Biography

Jim practices at the intersection of law and politics. Based on decades of experience as a regulatory lawyer, mediator, and elected official — including as Mayor of Portland, Jim helps clients in heavily regulated industries achieve their legal and policy goals before state and local regulatory agencies and legislative bodies.

Jim's unique background allows him to provide clients not only with insightful legal advice, but also with creative solutions involving public relations, facilitation, and outreach to key government, business, and community leaders. His experience in public service and leadership positions on multiple business and nonprofit boards gives him a deep understanding of government and a broad range of connections within Maine's business and political community.

Applying these skills across a wide range of regulated industries, Jim has helped craft or modify laws and regulations, represented clients in adjudicatory proceedings before government agencies and the courts, assisted clients in complex business transactions, facilitated stakeholder groups, and provided a wide range of legal and public policy advice.

Jim is an avid runner, biker, skier, "golfer" (quotes intentionally added), and sometimes guitar player.

In addition to Jim's main services and industries, he also focuses on the following unique areas:

Services/Industries

Education

  • Columbia University School of Law  (J.D.)
  • Princeton University, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs  (A.B., cum laude)
  • University of Southern Maine  (Certificate Program in Mediation)

Public Service

  • Mayor, City of Portland (2005-06), Portland City Council (2002-08)
  • Portland Charter Commission, Vice Chair (2009-10)
  • Cumberland County Budget Committee (2003-05)(Chair, 2005)
  • Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, Chair (2012-14), Trustee (2008-present)
  • Portland Community Chamber of Commerce, Board President (2019-present)
  • Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Trustee (2009-present)
  • Portland Trails, President (1997-98), Advisory Trustee (2002-present)
  • Project Green Schools, Advisory Trustee (2017-present)
  • Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA), Board Chair (2022-present)
  • See More Public Service

Bar Admissions

  • Maine

Court and Other Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Maine

Memberships

  • Maine State Bar Association: Consumer and Financial Institutions Section, Chair (1999-2000), Member (1996-present)
  • Maine Association of Mediators, Board of Governors (2008-2010), Member (2007-present)
  • Federal Communications Bar Association, New England Chapter, Steering Committee Member
  • Maine State Bar Association, ADR Section, Member (2009-present)
  • Court Appointed Dispute Resolution Service, Roster of Mediators (2011-2014)

Honors

  • AV® rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Recognized in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business under Energy & Natural Resources Law
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© for Administrative/Regulatory Law, Government Relations Practice, Energy Regulatory Law in Portland, Maine
  • Selected by peers for inclusion in New England Super Lawyers© under Utilities, Banking and Government Relations
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers® as the 2020 Portland, Maine Energy Law Lawyer of the Year
  • Neal W. Allen Award for Leadership in the Public Sector (2009)
  • Ruth M. Shaper Memorial Award, Maine Public Health Association (2008)
  • Public Service for the Environment Award, Sierra Club, ME Chapter (2006)

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

Firm Highlights

Blog

Crisis emerges in Maine over safe disposal of biosolids from wastewater treatment plants

Maine wastewater treatment plants are currently facing intense challenges concerning disposal of their sewage sludge , also called “biosolids.” This is a fast-moving issue getting significant coverage in the media and substantial attention from...

News

Jim Cohen Participates in Televised Debate on Maine Ballot Question to Take Over CMP and Versant Power

Verrill Partner Jim Cohen recently participated in a televised debate regarding a November, 2023 ballot question proposing to form a Maine state authority called “Pine Tree Power” that would be required to take over...

News

Jim Cohen Discusses “No Blank Checks” Citizen Initiative Before Maine Legislative Committee

Verrill Partner Jim Cohen was recently quoted in a Spectrum News article " Maine Ballot Initiative To Require Voter Approval For $1B Borrowing Gets Broad Support.” Maine LD 1772 is a citizen-initiated ballot question...

News

30 Verrill Attorneys, Across Four Offices, Recognized in 2023 Chambers & Partners Guide

Blog

Carolyn Gilbert Nominated to Maine PUC

On March 28, Governor Janet Mills nominated Carolyn “Carrie” Gilbert to serve a six-year term on the Maine Public Utilities Commission. For the past 15 years, Gilbert has worked at Daymark Energy Advisors where...

Blog

Georgetown Broadband LLC Secures Utility Pole Attachment Authorization for Community Broadband Project

On February 17, 2023, Georgetown Broadband LLC (GBLLC) became the latest community broadband entity to receive pole attachment authorization from the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to deploy a fiber broadband network. GBLLC began...

Blog

PFAS Regulatory Update: Dates You Need to Know

Public Comment on the Federal Proposed Drinking Water Standards for Six PFAS Compounds On March 29, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), published in the Federal Register its proposed national drinking water standards...

Blog

Maine PUC Asked to Fix “Leapfrogging” Problem Triggered by 2022 Changes to Maine’s Generator Interconnection Rule

The Maine Public Utilities Commission is currently considering whether to commence a formal emergency rulemaking process to amend Chapter 324 of its rules governing generator interconnections. The purpose of the rulemaking would be to...

News

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

Blog

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposes National Drinking Water Standard for Six PFAS Compounds

On March 14, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced a proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”). PFAS are a category of manufactured chemicals that...

Contact Verrill at (855) 307 0700