Attorney
York, ME
I’ve handled approximately 100 appeals, most of them in criminal cases before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. I’ve won an unprecedented number, including the first reversal of a murder conviction in Maine in over fifteen years. Many of my cases are won on “obvious error,” meaning that even after pretrial motions, the trial itself, and sentencing, I’m the first attorney to bring the legal issue to the Court’s attention. In other words, I find issues that other attorneys (and judges) have missed.
My practice is growing into federal court, and I’m admitted to the First Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court, where I file petitions for writs of certiorari. Before entering practice, I was an intern for a federal appellate judge. I’ve written a chapter in a practice guide for other attorneys seeking to improve their litigation skills. Attorneys routinely consult with me about appellate arguments and procedures.
- Recent Cases
- State v. Armstrong, 2020 ME 97, — A.3d — (felony murder and robbery case remanded for resentencing).
- State v. Asante, 2020 ME 90, — A.3d — (murder and robbery convictions overturned on obvious error).
- State v. Thurlow, 2019 ME 166, 221 A.3d 548 (OUI, OAS and criminal speeding convictions overturned on obvious error).
- State v. Hussein, 2019 ME 74, 208 A.3d 752 (assault, refusing to submit to arrest, failure to sign a criminal summons convictions overturned).
- Gould v. State, 2019 ME 79, 208 A.3d 771 (companion case of 2019 ME 72, establishing procedure for claims of ineffective assistance of probation revocation counsel).
- State v. Reed-Hansen, 2019 ME 58, 207 A.3d 191 (State’s appeal of suppression of evidence; order upheld).
- State v. Brown, 2019 ME 41, 205 A.3d 1 (aggravated trafficking in crack cocaine vacated; remand for resentencing).
- State v. Villacci, 2018 ME 80, 187 A.3d 576 (domestic violence assault and violation of condition of release convictions overturned on obvious error).
- Knights v. State, Pen-18-32 & SRP-18-209 (May 9 & Oct. 8, 2018) (unpublished) (reversal of order denying post-conviction review; reinstatement of right to appeal sentence; sentence determined to be illegal; ultimate reduction in sentence for gross sexual misconduct convictions).