Atty. Peter Bennett

Atty. Peter Bennett

Recipient - Edward F. Hennessey Distinguished Scholar (1985 - 1st in class of 425 law students); Paul Liacos Scholar (1984); John Harvard Scholarship (1981); Harvard Scholarship (1980 & 1982). 2012 AV® Preeminent Attorney Rating in Labor & Employment Law; The Nation's Top 100 Most Powerful Employment Attorneys; Primerus International Society of Lawyers; College of Labor and Employment Lawyers; Fellow, American Bar Foundation, State of Maine Chair; Best Lawyers in America; Chambers USA; Boston University School of Law Silver Shingle Award for Service to the Profession; Fellow, Tort Trial and In

Portland Portland 41 Years Experience 41 year
Call (207) 910-0402 Email

Profile Summary

About Peter Bennett at a glance

Peter Bennett is a President and Treasurer based in Portland, Maine, practicing at The Bennett Law Firm, P.A.. They have 41+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1985. Their practice focuses on employment, ip, and litigation. Admitted to practice in Texas (1985), U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit (1986), Maine (1987), and U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit (1987). Educated at Harvard University (Bachelor, 1982). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serves clients in Portland, ME and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Recipient - Edward F. Hennessey Distinguished Scholar (1985 - 1st in class of 425 law students)
  • Paul Liacos Scholar (1984)
  • John Harvard Scholarship (1981)
  • Harvard Scholarship (1980 & 1982). 2012 AV® Preeminent Attorney Rating in Labor & Employment Law
  • The Nation's Top 100 Most Powerful Employment Attorneys
  • Primerus International Society of Lawyers
  • College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
  • Fellow, American Bar Foundation, State of Maine Chair
  • Best Lawyers in America
  • Chambers USA
  • Boston University School of Law Silver Shingle Award for Service to the Profession
  • Fellow, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section Foundation
  • ABA TIPS Public Service Honor Roll
  • A-V Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
  • Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
  • New England Super Lawyers
  • Super Lawyers National Business Edition
  • Who's Who (Various Publications)
  • Faculty, University of Southern Maine Department of Continuing Education for Business, Personnel Law, 1989-2009
  • Employee and Labor Relations, 1995-2009
  • Faculty, American Institute of Banking, Portland and Kennebunk, Maine, Personnel Law, 1990
  • Guest Lecturer, Hotel and Hospitality Industry, Southern Maine Technical College, Personnel Law, 1993-1998
  • Guest Lecturer, University Maine School of Law, Employment Litigation, 1995
  • Author - "A Strategic Approach to Employment Cases in the Courtroom" in "Inside the Minds: Courtroom Strategies", Aspatore Books, 2008
  • "Adding Real Value for the Client" in "Inside the Minds: Domestic and International Litigation Strategies: Leading Lawyers on Trial Preparation, Risk Assessment, and Best Practices for Prosecution and Defense", Aspatore Books, 2007
  • "Defamation Claims Arising Out of the Employment Relationship," 33 Tort and Insurance Law Journal 857 (1998)
  • "Mediating or Arbitrating an Employment Discrimination Claim," Employment Discrimination Litigation: Developments and Strategies, American Bar Association, 2000
  • "Supreme Court Defines Employer's Liability for Sexual Harassment," TortSource, 1998
  • "Direct Examination of the Defendant," The Practical Litigator, ALI-ABA, 1999
  • "Direct Examination of the Defendant in a Wrongful Discharge Action," Litigating the Employment Tort Case: A Guide for Plaintiff and Defense Attorneys, American Bar Association, 1995
  • National Judicial College •Chair, 2019 – •Treasurer and Trustee, 2014 – American Bar Association •House of Delegates, Maine State Delegate, 2018 – •Vice-Chair, Cybersecurity Task Force, 2017-2018 •AEFC Pension Plan Administration Committee, Chair, 2017 – •AEFC Pension Plan Administration Committee, Member, 2016 – •Liaison, ABA Commission on the American Jury Project, 2015 – 2016 •Standing Committee on the American Judicial System, Special Advisor, 2014 – •Standing Committee on Judicial Independence, 2006 – 2014, Chair, 2011 – 2014 •Standing Committee on Federal Judicial Improvements, ex officio 2011 – 2014 •Justice Center Coordinating Council, Member 2011 – 2014 •Presidential Task Force on Federal Agency Preemption of State Tort Laws, 2009 – 2010 •Section Officers’ Conference, Member, 2003 – 2008
  • Executive Committee, 2004 – 2005 ABA Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Section •Judicial Division/TIPS Task Force, Member, 2014 – 2015 •Task Force on Full Funding for Courts Initiative, Member, 2014 – 2015 •Chair, Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice Section, 2007 – 2008 •Chair Elect, 2006 – 2007 •Vice-Chair, Tort, 2005 – 2006 •Secretary, 2003 – 2005 •Executive/Administrative Committee, 2003 – 2009 •Council Member, 2000 – 2009 •Task Force on Leadership Diversity Initiative, Member 2006 –
  • Dean, 2009 – 2010 •Past-TIPS Chairs Roundtable Caucus & Task Force, 2012 – •ABA TIPS Standing Committee, Member, 2008 – •Long Range Planning Committee, Chair, 2005 – 2006
  • Member 2010 – 2011 •Fall Meeting Arrangements Chair, 2004 – 2005 •Scholarship Board, Member, 2001 – 2002 •Committee on Employment Law & Litigation, Chair, 1993 – 1995
  • Chair Elect, 1992 – 1993
  • Vice Chair, 1989 – 1992 and 1995 – •Public Relations Committee, Chair, 1995 – 1997
  • Member & Chair-Elect, 1994 – 1995 •Membership Committee, Chair, 1998 – 2000
  • Member & Chair Elect, 1997 – 1998 •Family Life Committee, Chair, 1997 – 1999 •Task Force on Strategic Alliances, Member at various times •Task Force on Law Student Involvement, Member at various times •Communications Coordinating Group, Member at various times •Financial Committee, Member at various times, including currently •Electronic Media Coordinating Group, Member in past Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Section Foundation Director, 2012 – Fellow, 2010 – American Bar Foundation Maine State Chair, 2010 – 2017 Life Fellow (Membership Limited to 1% of the State’s Lawyers) Fair Courts Advisory Committee Member, 2011 – 2014

