James I. Cohen

Practice Areas

-Telecommunications

-Energy

-Government & Public Relations

-Water and Wastewater Systems

In addition to Jim's main services and industries, he also focuses on the following unique areas:

-Municipal Law

-Procurement

-Transportation

-Substance Use Disorder Treatment

-Alternative Dispute Resolution

Career

Jim practices at the intersection of law and politics. Based on decades of experience as a regulatory lawyer, mediator, and elected official — including as Mayor of Portland, Jim helps clients in heavily regulated industries achieve their legal and policy goals before state and local regulatory agencies and legislative bodies.

Jim's unique background allows him to provide clients not only with insightful legal advice, but also with creative solutions involving public relations, facilitation, and outreach to key government, business, and community leaders. His experience in public service and leadership positions on multiple business and nonprofit boards gives him a deep understanding of government and a broad range of connections within Maine's business and political community.

Applying these skills across a wide range of regulated industries, Jim has helped craft or modify laws and regulations, represented clients in adjudicatory proceedings before government agencies and the courts, assisted clients in complex business transactions, facilitated stakeholder groups, and provided a wide range of legal and public policy advice.

Professional Memberships

-Maine State Bar Association: Consumer and Financial Institutions Section, Chair (1999-2000), Member (1996-present)

-Maine Association of Mediators, Board of Governors (2008-2010), Member (2007-present)

-Federal Communications Bar Association, New England Chapter, Steering Committee Member

-Maine State Bar Association, ADR Section, Member (2009-present)

-Court Appointed Dispute Resolution Service, Roster of Mediators (2011-2014)

Public Service:

-Mayor, City of Portland (2005 - 2006)

-Portland City Council (2002 - 2008)

-Portland Charter Commission, Vice Chair (2009 - 2010)

-Portland Regional Chamber, Chair (2012 - 2014) Trustee (2008 - present)

-Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Trustee (2009 - present)

-Maine Public Spending Research Group, Trustee (2005 - 2008)

-U.S. Conference of Mayors, Community and Faith-Based Initiatives Task Force, Vice Chair (2006)

-Portland Trails, President (1997 - 1998), Advisory Trustee (2002 - )

-Portland Symphony Orchestra, VP of Budget and Finance (1999 - 2002)

-Portland City Council Finance Committee, Chair (2006 - 2008)

-Metro Regional Coalition, Chair (2007 - 2008)

-Cumberland County Budget Advisory Committee, Chair (2005)

-Downtown Portland Corporation (2005 - 2006)

-Portland City Council, Community Development Committee (2002 - 2005; 2007 - 2008)

-Creative Economy Steering Committee, Chair (2007 - 2008)

-Portland City Council Transportation Committee, Chair (2002 - 2005)

-Jetport Master Planning Committee, Chair (2005 - 2007)

-Greater Portland Transit District, Trustee (2002 - 2005)

-Narrow Gauge Rail Alignment Committee, Chair (2005)

-Sustainable Portland Task Force (2006 - 2007)

-Portland City Council, Energy and Sustainability Committee (2007 - 2008)

-Riverton School Building Committee, Co-Chair (2005 - 2006)

-Cumberland County Civic Center Joint Task Force (2006 - 2010)

-Mayor's Healthy Portland Task Force (2006 - 2008)

-Communities Putting Prevention to Work (ARRA program), Leadership Council (2010 - )

-North Deering Neighborhood Assoc., Founding Pres. (2001), Trustee (2002 - )

-Portland Public Library, Trustee (2005 - 2006)

Publications

Alerts:

-"2018 Maine Legislative Update" - Verrill

Personal

Jim is an avid runner, biker, skier, "golfer" (quotes intentionally added), and sometimes guitar player.