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

        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...
        Blog

        Hurry Up and Wait

        This is the third in a series of Verrill blog posts on Maine’s packaging extended producer responsibility (“EPR”) law[1]. In July we reported...
        Media Mentions

        Robert Keach Discusses First Brands Chapter 11 Case in Law360

        Verrill attorney Robert Keach was recently quoted in a Law360 article examining the rejection of First Brands Group's Chapter 11 plan and the...
        Media Mentions

        Cybersecurity and AI Governance: Scott Anderson Featured in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

        Verrill Managing Partner Scott Anderson was recently featured in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly discussing how law firms can build attorney buy-in for...
        Blog

        Section 530A Account Update: ERISA Status of Trump Accounts

        The Department of Labor has issued important guidance addressing whether employer programs that permit contributions to Section 530A accounts (and...
        Press Releases

        97 Verrill Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® 2027, Including Four Named Lawyers of the Year

        AUGUSTA, Maine, BANGOR, Maine, BOSTON, Mass., PORTLAND, Maine, and WESTPORT, Conn., (August 20, 2026) – Verrill is proud to announce that 97...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        SEC’s Proposed “Reg Crypto”: What Founders Need to Know

        Startup founders and emerging-growth companies have a number of options for raising capital under the federal securities laws, including Regulation D...
        Blog

        After 45 Years, the IRS Speaks on DCAP Nondiscrimination Testing – And It’s Good News

        Employers that provide a Dependent Care Assistance Program will be pleased to learn that for the first time in 45 years, the IRS has issued guidance...
        Media Mentions

        U.S. Courts Highlights Annabel Rodriguez’s Journey from Fellow to Mentor

        Verrill attorney Annabel Rodriguez was featured in a recent U.S. Courts article titled “From Fellows to Mentors: Alumni Share Lasting Lessons from...
        Media Mentions

        Robert Keach Discusses Bankruptcy Auction Strategy in Law360

        Verrill attorney Robert Keach spoke with Law360 article examining the complex bankruptcy auction process that resulted in the sale of 23 summer...