“The outstanding strategic planning and action plans (were) something to behold…a textbook lesson in confronting a union. Thank you!”
Peter Bennett has successfully represented management on matters of traditional labor and employment law for over thirty years primarily in the Northeastern United States. He is respected as being in the very highest echelon of lawyers in his field by his inclusion in the Bar Register of Pre-eminent Lawyers, Martindale Hubbell (where he was the second youngest lawyer to hold an AV rating when it was awarded to him), Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, Chambers USA, the Nation’s 100 Most Powerful Employment Attorneys and other respected peer reviewed lawyer rating publications.
Peter represents management in the areas of union avoidance, collective bargaining, grievance arbitration, employment investigations, unfair labor practice charge defense before the National Labor Relations Board, unfair labor practice complaint trials before the NLRB, injunction litigation, covenant not to compete advice and litigation, wrongful discharge defense, employee and corporate investigations, trade secret litigation, employment discrimination defense and litigation and other similar and related areas. In addition, Peter’s labor clients refer their corporate litigation to the firm because of the trust that they place in the lawyers at the Bennett Law Firm. On occasion, this has included the successful defense of bet the company claims.
“I want to extend our appreciation for your exemplary representation. Your efforts…were nothing short of extraordinary.”
Peter has negotiated over two hundred collective bargaining agreements for clients with one location to multinational corporations to multi-employer trade associations representing as many as one hundred separate employers at one time. His success rate is almost perfect but he has successfully defended strikes, corporate campaigns, boycotts and other labor disputes as part of achieving his clients’ success. Peter’s bargaining philosophy is to achieve a fair and workable agreement for management while remaining willing to take a strike to achieve long term success if that is what is needed. Peter has negotiated with most major unions in the United States but predominantly against the Teamsters and United Food and Commercial Workers and generally in locations from Maine through Pennsylvania.
Peter and his team have a success rate of nearly 100% in union avoidance. They attribute their success to both their experience in dealing with unions for their unionized clients as well as being one of the very few law firms to engage in persuader activities to convince employees that they are best off remaining union free. Under the new NLRB expedited election rules, campaigns can last less than two weeks, creating unrealistic time constraints. As a result, other lawyers and law firms refer union avoidance projects to Peter because of the firm’s reputation and the knowledge that they will get the job done.
“You represent (our) interests beyond our expectations, and we appreciate your great counsel.”
Peter has tried scores of arbitration cases as well as having many bench and jury trials in federal and state courts. Again, Peter has a highly successful track record in trial. The firm’s lawyers are known for being well prepared, skilled advocates who know how to try a case and advocate effectively for their clients.
Peter is an active volunteer in his community and within the Bar. He has chaired the 36,000 member Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association, has chaired the ABA’s Standing Committee on Judicial Independence, served as special advisor to the ABA’s Standing Committee on the Civil Justice System, is the First Circuit member of the ABA’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, is a member of the ABA’s Commission on the American Jury Project, is Treasurer and Trustee of the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada and a trustee of the Appellate Judges Education Institute. In his community he has been involved in many civic groups including Portland Stage Company and the Portland Museum of Art.
