Robert C. Brooks

        Partner

        Rob provides advice and representation to management on all aspects of the employment relationship. He works with clients engaged in construction, health care, manufacturing, transportation, utilities, and other industries throughout the country. Rob has successfully handled matters related to union organizing campaigns, collective bargaining, unfair labor practice charges, strikes, and arbitration.

        Rob routinely handles claims for wrongful discharge, discrimination, unpaid wages, breach of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, and other disputes before judges, juries, and administrative agencies, and has successfully represented clients at all levels of the state and federal court systems. Rob also regularly provides advice and assistance to clients on proper termination procedures, Family Medical Leave Act issues, labor relations, disability issues, stock option and employee benefit disputes, and other matters.

        Rob has a particular focus on negotiating project labor agreements for large-scale construction projects. Rob has also advised public and private entities concerning the lawful use of project labor agreements in the context of a state’s competitive bidding laws.

        Relevant Experience

        • Provided management counseling and litigation representation to employers throughout the country
        • Drafted and negotiated project labor agreements for construction projects throughout the country, including pipelines, bridges, tunnels, highways, manufacturing facilities, marine terminals, water treatment facilities, nuclear waste treatment facilities, and environmental remediation sites
        • Successfully represented employers before state administrative boards, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and courts on issues involving sex discrimination, race, disability, and age-related cases
        • Successfully represented employers before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on issues related to unfair labor practices, collective bargaining, and organizing campaigns
        • Frequent lecturer on issues of labor and employment law

        Services/Industries

        Education

        • University of Maine School of Law (J.D.)
        • Harvard University (A.B.)

        Bar Admissions

        • Maine
        • Massachusetts
        • Connecticut

        Court and Other Admissions

        • U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
        • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
        • U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
        • U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
        • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

        Memberships

        • Maine State Bar Association

        Honors

        • Recognized in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business under Labor & Employment
        • Named the Best Lawyers® 2017 Litigation – Labor and Employment “Lawyer of the Year” in Portland, Maine
        • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® under Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Management, Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers, and Employment Law – Management in Portland, Maine
        • Selected by peers for inclusion in New England Super Lawyers under Employment & Labor, Employment Litigation: Defense and Workers’ Compensation in Portland, Maine

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

        Verrill's RIF/WARN Act Team

        The attorneys in Verrill’s RIF/WARN Act Team have extensive experience helping employers across many industries successfully plan for and implement employee reductions in force (RIFs).

        Events
        When: April 30 - May 1, 2026
        Location: Washington, DC
        When: February 3, 2026 at 8:00am - 5:00pm ET
        Location: Portland, ME
        When: January 16, 2025 at 8:00am – 5:00pm(EDT)
        Location: Holiday Inn By the Bay
        When: February 13, 2024 at 8:00am – 5:00pm
        Location: The Holiday Inn By the Bay

        Firm Highlights

        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Business Restructuring and Insolvency Attorney Nimra Tariq

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill is pleased to announce that Nimra Tariq has joined the firm’s Business Restructuring and Insolvency Group as an...
        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...