Bernstein Shur Named Service Provider of the Year by ME International Trade Center

Law Firm Involved in Transactions in 30 Countries Spanning Six Continents

Portland, ME and Manchester, NH (April 12, 2012) –Bernstein Shur, one of New England’s largest multi-service law firms, today announced that it was named Service Provider of the Year by the ME International Trade Center. Gov. Paul LePage will present the award during ME International Trade Day on May 24 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, ME.

The Service Provider of the Year award is given to a ME company that has established an international presence for the export of its service or is an outstanding provider to ME’s international business community. In 2011, Bernstein Shur’s attorneys were involved in transactions touching more than 30 countries on every continent except Antarctica.

Janine Bisaillon-Cary, president of the ME International Trade Center, said that Bernstein Shur has led the way in a number of different practice areas and markets. “They’ve been at the forefront in the renewable energy field in terms of consulting and facilitating global contract negotiations and developing international investment opportunities,” explained Bisaillon-Cary. “They also have played a major role in cultivating Latin American business and trade development.”

“I attribute much of the firm’s success in securing international work to Fred Lipp and Gordon Grimes, two attorneys at the heart of Bernstein Shur’s International Practice Group,” said Charlie Miller, Bernstein Shur’s CEO. “Our affiliation with Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms, allows us to preserve our ME roots while expanding our global reach.”

It’s notable that the other recipients of the International Trade and Investment Awards are all Bernstein Shur clients: Hancock Lumber, of Casco, ME, was named Exporter of the Year. Lewiston-based Falcon Performance Footwear was named Innovator of the Year and Swedish company Mölnlycke Health Care was named Foreign Direct Investor of the Year.

“We’re delighted to receive this award,” said Fred Lipp, an attorney who often serves as the firm’s front person on deals throughout Latin America, Europe, China and Canada. “Bernstein Shur purposefully built a platform to propel U.S. companies into global markets and the award is such a positive affirmation of our efforts,” added Lipp.

In addition to working with a national and international client base, the firm serves the international needs of ME companies. In 2011, Bernstein Shur helped a shoe company establish an office in China, opened the Colombian market for industrial and technology companies and restructured U.S. subsidiaries in the European Union.

About ME International Trade Day

ME International Trade Day is northern New England’s largest annual internationally focused business trade event, with more than 200 attendees from ME, New England and eastern Canada. The theme for this year’s Trade Day is “Better by Design: Innovation for Global Markets.” For more information on ME International Trade Day, visit www.mitc.com.

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.