Steve is the founder of Maine Legal Associates. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Colby College, with a law degree from the University of Chicago, and has practiced in Maine since he graduated from law school in 1972. Over the course of his legal career, Steve has tried cases in Maine, Texas, and California, and is admitted to practice in Maine, the U.S. District Court of Maine, the U.S. Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Tax Court. He has experience in a wide variety of matters from criminal law to tax law, to
trademark and intellectual property. For six years, he was general counsel to the Finance Authority of Maine and handled complex commercial transactions. He is an avid collector of art, and that passion for art goes hand in hand with his interest and expertise in the legal aspects of intellectual property, copyright and trademark law.
LEGAL EXPERIENCE:
Maine Legal Associates, P.A.,
Portland, ME 1995-
Kennebunk, ME 1997-
Finance Authority of Maine
Augusta, Maine
General Counsel 1988-1995
Flora & Canders, P.A.
Presque Isle, Maine
Partner 1978-82
Stephen A. Canders, P.A.
Presque Isle, Maine
1972-78; 1982-88
Assistant District Attorney,
Prosecutorial District #8 - 1978
Complaint Justice,
District One & Two 1973-88
Mandel Legal Aid Clinic
Chicago, Illinois
Student Practitioner 1971-72
Flood, Conway, Walsh, Stahl & Farrell
New York, New York
Clerk 1968-69
EDUCATION:
University of Chicago School of Law JD
Colby College, Waterville, Maine BA (Phi Beta Kappa)
BAR ADMISSIONS:
State of Maine
U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
First Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. Tax Court
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of California (pro hac vice)
U.S. District Court for the So. District of Texas (pro hac vice)
ACTIVITIES AND ASSOCIATIONS:
The New School
- Chair 2004 - 2006
- Director 2003 - 2006
Animal Welfare Society (Kennebunk)
- former Director, Treasurer 2000 - 2003
Brick Store Museum of Kennebunk
- former Director, 2000 - 2002
City of Portland Arts District Interim Group
- former member of Finance Sub-Committee
Elks, Presque Isle Lodge
-former Chairman and member of Board of Trustees
Kennebunk Economic Development Committee
- Chair, 1999 - 2001
Maine Association of Broadcasters
- former member of Board of Directors
Maine In-House Counsel Association
- former member of Steering Committee
Maine Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
- former member of Board of Directors
- former member of Executive Committee
- President, 1996-1997
Maine Quality Management Council
- former member
Merrill Trust Company/Merrill Bank, N.A.
- former member of Advisory Board
Ogunquit Art Association
Ogunquit Museum of Art
Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Inc.
- former member of Board of Directors
Portland Museum of Art
School Administrative District No. 45
- former Chairman/member of Board
Washburn Trust Company
- former Secretary/Clerk and member of Board
York County Development Corporation
- Director, 2000 - 2001
NATURE OF EXPERIENCE
Almost seven years - over six as General Counsel - with the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME).
Extensive experience with all aspects of commercial law, from initial loan and collateral analysis, subsequent closings of loans and perfecting of collateral security, and on through and including work-outs, liquidation and litigation of claims. Prior to joining the Authority, represented clients as lead counsel in Bankruptcy, trials and other proceedings in Maine as well as other States.
SPECIFIC LEGAL EXPERIENCE:
Bonds include
$5,890,000 Economic Development Revenue Bonds, 1988 A-G
$5,500,000 Economic Development Revenue Bonds, MF Godfrey Partners Project-1989 Series
$6,500,000 Economic Development Revenue Bonds, the Dingley Press Project-1989 Series
$3,835,000 Economic Development Revenue Bonds, 1989 A-E
$7,660,000 Economic Development Revenue Bonds, 1989 F-M
$5,140,000 Economic Development Revenue Bonds, 1990 A-B
$31,500,000 Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds, 1990 (Boise Cascade)
$4,745,000 Economic Development Revenue Bonds, 1992 A-D
$62,000,000 Solid Waste Recycling Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series 1992 (Bowater)
Chapter 11 include
Act II, Inc.; Banton, Inc.; DuraStone; Law's Nursery; Robert Spenlinhauer; Saco Steel Company; Maine Pride Salmon, Inc.; Gabriel Electronics, Inc.; Occupational Medicine Associates (Counsel for Creditors’ Committee)
Environmental
CERCLA/RCRA/Lender Liability - Waterville Industries, Inc. vs FAME, 984 F2d 549 (CA 1 1993)
Maine Uncontrolled Hazardous Substances Site Law - Saco Pits; Former L & S Sales, Inc. property; negotiations with Maine DEP
"Superfund" - Saco Pits Site; negotiations with U.S. EPA and Maine DEP
Legislation-Maine
Drafted, inter alia,
"An Act Authorizing a Bond Issue in the amount of $10,000,000 to establish a Higher Education Loan Program for Assistance to Students Pursuing Higher Education" with Fund established, bonds authorized and loan criteria.{1991/LD 2162 Sec. A-35 (C.824 PL 1991) enacted Fund and loan criteria}
"An Act Authorizing a Bond Issue in the amount of $15,000,000 for the Purposes of Fostering Development of Natural Resources Enterprises in the State of Maine" with bond funding of Fund previously established and bonds authorized.{1991}
"An Act to Provide Assistance for Businesses Adversely Affected by Current Economic Conditions and Financial Institution Regulatory Problems" with Economic Recovery Fund established, bonds authorized and loan criteria. {1991/LD 2389 (C.849 PL 1991) enacted Fund and loan criteria and LD 2388 Part A (C.113 P&SL 1991) enacted putting issuance of Bonds to Referendum (passed)}
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