Pearce & Dow, LLC

Pearce & Dow, LLC

Pearce & Dow, LLC is a commercial law firm located in Portland, Maine. We represent clients in all Maine state and federal courts. Our practice areas include:

Pearce & Dow, LLC

Pearce & Dow, LLC

Pearce & Dow, LLC is a commercial law firm located in Portland, Maine. We represent clients in all Maine state and federal courts. Our practice areas include:

Firm Overview

-Corporate and business law
-Commercial real estate and land use law
-Bankruptcy, reorganization and insolvency
-Commercial litigation
-Commercial lending and borrowing

Mike Pearce opened what is now Pearce & Dow, LLC after spending many years in a larger firm. He sought to establish a small firm that concentrated on serving clients with commercial, transactional, business and/or debtor-creditor needs. These practice areas still comprise more than 90 percent of our practice. Our many years practicing in these concentrated fields enables us to provide the counsel and work product our clients have come to expect: the highest quality counsel grounded in solid legal analysis, common sense and an understanding of real-world practicalities and consequences.

We have a diverse client base, including international, national, regional and community banks; credit unions; municipalities; real estate developers; lumber companies; oil companies; construction companies; landlords; general contractors; tradesmen and various other businesses. Yet, we represent innumerable individuals and families from across the state of Maine helping them with their everyday needs.

Most of our clients reside in or do business in Maine, New Hampshire or Massachusetts. However, we have also represented clients throughout New England and the Eastern States as far south as Florida and as far west as Texas.

Main Office

Main Office
Two Monument Square, Ste. 901
P.O. Box 108
Portland, ME 04102-0108

Phone

207-822-9900

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy, Reorganization and Insolvency

All lawyers at Pearce & Dow practice regularly before the Bankruptcy Court. We represent secured and unsecured creditors, creditors' committees, trustees and debtors under all chapters of the Bankruptcy Code in every bankruptcy context. We defend preference, fraudulent conveyance and other avoidance actions. We represent buyers of assets in Section 363 asset sales and lenders financing those sales ensuring that the assets are acquired free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and interests.

Whether you are an individual or one of the largest banks or corporations in America, we will take full advantage of our decades of bankruptcy experience to represent you zealously and in a most cost-effective manner.

Our insolvency and debtor-creditor practice extends well beyond bankruptcy work. We regularly represent borrowers and creditors in workouts, complex restructurings and foreclosures. We also represent all parties in receivership proceedings in both state and federal courts.

Pearce & Dow, LLC
Michael J. Pearce

Partner

Hometown
-Falmouth, Maine

Practice areas
-Corporate and business law
-Bankruptcy, reorganization and insolvency
-Commercial lending and borrowing
-Commercial real estate and land use law
-Commercial litigation

Admitted
-Maine Bar, 1978
-U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, 1978
-U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, 1981
-U.S. Tax Court, 1979

Education
-J.D., University of Maine School of Law, 1978
-B.A., College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, 1974
-Attended Georgetown University Law Center, 19791981 (LL.M., Taxation program)

Associations and memberships
-American Bar Association (Business Law Section)
-Maine Bar Association
-Cumberland Bar Association
-American Bankruptcy Institute
-Turnaround Management Association, Maine Chapter
-Town of Falmouth, Maine Zoning Board of Appeals (Chairman, 19992001)
-Portland Country Club, Falmouth, Maine
-Maine State Golf Association
-New England Golf Association
-United States Golf Association

Professional activities
-Has lectured at CLE and corporate employee education programs
-Has served on numerous community and charitable organization boards

Honors and recognition
-New England Super Lawyers (Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights)
-Best Lawyers in America (Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights)
-Recognized by Chambers and Partners for "unusually broad experience" and strong client relationships

Past employment
-Office of Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C., 19781981
-Law office of former United States Bankruptcy Court Judge Richard E. Poulos, 19811984

Personal interests
-Enjoys golfing and officiates tournaments regionally for the USGA in New -England and the Maine State Golf Association in Maine

Education

University of Maine School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1978

Pearce & Dow, LLC
Michael J. Pearce

Partner

Hometown
-Falmouth, Maine

Practice areas
-Corporate and business law
-Bankruptcy, reorganization and insolvency
-Commercial lending and borrowing
-Commercial real estate and land use law
-Commercial litigation

Admitted
-Maine Bar, 1978
-U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, 1978
-U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, 1981
-U.S. Tax Court, 1979

Education
-J.D., University of Maine School of Law, 1978
-B.A., College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, 1974
-Attended Georgetown University Law Center, 19791981 (LL.M., Taxation program)

