Pawel Binczyk is a proven litigator, advisor, and crisis response professional active throughout New England. Pawel has tried dozens of jury cases and takes pride in representing the businesses and organizations that keep our country working. Although specializing in complex labor, employment, and discrimination matters, Pawel has a breadth of experience in cases large and small, including complex injury and transportation claims. Pawel has secured everything from murder convictions to defense verdicts and dismissals on behalf of both individual and organizational clients.
Based out of Portland, Maine with the Bennett Law Firm, Pawel works closely with employers defending wage and hour matters, regulatory investigations, discrimination claims before human rights and equal opportunity commissions, union campaigns and grievances, and unfair labor practice charges, among other matters. He also maintains a busy specialty practice in alcohol licensing compliance throughout Northern New England, focused on helping alcohol manufacturers, retailers, and distributors navigate the tangled web of multi-jurisdictional alcohol statutes and regulations.
In addition to his civilian law practice, Pawel has spent over a decade in uniform, first in the active-duty Army and presently in the Army National Guard, where he has served as the uniformed general counsel for organizations large and small. Pawel also serves as a Director of Boots2Roots, a non-profit organization connecting Maine businesses with skilled military personnel looking to transition off of active duty. Pawel is further active with the Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project, both serving on the small business panel and regularly representing survivors of domestic violence in Protection From Abuse proceedings.
Experience:
2020 to Present
The Bennett Law Firm, P.A., Portland, Maine
Associate Attorney
Labor & Employment Law; Civil Litigation; Alcohol Licensing & Compliance
2018 to Present
Maine Army National Guard, Augusta, Maine
Command Judge Advocate
General Counsel
2019 to 2020
Boyle Shaughnessy Law, Boston, Massachusetts
Associate Attorney
Civil Litigation
2012 to 2018
United States Army JAG Corps, Worldwide
Judge Advocate
Litigation; National Security and International Law
Education:
Amherst College (B.A., cum laude, 2008)
The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2011)
The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School (188th JAOBC, commandant’s list, 2012)
Academic Honors:
Ralph Waldo Rice Prize, Best Senior Honors Thesis, Amherst College
Michael F. Curtin Pro Bono Award, The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law
Professional Honors (Selected):
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, 2022 – Present
Martindale-Hubbell: AV Preeminent, 2023
Martindale-Hubbell: Client Champion – Gold, 2023
Court & Bar Admissions:
U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
U.S. District Court, District of Maine
U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Maine
New Hampshire
New York
Professional Memberships:
American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
Maine State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
New Hampshire Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Military Officer’s Association of America
Cumberland Bar Association
National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals
Alliance of Alcohol Industry Attorneys and Consultants
National Association of Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Attorneys
Community Service:
Boots2Roots
- Board of Directors, 2021 – Present
Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project
- Small Business Panel
- Domestic Violence Panel