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

        • 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
        • Named the Best Lawyers® 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
        • Recognized in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business under Corporate/M&A in Maine

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

        Firm Highlights

        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Construction Attorney Cassie Dufon

        PORTLAND, Maine – Verrill is pleased to welcome Cassie Dufon to the firm’s Construction Group as an Associate, resident in the firm’s Portland...
        Press Releases

        Verrill’s Wide-Ranging Private Wealth Law Practice Recognized in 2026 Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide

        BANGOR and PORTLAND, Maine and BOSTON, Mass. – Verrill attorneys Kenneth P. Brier, Anya F. Endsley, Kurt E. Klebe, Mary McQuillen, Nathaniel S....
        Blog

        Update on Status of Maine Packaging EPR

        In December 2024, Verrill published a blog post, Unwrapping Maine's Gift to the Environment: A New Packaging Stewardship Program Set to Launch in...
        Blog

        Voluntary Benefits Move into the ERISA Litigation Crosshairs

        Employee-paid accident, critical-illness, cancer, and hospital-indemnity insurance have long occupied a quiet corner of employee benefit plan...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Maine’s New Employer Surveillance Law, 26 M.R.S. § 620-A

        Effective July 14, 2026 Maine employers that electronically monitor employees must comply with a new disclosure law effective July 14, 2026. Under...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Recognized by U.S. News as One of the Best Law Firms to Work for in 2026

        BOSTON, Mass., BANGOR and PORTLAND, Maine, GREENWICH and WESTPORT, Conn., – Verrill has been featured on U.S. News’ 2026 Best Companies to Work...
        Blog

        SECURE 2.0 Roth Catch-Up Rules and the 403(b) 15-Year Catch-Up: What Tax-Exempt Employers Need to Know

        Tax-exempt employers whose 403(b) plans offer catch-up contributions for participants age 50 and above should be well on their way to compliance with...
        Media Mentions

        Robert Keach Quoted in Law360 on SIMAD Summer Camp Bankruptcy Sale

        Verrill attorney Robert Keach was recently quoted in a Law360 article examining the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings involving SIMAD Holdings and...
        Media Mentions

        Chris Tsouros Featured in Law360’s Coverage of Sports Real Estate Deals

        Verrill Partner Chris Tsouros was recently recognized in a Law360 article highlighting law firms involved in significant sports real estate projects...
        Blog

        What Maine’s New Employer Surveillance Law Means for Maine Employers

        Maine employers who monitor their workforce, whether through productivity software, GPS, call recording, or cameras, have a new compliance obligation...
        Blog

        Run Don’t Walk: The Implication of “While Supplies Last” Prize Promotions

        This month a big-chain grocery store has been offering daily mystery boxes during specific timed drops on a first-come, first-served basis, to users...
        Blog

        Maine’s Noncompete Statute is Reshaped for Health Care Workers: What You Need to Know

        Employers of individuals who are licensed under state law to perform, or provide, health care services in the State of Maine should be prepared for...