Associations and memberships
-American Bar Association (Business Law Section)
-Maine Bar Association
-Cumberland Bar Association
-American Bankruptcy Institute
-Turnaround Management Association, Maine Chapter
-Town of Falmouth, Maine Zoning Board of Appeals (Chairman, 19992001)
-Portland Country Club, Falmouth, Maine
-Maine State Golf Association
-New England Golf Association
-United States Golf Association

Professional activities
-Has lectured at CLE and corporate employee education programs
-Has served on numerous community and charitable organization boards

Honors and recognition
-New England Super Lawyers (Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights)
-Best Lawyers in America (Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights)
-Recognized by Chambers and Partners for "unusually broad experience" and strong client relationships

Past employment
-Office of Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C., 19781981
-Law office of former United States Bankruptcy Court Judge Richard E. Poulos, 19811984

Personal interests
-Enjoys golfing and officiates tournaments regionally for the USGA in New -England and the Maine State Golf Association in Maine

Education

University of Maine School of Law Juris Doctorate, 1978


Pearce & Dow, LLC
Joshua R. Dow

Partner

Hometown
-Presque Isle, Maine

Admitted
-Maine Bar, 1999
-U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
-U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Education
-J.D., University of Maine School of Law, cum laude, 1999
-B.A., University of Maine, 1996

Associations and memberships
-American Bar Association (Business Law Section)
-Maine Bar Association
-Cumberland Bar Association
-American Bankruptcy Institute

Professional activities
-Serves on the governing boards of several local nonprofit organizations

Honors and recognition
-Best Lawyers in America (Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights; Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation)
-New England Super Lawyers "Rising Star" (Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights)

Education

University of Maine School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1999

Pearce & Dow, LLC
Joshua R. Dow

Partner

Hometown
-Presque Isle, Maine

Admitted
-Maine Bar, 1999
-U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
-U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Education
-J.D., University of Maine School of Law, cum laude, 1999
-B.A., University of Maine, 1996

Associations and memberships
-American Bar Association (Business Law Section)
-Maine Bar Association
-Cumberland Bar Association
-American Bankruptcy Institute

Professional activities
-Serves on the governing boards of several local nonprofit organizations

Honors and recognition
-Best Lawyers in America (Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights; Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation)
-New England Super Lawyers "Rising Star" (Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights)

Education

University of Maine School of Law Juris Doctorate, 1999


Pearce & Dow, LLC
Aaron P. Burns

Hometown
-Gorham, Maine

Practice areas
-Commercial litigation
-Real estate litigation
-Commercial real estate and land use law
-Bankruptcy, reorganization and insolvency

Admitted
-Maine Bar, 1999
-Massachusetts Bar, 2000
-New Hampshire Bar 2014
-U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
-U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
-US District Court for the District of New Hampshire
-U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Education
-J.D., University of Maine School of Law, cum laude, 1999
--Comments Editor, Ocean and Coastal Law Journal
-B.A., University of Maine, summa cum laude, 1996
--Phi Beta Kappa

Associations and memberships
-American Bar Association
-Maine Bar Association
-Cumberland Bar Association
-New Hampshire Bar Association
-American Bankruptcy Institute
-City of Westbrook, Maine Zoning Board of Appeals (Member, 2008present; Chairman, 2010present)
-Board of Directors, Community Partners, Inc. (nonprofit agency with more than 300 employees supporting people with developmental disabilities)

Professional activities
-Has presented at multiple CLE programs regarding commercial lease litigation
-Law Clerk to Associate Justice Susan W. Calkins, Maine Supreme Judicial Court 1999-2000

Honors and recognition
-BV Rated - Martindale Hubbell
-New England Super Lawyers 2012 & 2013 "Rising Star" (Business Litigation)

Education

University of Maine School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1999

Pearce & Dow, LLC
Aaron P. Burns

Hometown
-Gorham, Maine

Practice areas
-Commercial litigation
-Real estate litigation
-Commercial real estate and land use law
-Bankruptcy, reorganization and insolvency

Admitted
-Maine Bar, 1999
-Massachusetts Bar, 2000
-New Hampshire Bar 2014
-U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
-U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
-US District Court for the District of New Hampshire
-U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Education
-J.D., University of Maine School of Law, cum laude, 1999
--Comments Editor, Ocean and Coastal Law Journal
-B.A., University of Maine, summa cum laude, 1996
--Phi Beta Kappa

Associations and memberships
-American Bar Association
-Maine Bar Association
-Cumberland Bar Association
-New Hampshire Bar Association
-American Bankruptcy Institute
-City of Westbrook, Maine Zoning Board of Appeals (Member, 2008present; Chairman, 2010present)
-Board of Directors, Community Partners, Inc. (nonprofit agency with more than 300 employees supporting people with developmental disabilities)

Professional activities
-Has presented at multiple CLE programs regarding commercial lease litigation
-Law Clerk to Associate Justice Susan W. Calkins, Maine Supreme Judicial Court 1999-2000

