hey have demonstrated outstanding achievements and dedication to the welfare of their communities and to the highest principles of the legal profession.” The Maine Justice Foundation works to assist Mainers who need legal services but lack the resources to access justice. We are proud to support the Maine Justice Foundation and congratulate Jennie on this honor.
April 4, 2019 Marcus Clegg Clients Prevail In Maine Supreme Judicial Court: Marcus Clegg successfully represented two ski area condominium owners in the Maine Business and Consumer Court in claims against the condo association, and again on an the association’s appeal to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. In Scott v. Fall Line Condominium Association, the Court upheld the lower court’s finding that our clients were entitled to judgment without the need for a trial on their claim that the condo association violated its bylaws by imposing certain rules and regulations improperly. Marcus Clegg partner David Johnson represented our clients both in the underlying case and the appeal. Read the decision here.