Biography

Liz applies her passion for problem-solving and strong background in legal research to help businesses navigate the ever-changing employment law landscape.

Liz’s practice centers on helping employers stay up-to-date and in compliance with their legal obligations, from preparing customized employment policies and agreements to counseling clients on employee-related matters with their business ideals and objectives in mind. Liz advises organizations small and large on issues including wage and hour matters, claims of harassment and discrimination, claims of whistleblower retaliation, ADA accommodations, federal and state leave obligations, employee policies, internal investigations, and restrictive covenants. Liz also advocates for clients in litigation in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies including the Maine Human Rights Commission, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Maine Workers' Compensation Board.

During law school, Liz served as a Bernstein Fellow at the Maine District Court and a judicial extern to the Honorable Kermit Lipez of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. After law school, Liz clerked for the Honorable Andrew M. Mead of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, where she gained invaluable insight into the litigation process from a judicial perspective.

Liz lives in South Portland with her family. When she's not at the office, Liz enjoys indoor cycling, experimenting with new recipes, and exploring Maine's hiking trails and beaches.

Services/Industries

Education

  • University of Maine School of Law  (J.D., summa cum laude)
    • Technical Editor, Maine Law Review
    • Teaching Assistant, Legal Writing Department
    • Faculty Significant Achievement Award
    • Pro Bono Publico Award
  • University of Maine  (B.A., summa cum laude)
    • With Highest Honors

Public Service

  • Member, NLS Representative, Maine State Bar Association Board of Governors
  • Chair, Maine State Bar Association New Lawyers Section (2021)
  • Active Member, Junior League of Portland, ME

Bar Admissions

  • Maine

Memberships

  • Maine Trial Lawyers Association
  • Maine State Bar Association
  • American Bar Association

Honors

  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch© under Labor and Employment Law – Management in Portland, Maine

To learn more about third-party ratings and rankings, and the selection processes used for inclusion, click here.

Clerkships

  • Maine Supreme Judicial Court

Court and Other Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Firm Highlights

Blog

HR Power Hour with Dr. Keri Ohlrich

Publication/Podcast

Whole Foods Win Shows Workplace Rules Can Shield Cos.

Verrill attorney Liz Johnston was recently published in Law360 for her article “Whole Foods Win Shows Workplace Rules Can Shield Cos.” In the article, Johnston discusses the recent decision in Kinzer v. Whole Foods...

Blog

HR Power Hour with Jeremy Vesta

News

82 Verrill Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® 2024, Including 10 Named Lawyers of the Year

Blog

HR Power Hour with Robert Brooks and Elizabeth Johnston

Publication/Podcast

NLRB's Ruling On BLM Buttons Holds Employer Lessons

Verrill attorney Elizabeth Johnston recently authored an article for Law360 entitled, NLRB’s Ruling on BLM Buttons Holds Employer Lessons . In it she discusses a recent ruling from a National Labor Relations Board judge...

Blog

Maine Captive Audience Statute Requirements

For employers operating in New England, they are likely aware of Connecticut and New York’s recent captive audience statutes, but a quick re-cap on Maine’s recently enacted Captive Audience statute: Maine’s Captive Audience statute...

Blog

HR Power Hour with Heather Hansen

Publication/Podcast

December Annual Update: End of Year Tips for Employers: Compliance & Beyond

Publication/Podcast

How to avoid employee wage and hour pitfalls during tourist season

Verrill attorney Elizabeth Johnston recently authored an article for MaineBiz entitled, How to avoid employee wage and hour pitfalls during tourist season . In the article she discusses five ways to help businesses stay...

Contact Verrill at (855) 307 0700