Honors and recognition
-BV Rated - Martindale Hubbell
-New England Super Lawyers 2012 & 2013 "Rising Star" (Business Litigation)

Education

University of Maine School of Law Juris Doctorate, 1999


Firm Overview

-Corporate and business law
-Commercial real estate and land use law
-Bankruptcy, reorganization and insolvency
-Commercial litigation
-Commercial lending and borrowing

Mike Pearce opened what is now Pearce & Dow, LLC after spending many years in a larger firm. He sought to establish a small firm that concentrated on serving clients with commercial, transactional, business and/or debtor-creditor needs. These practice areas still comprise more than 90 percent of our practice. Our many years practicing in these concentrated fields enables us to provide the counsel and work product our clients have come to expect: the highest quality counsel grounded in solid legal analysis, common sense and an understanding of real-world practicalities and consequences.

We have a diverse client base, including international, national, regional and community banks; credit unions; municipalities; real estate developers; lumber companies; oil companies; construction companies; landlords; general contractors; tradesmen and various other businesses. Yet, we represent innumerable individuals and families from across the state of Maine helping them with their everyday needs.

Most of our clients reside in or do business in Maine, New Hampshire or Massachusetts. However, we have also represented clients throughout New England and the Eastern States as far south as Florida and as far west as Texas.

Main Office

Main Office
Two Monument Square, Ste. 901
P.O. Box 108
Portland, ME 04102-0108

Phone

207-822-9900

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy, Reorganization and Insolvency

All lawyers at Pearce & Dow practice regularly before the Bankruptcy Court. We represent secured and unsecured creditors, creditors' committees, trustees and debtors under all chapters of the Bankruptcy Code in every bankruptcy context. We defend preference, fraudulent conveyance and other avoidance actions. We represent buyers of assets in Section 363 asset sales and lenders financing those sales ensuring that the assets are acquired free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and interests.

Whether you are an individual or one of the largest banks or corporations in America, we will take full advantage of our decades of bankruptcy experience to represent you zealously and in a most cost-effective manner.

Our insolvency and debtor-creditor practice extends well beyond bankruptcy work. We regularly represent borrowers and creditors in workouts, complex restructurings and foreclosures. We also represent all parties in receivership proceedings in both state and federal courts.

Pearce & Dow, LLC
Michael J. Pearce

Partner

Hometown
-Falmouth, Maine

Practice areas
-Corporate and business law
-Bankruptcy, reorganization and insolvency
-Commercial lending and borrowing
-Commercial real estate and land use law
-Commercial litigation

Admitted
-Maine Bar, 1978
-U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, 1978
-U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, 1981
-U.S. Tax Court, 1979

Education
-J.D., University of Maine School of Law, 1978
-B.A., College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, 1974
-Attended Georgetown University Law Center, 19791981 (LL.M., Taxation program)

Associations and memberships
-American Bar Association (Business Law Section)
-Maine Bar Association
-Cumberland Bar Association
-American Bankruptcy Institute
-Turnaround Management Association, Maine Chapter
-Town of Falmouth, Maine Zoning Board of Appeals (Chairman, 19992001)
-Portland Country Club, Falmouth, Maine
-Maine State Golf Association
-New England Golf Association
-United States Golf Association

Professional activities
-Has lectured at CLE and corporate employee education programs
-Has served on numerous community and charitable organization boards

Honors and recognition
-New England Super Lawyers (Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights)
-Best Lawyers in America (Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights)
-Recognized by Chambers and Partners for "unusually broad experience" and strong client relationships

Past employment
-Office of Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C., 19781981
-Law office of former United States Bankruptcy Court Judge Richard E. Poulos, 19811984

Personal interests
-Enjoys golfing and officiates tournaments regionally for the USGA in New -England and the Maine State Golf Association in Maine

Education

University of Maine School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1978

Pearce & Dow, LLC
Michael J. Pearce

Partner

Hometown
-Falmouth, Maine

Practice areas
-Corporate and business law
-Bankruptcy, reorganization and insolvency
-Commercial lending and borrowing
-Commercial real estate and land use law
-Commercial litigation

Admitted
-Maine Bar, 1978
-U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, 1978
-U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, 1981
-U.S. Tax Court, 1979

Education
-J.D., University of Maine School of Law, 1978
-B.A., College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, 1974
-Attended Georgetown University Law Center, 19791981 (LL.M., Taxation program)

Associations and memberships
-American Bar Association (Business Law Section)
-Maine Bar Association
-Cumberland Bar Association
-American Bankruptcy Institute
-Turnaround Management Association, Maine Chapter
-Town of Falmouth, Maine Zoning Board of Appeals (Chairman, 19992001)
-Portland Country Club, Falmouth, Maine
-Maine State Golf Association
-New England Golf Association
-United States Golf Association

