Bernstein Shur Attorney Nathan H. Smith Receives United Way Legacy Award

Smith Honored for More Than Three Decades of Service

Attorney Nathan H. Smith (Photo courtesy of Greta Rybus)

Portland and Augusta, ME and Manchester, NH (August 2, 2012) – Attorney Nathan H. Smith, a Bernstein Shur shareholder and member of the firm’s Real Estate and Energy Law Practice Groups, was honored with the United Way of Greater Portland’s 2012 Meg Baxter Legacy Award for his outstanding service and  leadership in the community.

The award, named after past United Way President Meg Baxter, is given to individuals whose leadership and contributions support the United Way’s effort and help to improve the lives of community members.

“Nate is a fine attorney and an exemplary community advocate,” said Charles E. Miller, Bernstein Shur’s CEO. “We congratulate him for receiving the Legacy Award and we are proud of his commitment to making our community a better place to live.”

Smith has been a community leader for more than three decades, serving as mayor of Portland, Portland city councilor, president of the board of United Way, president and co-founder of Portland Trails and president of the Portland Public Library’s board of trustees. He began his work with United Way as a volunteer in the 1980s and is a passionate advocate for the homeless and affordable housing. During his time as board president of United Way of Greater Portland, Smith worked to develop a groundbreaking non-discrimination policy and later played a major role in the establishment of the United Way of Greater Portland Foundation.

A real estate and energy attorney with more than 30 years of experience, Smith received his JD from Washington & Lee Law School and is a member of the ME State Bar Association, Cumberland Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA for his work in real estate and is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell. Smith was selected as Best Lawyers’ Portland ME Real Estate Lawyer of the Year in 2011 and in 1993 received the first Conservation Hero award from the National Park Service of ME for his work on the Eastern Prom Trail.

About Bernstein Shur

Widely regarded as one of New England’s most entrepreneurial law firms, Bernstein Shur is a multi-service firm with more than 100 attorneys in offices in ME and New Hampshire. Founded in 1915, the firm provides practical and innovative counsel in the areas of business law, litigation, and municipal law to clients throughout the region and around the world. Bernstein Shur is ME’s exclusive member of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms. More information is available at www.bernsteinshur.com.

About United Way

The United Way of Greater Portland Foundation provides a long-term base of support and flexibility to meet the ever-changing needs of the future, while helping fund current initiatives and projects that are changing lives in Greater Portland. Established in 1997, the foundation is a trusted partner working with individuals who wish to make an ongoing difference in their community. United Way of Greater Portland has been working to improve people’s lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities for more than 80 years.

Click here to watch a conversation between Smith and fellow award recipient Dick LeBlanc.