Experience:
1988 to Present
The Bennett Law Firm, P.A., Portland, Maine
President & Treasurer
Practice of Labor and Employment Relations Law and Litigation
1985 to 1988
Fulbright & Jaworski, Houston, Texas
Associate Attorney
Practice of Labor and Employment Relations Law and Litigation
Education:
Master of Business Administration
Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 1986
Juris Doctor, cum laude
Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 1985
Bachelor of Arts, cum laude
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 1982
Secondary School, cum laude
Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts 1978
Academic Honors:
Edward F. Hennessey Distinguished Scholar (1985 – 1st in class of 425 law students)
Paul Liacos Scholar (1984)
John Harvard Scholarship (1981)
Harvard Scholarship (1980 & 1982)
Current Bar Leadership:
Chair, Board of Trustees 2019-2020
ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, 1st Circuit Representative Special Advisor, 2022-
ABA House of Delegates, Maine State Delegate, 2018-
ABA House of Delegates, Chair Committee on Issues of Concern to the Legal Profession, 2024-
ABA Nominating Committee, 2018-
ABA TIPS Committee, Member, 2008-
ABA TIPS Finance Committee, Member 2022-2025
ABA TIPS Leadership Academy, Founding Member (2005) and Steering Committee Member, 2005-2018; 2022-
Maine State Bar Association, Nominating Committee, 2020-
Professional Honors (Selected):
International Society of Primerus Law Firms – Lifetime Achievement Award
AV® Preeminent Attorney Rating in Labor & Employment Law, Martindale-Hubbell
The Nation’s Top 100 Most Powerful Employment Attorneys
Best Lawyers in America
New England Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers National Business Edition
Chambers USA
Boston University School of Law Silver Shingle Award for Service to the Profession
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
Who’s Who (Various Publications)
Primerus International Society of Lawyers
Fellow, College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
Fellow, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section Foundation
ABA TIPS Public Service Honor Roll
Leaders in Law Global Award Winner
International Global Law Experts Awards, Labor Law – Lawyer of the Year in Maine
Court & Bar Admissions:
U.S. Supreme Court – 1993
U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit – 1992
U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit – 2020
U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit – 1987
U.S. District Court, Districts of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut
Maine – 1987
New Hampshire – 2007
Massachusetts – 2007
Connecticut – 2019
Texas – 1985 (inactive)
Bar Leadership:
National Judicial College
Chair, 2019 – 2020
Chair-Elect 2018 – 2019
Treasurer and Trustee, 2014 – 2018
American Bar Association
House of Delegates, Chair, Committee on Issues of Concern to the Profession, 2024 – 2026
House of Delegates, Member, Committee on Credentials and Admissions, 2022 – 2024
House of Delegates, Rules and Calendar Committee, Member, 2020 – 2022
Maine State Membership, Chair, 2019 – 2022
AEFC Pension Plan Administration Committee, Member, 2016 – 2018
Standing Committee on the American Judicial System, Special Advisor, 2014 – 2017
Standing Committee on Judicial Independence, 2006 – 2014, Chair, 2011 – 2014
ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, 1st Circuit Member, 2016-2019
Standing Committee on Federal Judicial Improvements, ex officio 2011 – 2014
Justice Center Coordinating Council, Member 2011 – 2014
Presidential Task Force on Federal Agency Preemption of State Tort Laws, 2009 – 2010
Section Officers’ Conference, Member, 2003 – 2008; Executive Committee, 2004 – 2005
ABA Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Section
Finance Standing Committee, Member, 2022 – 2023
TIPS Liaison to the ABA Commission on the American Jury, 2019 – 2020
Vice-Chair, Cybersecurity Task Force, 2017-2018
Judicial Division/TIPS Task Force, Member, 2014 – 2015
Task Force on Full Funding for Courts Initiative, Member, 2014 – 2015
Chair, Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice Section, 2007 – 2008
Chair Elect, 2006 – 2007
Vice-Chair, Tort, 2005 – 2006
Secretary, 2003 – 2005
Executive/Administrative Committee, 2003 – 2009
Council Member, 2000 – 2009
Task Force on Leadership Diversity Initiative, Member 2006 – ;Dean, 2009 – 2010
Past-TIPS Chairs Roundtable Caucus & Task Force, 2012 –