Professional activities
-Has lectured at CLE and corporate employee education programs
-Has served on numerous community and charitable organization boards

Honors and recognition
-New England Super Lawyers (Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights)
-Best Lawyers in America (Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights)
-Recognized by Chambers and Partners for "unusually broad experience" and strong client relationships

Past employment
-Office of Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C., 19781981
-Law office of former United States Bankruptcy Court Judge Richard E. Poulos, 19811984

Personal interests
-Enjoys golfing and officiates tournaments regionally for the USGA in New -England and the Maine State Golf Association in Maine

Education

University of Maine School of Law Juris Doctorate, 1978


Pearce & Dow, LLC
Joshua R. Dow

Partner

Hometown
-Presque Isle, Maine

Admitted
-Maine Bar, 1999
-U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
-U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Education
-J.D., University of Maine School of Law, cum laude, 1999
-B.A., University of Maine, 1996

Associations and memberships
-American Bar Association (Business Law Section)
-Maine Bar Association
-Cumberland Bar Association
-American Bankruptcy Institute

Professional activities
-Serves on the governing boards of several local nonprofit organizations

Honors and recognition
-Best Lawyers in America (Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights; Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation)
-New England Super Lawyers "Rising Star" (Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights)

Education

University of Maine School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1999

Pearce & Dow, LLC
Joshua R. Dow

Partner

Hometown
-Presque Isle, Maine

Admitted
-Maine Bar, 1999
-U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
-U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Education
-J.D., University of Maine School of Law, cum laude, 1999
-B.A., University of Maine, 1996

Associations and memberships
-American Bar Association (Business Law Section)
-Maine Bar Association
-Cumberland Bar Association
-American Bankruptcy Institute

Professional activities
-Serves on the governing boards of several local nonprofit organizations

Honors and recognition
-Best Lawyers in America (Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights; Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation)
-New England Super Lawyers "Rising Star" (Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights)

Education

University of Maine School of Law Juris Doctorate, 1999


Pearce & Dow, LLC
Aaron P. Burns

Hometown
-Gorham, Maine

Practice areas
-Commercial litigation
-Real estate litigation
-Commercial real estate and land use law
-Bankruptcy, reorganization and insolvency

Admitted
-Maine Bar, 1999
-Massachusetts Bar, 2000
-New Hampshire Bar 2014
-U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
-U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
-US District Court for the District of New Hampshire
-U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Education
-J.D., University of Maine School of Law, cum laude, 1999
--Comments Editor, Ocean and Coastal Law Journal
-B.A., University of Maine, summa cum laude, 1996
--Phi Beta Kappa

Associations and memberships
-American Bar Association
-Maine Bar Association
-Cumberland Bar Association
-New Hampshire Bar Association
-American Bankruptcy Institute
-City of Westbrook, Maine Zoning Board of Appeals (Member, 2008present; Chairman, 2010present)
-Board of Directors, Community Partners, Inc. (nonprofit agency with more than 300 employees supporting people with developmental disabilities)

Professional activities
-Has presented at multiple CLE programs regarding commercial lease litigation
-Law Clerk to Associate Justice Susan W. Calkins, Maine Supreme Judicial Court 1999-2000

Honors and recognition
-BV Rated - Martindale Hubbell
-New England Super Lawyers 2012 & 2013 "Rising Star" (Business Litigation)

Education

University of Maine School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1999

Pearce & Dow, LLC
Aaron P. Burns

Hometown
-Gorham, Maine

Practice areas
-Commercial litigation
-Real estate litigation
-Commercial real estate and land use law
-Bankruptcy, reorganization and insolvency

Admitted
-Maine Bar, 1999
-Massachusetts Bar, 2000
-New Hampshire Bar 2014
-U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
-U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
-US District Court for the District of New Hampshire
-U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Education
-J.D., University of Maine School of Law, cum laude, 1999
--Comments Editor, Ocean and Coastal Law Journal
-B.A., University of Maine, summa cum laude, 1996
--Phi Beta Kappa

Associations and memberships
-American Bar Association
-Maine Bar Association
-Cumberland Bar Association
-New Hampshire Bar Association
-American Bankruptcy Institute
-City of Westbrook, Maine Zoning Board of Appeals (Member, 2008present; Chairman, 2010present)
-Board of Directors, Community Partners, Inc. (nonprofit agency with more than 300 employees supporting people with developmental disabilities)

Professional activities
-Has presented at multiple CLE programs regarding commercial lease litigation
-Law Clerk to Associate Justice Susan W. Calkins, Maine Supreme Judicial Court 1999-2000

Honors and recognition
-BV Rated - Martindale Hubbell
-New England Super Lawyers 2012 & 2013 "Rising Star" (Business Litigation)

Education

University of Maine School of Law Juris Doctorate, 1999


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