Bernstein Shur’s Arnie Macdonald Honored with Muskie Access to Justice Award

Portland, ME – Bernstein Shur proudly announces that Arnie Macdonald, of counsel at the firm, has been awarded the prestigious Muskie Access to Justice Award. This honor, bestowed by the Muskie Fund for Legal Services, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to ensuring access to justice for all, particularly for those in need.

Throughout his distinguished career, Arnie has been a tireless advocate for justice, dedicating much of his time to pro bono legal work. A long-time member of the pro bono panel at the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP), he has helped secure asylum for more than 40 clients from all over the world, including from Angola, Somalia, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Russia, Burkina Faso, and Haiti. He has been named ILAP’s Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year twice and its Volunteer of the Year, and he currently serves on ILAP’s board. His passion for justice extends beyond the courtroom—Arnie and his wife, Liza Moore, have mentored young refugees, providing them with support, guidance, and a sense of family.

Arnie’s commitment to legal service goes beyond individual representation. He has played a pivotal role in strengthening Maine’s legal aid infrastructure, serving as President of the Maine Justice Foundation, chairing the Campaign for Justice, and working on the American Bar Association’s Commission on IOLTA. His leadership helped sustain critical legal service funding through the financial crisis of 2007-08, ensuring that Maine’s most vulnerable populations continued to have access to legal support.

Reflecting on his work, Arnie shared, “My love for languages, history, and politics, and the friendships I have built with people from different cultures, naturally led me to asylum work. It is an area of the law where I see firsthand how good lawyering can improve people’s lives. Helping people find safety, freedom, and the chance to build a new future, and incidentally forming deep friendships across cultures, is deeply rewarding.”

In addition to his advocacy for legal services, Arnie has been instrumental in Bernstein Shur’s pro bono initiatives. As the firm’s first pro bono coordinator, he led the development of a policy that formally recognized pro bono work in attorney compensation and established internal awards for pro bono and community service. Under his leadership, Bernstein Shur attorneys and paralegals have donated thousands of hours to those in need.

“Arnie’s longstanding, unwavering commitment to ensure access to justice for all people is inspirational,” said Kaveri Subbarao, CEO of Bernstein Shur. “His work has changed lives, shaped policies, and strengthened legal services in Maine and beyond. His leadership in our firm and his deep engagement in the broader legal community make him an incredibly deserving recipient of the Muskie Access to Justice Award. We are proud to have him as a colleague and grateful for his profound impact.”

Beyond his legal career, Arnie has also been deeply involved in community service. He has been President of the Freeport Conservation Trust, served as President and helped lead a capital campaign for the South Freeport Church, and organized the Maine Academy of Modern Music. He has also contributed to preserving voting rights, volunteering in voter protection efforts in Maine and Georgia.

Arnie joins a prestigious list of community-driven honorees of the Muskie Access to Justice Award, including the late Charlie Miller, former Bernstein Shur managing shareholder and employee of more than four decades, and his wife, Ellie.

Arnie will be honored at the Maine Justice Foundation’s 28^th Annual Muskie Access to Justice Award Ceremony, a signature event bringing together legal professionals, advocates, and community leaders to support access to justice initiatives. The event will be held on June 4, 2025, at The Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine. More information about the event and the Muskie Fund can be found at www.muskiefund.org.