Atty. Paul McDonald
Paul is one of Maine’s go-to trial lawyers for difficult and bet-the-company litigation. Paul provides a unique and effective one-two punch for clients facing the prospect of litigation: combining a deep understanding of how the business world functions with ability to more clearly see the litigation playing field and, therefore, devise and implement winning strategies.
Profile Summary
About Paul McDonald at a glance
Paul McDonald is a business, bankruptcy, and litigation attorney based in Portland, Maine, practicing at Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson PA. Educated at Rutgers University–Newark (JD, 1998). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Bankruptcy (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serands clients in Portland, ME and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
Paul is one of Maine’s go-to trial lawyers for difficult and bet-the-company litigation. Paul provides a unique and effective one-two punch for clients facing the prospect of litigation: combining a deep understanding of how the business world functions with ability to more clearly see the litigation playing field and, therefore, devise and implement winning strategies. As Chambers USA put it in its 2017 Edition of America’s Leading Business Lawyers, “Clients describe him as ‘an excellent trial lawyer’ and peers praise his thoroughness: ‘He leaves no stone unturned and takes pride in his work product.’” Paul serves as General Counsel to Bernstein Shur. For many years, Paul was the Chair of Bernstein Shur’s Litigation Practice Group.
Paul is known for being able to quickly master the nuances of complex subject areas and handle any type of litigation.
Paul is also very experienced in:
- Corporate and Partnership Litigation, including claims involving corporate governance, corporate dissolution, shareholder/partner oppression and freeze out, and fiduciary duty issues.
- Securities Litigation under the anti-fraud provisions of state and federal securities laws.
- Appeals of state and federal procurement contract awards.
- IP Litigation, including preliminary injunctions and accompanying litigation involving claims of trademark, trade dress, copyright infringement, trade secrets, as well as patent infringement.
- Wireless Telecommunications Facility Siting Litigation, representing telecommunications facility providers as well as municipalities in cell tower siting litigation under the Federal Telecommunications Act.
- “Top Hat” Deferred Compensation Plan Litigation in Chapter 11 Proceedings, representing plan participants in recovering their account balances from their employers’ bankruptcy estate and claims of the company’s bankruptcy creditors.
Practice Areas Explained
Paul McDonald's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Paul McDonald handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Paul McDonald is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Maine →
A bankruptcy attorney can help you eliminate debt, stop creditor harassment, and protect your home through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.
Paul McDonald is one of 105,321 bankruptcy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse bankruptcy attorneys in Maine →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Paul McDonald is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Maine →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Maine
Practicing law in Maine. Legal matters in Maine are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Portland are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Maine state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Maine brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Maine courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Maine attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Portland or all attorneys in Maine.
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