ABA TIPS Standing Committee, Member, 2008 –
Long Range Planning Committee, Chair, 2005 – 2006; Member 2010 – 2011
Fall Meeting Arrangements Chair, 2004 – 2005
Scholarship Board, Member, 2001 – 2002
Committee on Employment Law & Litigation, Chair, 1993 – 1995; Chair Elect, 1992 – 1993; Vice Chair, 1989 – 1992 and 1995 –
Public Relations Committee, Chair, 1995 – 1997; Member & Chair-Elect, 1994 – 1995
Membership Committee, Chair, 1998 – 2000; Member & Chair Elect, 1997 – 1998
Family Life Committee, Chair, 1997 – 1999
Task Force on Strategic Alliances, Member at various times
Task Force on Law Student Involvement, Member at various times
Communications Coordinating Group, Member at various times
Financial Committee, Member at various times, including currently
Electronic Media Coordinating Group, Member in past
Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Section Foundation
Director, 2012 – 2016
Fellow, 2010 –
American Bar Foundation
Maine State Chair, 2010 – 2017
Life Fellow (Membership Limited to 1% of the State’s Lawyers)
Fair Courts Advisory Committee
Member, 2011 – 2014
American Board of Trial Advocates Civil Bar Roundtable
Member, 2007 – 2014
The International Society of Primerus Law Firms
Director, 2000 – 2007
Regional Vice-President, 2000 – 2005
Charter Member, 1998 – Present
Boston University School of Law
Board of Visitors, 2002 – 2005
Alumni Association President, 2002 – 2003
President-Elect, 2001 – 2002
Vice-President, 2000 – 2001
Treasurer, 1999 – 2000
Executive Committee, 1997 –
National Association of Women Judges
Adjunct Member-Advisor, Informed Voters Project Committee, 2013 – 2014
Maine State Bar Association
Nominating Committee, 2019 –
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Teaching:
Faculty, University of Southern Maine Department of Continuing Education for Business, Personnel Law, 1989 – 2009; Employee and Labor Relations, 1995 – 2009
Faculty, American Institute of Banking, Portland and Kennebunk, Maine, Personnel Law, 1990
Guest Lecturer, Hotel and Hospitality Industry, Southern Maine Technical College, Personnel Law, 1993 – 1998
Guest Lecturer, University Maine School of Law, Employment Litigation, 1995
Guest Lecturer, St. Joseph’s College, Employment Law, 2011
Community Service:
Portland Museum of Art, Human Resources Committee, 2010 –
Portland Stage Company, Board of Trustees, 2006 – 2014
Ingraham, Member, Board of Directors, 2003 – 2008
St. Joseph’s Manor
Board of Trustees, 1994 – 2003
President, 1996 – 1998
President-Elect, 1995 – 1996
Treasurer, 2001 – 2003
Junior Achievement of Maine, Inc., Board of Trustees, 1992 – 2001
Publications (Selected):
Author:
“Biden’s New Mission for the National Labor Relations Board to Revive the Labor Movement”, Paradigm, September 2021
“A Strategic Approach to Employment Cases in the Courtroom” in “Inside the Minds: Courtroom Strategies”, Aspatore Books, 2008
“Adding Real Value for the Client” in “Inside the Minds: Domestic and International Litigation Strategies: Leading Lawyers on Trial Preparation, Risk Assessment, and Best Practices for Prosecution and Defense”, Aspatore Books, 2007
“Defamation Claims Arising Out of the Employment Relationship”, 33 Tort and Insurance Law Journal 857 (1998)
“Mediating or Arbitrating an Employment Discrimination Claim,” Employment Discrimination Litigation: Developments and Strategies, American Bar Association, 2000
“Supreme Court Defines Employer’s Liability for Sexual Harassment,” TortSource, 1998
“Direct Examination of the Defendant,” The Practical Litigator, ALI-ABA, 1999
“Direct Examination of the Defendant in a Wrongful Discharge Action,” Litigating the Employment Tort Case: A Guide for Plaintiff and Defense Attorneys, American Bar Association, 1995
Contributing Author and Editor:
Guide to Equal Employment Practices, Warren Gorham & Lamont, 1998
Contributing Author:
“Representing and Defending the Alleged Harasser” in “Sexual Harassment and Retaliation: A Practical Handbook for Plaintiff and Defense”, ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice, 2019
Bullet Proofing Clients From Sexual Harassment Claims, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, 1998
“Foreword,” Litigating the Sexual Harassment Case: A Guide for Plaintiff and Defense Attorneys, American Bar Association, 1994
Editor:
Insurance Coverage of Employment Disputes, American Bar Association, 1996
Board of Editors, Personnel Law Update – National Edition, Council on Education in Management, 2004-2007 (Monthly Circulation: 14,000)