Rick Finberg has over 30 years of experience representing employers throughout the Northeast in both state and federal court as well as before administrative agencies, including human rights commissions, EEOC, OSHA, state and federal wage and hour divisions, and the National Labor Relations Board.

“It’s a feeling of comfort knowing that we have someone of your caliber and with your expertise in our corner.”

Rick advises employers on discipline and discharge, FMLA, ADA, wage and hour compliance, internal investigations, substance abuse testing, employee handbooks, non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, independent contractor classification, severance agreements, and all other aspects of the employer/employee relationship.

Rick regularly provides practical training sessions to employers’ managers and supervisors to help management and front line supervisors spot potential issues and navigate the maze of laws that apply to the workplace.

“I thank you for all of your work…You are a very valuable resource to our Company.”

Rick also works closely with employers on effective union avoidance strategies that provide a positive, supportive work environment for employees. Rick and The Bennett Law Firm team have a near perfect record defeating union organizing efforts.

Rick served for almost twenty years on the faculty of the University of Southern Maine, Department of Continuing Education for Business, teaching Personnel Law. In 2013, he was elected as a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. The College was established in 1995, through an initiative of the American Bar Association, to recognize those who, by long and outstanding service, have distinguished themselves as leaders in the field of labor and employment law.

Rick is a former member of the Board of Directors and a current corporator of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maine, a former president of the Board of Trustees of the Portland Public Library, and a past president of Temple Beth El.

Experience:

1992 to Present
The Bennett Law Firm, P.A., Portland, Maine
Director & Shareholder
Practice of Labor and Employment Law
Civil Litigation
Administrative Law

1988 to 1992
Perkins, Thompson, Hinckley & Keddy, P.A., Portland Maine
Associate
Practice of Labor and Employment Law; Civil Litigation

Education:

Juris Doctor
Boston University, School of Law, 1988 cum laude

Bachelor of Arts
Brandeis University, 1985 cum laude

Academic Honors:

Paul Liacos Scholar
Tauro Scholar
American Jurisprudence Award, Corporate Law

Current Bar Leadership:

Maine State Bar Association Board of Governors

Professional Honors (Selected):

Best Lawyers in America
Fellow, College of Labor And Employment Lawyers
Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Chambers USA
BV Distinguished Attorney Rating, Martindale Hubbell
Primerus International Society of Lawyers

Court & Bar Admissions:

U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit

U.S. District Court, District of Maine
U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire
U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
U.S. District Court, District of Vermont

Maine
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Vermont

Professional Memberships:

American Bar Association

• Member, Labor Law Section

Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts Bar Associations

Cumberland County Bar Association

Teaching:

Adjunct Faculty, University of Southern Maine
Department of Continuing Education for Business and Personnel Law, 1992 – 2009

Community Service:

Temple Beth-El

• President, 2007 – 2009
• Board of Directors, 2003 – 2011

Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Portland

• Corporator or Director, Board of Directors, 1990-2005
• Human Resources Committee, 1990 –

Portland Public Library

• President, 1996 – 1998
• Trustee, Board of Trustees, 1990 – 1998

Levey Day School

• Former Director, Board of Directors
• Past Vice President

Publications (Selected):

Co- Author:

• “Employee Misconduct and the Americans with Disabilities Act: How Far is Too Far?” – Defense Research Institute, 2000

Contributing Author and Editor:

• Guide to Equal Employment Practices, Warren Gorham & Lamont, 1998