Practice Areas Explained

Peter Bennett's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Peter Bennett handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Employment Law

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

Peter Bennett is one of 151,622 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Maine →

Intellectual Property

IP attorneys protect inventions, brands, and creative work through patent prosecution, trademark registration, copyright, and trade-secret enforcement.

Peter Bennett is one of 94,505 ip attorneys indexed nationally. Browse ip attorneys in Maine →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Peter Bennett is one of 409,070 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 venue, 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.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Peter Bennett

Where is Peter Bennett's law office located?
Peter Bennett's law practice is located in Portland, Maine. The firm is The Bennett Law Firm, P.A.. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Peter Bennett handle?
Peter Bennett focuses on employment, ip, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Maine.
How long has Peter Bennett practiced law?
Peter Bennett has 41+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1985.
Where did Peter Bennett go to law school?
Peter Bennett earned their education at (Bachelor, 1982).
How can I contact Peter Bennett for a consultation?
You can contact Peter Bennett directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Peter Bennett received?
Peter Bennett's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Education

Bachelor
Harvard University
- 1982

Awards

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions

Texas
Admitted: 1985
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Admitted: 1986
Maine
Admitted: 1987
U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
Admitted: 1987
U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
Admitted: 1992
U.S. Supreme Court
Admitted: 1993
Massachusetts
Admitted: 2007
Connecticut
Admitted: 2019

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