David M. Austin

        Partner

        David has nearly 30 years of experience acting as trusted legal counsel to a variety of businesses, from new ventures to some of Maine’s most well-known organizations, on a wide range of transactional and corporate governance matters.

        David works with clients in diverse industry sectors, with a particular focus on the timberland and energy industries, in connection with mergers and acquisitions, governance, commercial contracts, debt and equity financings, and stockholder relations.

        Clients look to David for guidance on strategic growth and business succession planning. David also provides counsel to shareholders and other business owners regarding a variety of business transition issues.

        David is an active member of the Maine business community. Prior to joining Verrill, David was a partner at a Maine-based law firm, including serving as President and Managing Partner of the firm for more than a decade.

        Services/Industries

        Education

        • University of Maine School of Law (J.D., cum laude)
        • University of Maine (B.A.)

        Bar Admissions

        • Maine

        Court and Other Admissions

        • United States District Court, District of Maine

        Memberships

        • American Bar Association
        • Penobscot County Bar Association
        • Maine State Bar Association, Business Law Section, Past Chair and Current Member
        • Maine Chamber of Commerce, Current Board Member
        • Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, Past Board Member
        • Maine and Company, Past Board Member
        • University of Maine Foundation, Board of Directors, Past Chair and current Member
        • Brewer School Committee, Past Member

        Honors

        • Named The Best Lawyers in America® Mergers and Acquisitions Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Portland, Maine (2027)
        • Named The Best Lawyers in America® Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Portland, Maine (2026)
        • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® under Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, and Mergers and Acquisitions Law in Portland, Maine
        • Recognized in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business under Corporate/M&A in Maine
        • Recognized in the Legal 500 US City Elite Rankings – Corporate and M&A (New England)
        • Selected by peers for inclusion in New England Super Lawyers under Business and Corporate

        Learn more about the third-party ratings, rankings, and selection processes used for inclusion.

        Firm Highlights

        Blog

        Working 9 to 5? It’s a Way to Make a Livin’, so Make Sure You’re Payin’ for Every Minute: A Maine Employer’s Guide to Stacked Wage & Hour Rules

        Four decades after Dolly Parton gave us both the namesake anthem of the American workday and the film about three fed-up office workers’ dreams of...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Can AI Pass the Doctor Test? FDA Considers Physician-Inspired Evaluation of GenAI Devices and Other Regulatory Measures

        AI is entering healthcare with indomitable will. It promises to increase efficiency, reduce administrative burden (which healthcare providers so...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Attorney Annabel Rodriguez Named Top Women of Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill attorney Annabel Rodriguez has been recognized as a Top Women of Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and will be...
        Blog

        What Employee Benefits Lawyers Do (and How to Make the Best Use of Us)

        What do employee benefits lawyers do all day and how can clients make the best use of them? This post offers an overview of the kinds of things...
        Media Mentions

        Bloomberg Law Quotes Robert Keach on Expanded Access to Small Business Reorganization

        Verrill attorney Bob Keach was recently featured in Bloomberg Law, discussing legislation that would raise debt limits for bankruptcy relief and...
        Blog

        Phil Bartlett to Step Down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission

        On September 15, 2026, Governor Janet Mills announced that Phil Bartlett will step down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC)...
        Published Works

        Jay McCormack and Michael Fee Co-Author AHLA Article on Skin Substitute Enforcement Trends

        Verrill Partners Jay McCormack and Michael Fee co-authored an article for the American Health Law Association's Fraud and Abuse Practice Group...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Health Care & Life Sciences Attorney Elpida Velmahos

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill is pleased to announce that Elpida Velmahos has joined the firm’s Health Care & Life Sciences Group as an...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Litigation & Trial Attorney Emma Pooler

        PORTLAND, Maine – Verrill is pleased to announce that Emma Pooler has joined the firm’s Litigation & Trial Group as an Associate, resident in...
        Published Works

        Four Verrill Attorneys Co-Author Massachusetts Trends and Developments Chapter for Chambers and Partners Child Relocation 2026 Guide

        Verrill attorneys Mary H. Schmidt, Rachel A. Deering, Hannah R. Zukoff, and Mariah G. Tappan co-authored the “Trends and Developments” chapter...
        Blog

        A New Protected Class in Maine: Holders of Final Protection Orders

        In the lead-up to Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, employers may be taking a closer look at how their policies and practices respond to...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Verrill Secures SJC Victory for Boston Legacy FC in White Stadium Litigation

        Verrill has secured a significant appellate victory for Boston Legacy FC in the litigation challenging the redevelopment of White Stadium in...