James R. "Jim" Erwin
Recognized since 2003
Portland, Maine
Employment Law - Management
Labor Law - Management
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Jim Erwin has extensive state and federal litigation experience in a wide range of substantive areas at the trial, appellate, administrative and arbitration levels. His practice involves the defense at agencies and in court of all types of employment claims, including sex, race, religious and national origin discrimination; sexual and racial harassment; disability discrimination under the ADA; FMLA; retaliation and whistleblower claims; restrictive covenant and trade secrets enforcement; wage-hour claims and class actions; defamation; and labor arbitrations.
Jim counsels employers on a wide range of workplace issues, conducts training sessions on harassment and other workplace issues, and performs investigations for employers. He also advocates for employers before the Maine State Legislature and administrative agencies on important issues of public policy.
Jim works extensively with clients in healthcare and higher education. He serves as general outside counsel for Bates College, advising on student affairs (including conduct, Title IX, and FERPA), academic affairs, employment, governance, and campus security, and overseeing Piece Atwood’s representation on all other matters.
- E-mail: jerwin@pierceatwood.com
- Direct Phone Number: 207-791-1100
- Phone Number: 207-791-1100
- Lawyer Page: https://www.pierceatwood.com/people/james-erwin
- Merrill's Wharf
254 Commercial Street
Portland, ME 04101
- Boston University School of Law, J.D., graduated 1978
- Dartmouth College, B.A., cum laude with high distinction, graduated 1975
- United States, Maine
- American Bar Association - Member, Litigation Section, Labor Relations Committee (former Chair, Ethics and Professionalism Subcommittee)
- College of Labor & Employment Lawyers - Fellow
- Pine Tree Council, Boy Scouts of America - Member, Executive Board
- Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce - Chair
- University of Maine System - Former member, Board of Trustees
- U. S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
63 The Best Lawyers in America® awards
14 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards
- Labor Law - Management, Portland, ME (2025)
- Litigation - Labor and Employment, Portland, ME (2025)
- Employment Law - Management, Portland, ME (2021)
- Litigation - Labor and Employment, Portland, ME (2020)
- Labor Law - Management, Portland, ME (2017)
- Litigation - Labor and Employment, Portland, ME (2016)
- Employment Law - Management, Portland, ME (2015)
- Employment Law - Management
- Labor Law - Management
- Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Management
- Listed in Chambers USA Band 1 for Employment Law.
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