Jerrol A. Crouter

Attorney

Jerrol A. Crouter

Attorney

Phone: 207.253.0512 Fax: 207.772.3627 Email: jcrouter@dwmlaw.com

84 Marginal Way, Suite 600 Portland, ME 04101-2480

Assistant: Ashley Carr Email: acarr@dwmlaw.com

About

Jerry “is particularly well regarded for his mediation and arbitration experience” and “is an absolutely outstanding lawyer and eminent counselor. He has a great ability to read situations and reach the right outcome quickly.” – Chambers USA

Jerry Crouter has 38 years of experience as a civil trial attorney and now focuses on serving as a mediator and arbitrator in commercial, construction, employment, real estate, probate, family law, malpractice and personal injury disputes.  Jerry also serves as outside counsel for higher education institutions, advising them on a wide range of ever-evolving matters including student discipline, Title IX, faculty and staff employment, and tenure. Jerry is qualified to serve as a Title IX hearing officer and/or decision-maker.

Renowned for his ability to provide parties with an honest assessment of their case and the risks associated with taking a case to trial, lawyers routinely turn to Jerry for help mediating a case. Jerry has extensive experience as a civil trial attorney in both federal and state courts, and has successfully tried jury and jury-waived cases, including employment discrimination, antitrust, commercial torts, construction disputes, contract disputes, and patent infringement.  As an arbitrator, Jerry carefully evaluates the evidence and delivers a reasoned and fair decision.

Jerry’s expertise and professionalism are widely recognized. Best Lawyers named him Maine’s “Lawyer of the Year” in the categories of both Mediation and Arbitration. He is also listed in Best Lawyers in America in the categories Commercial Litigation, Construction Litigation, Labor and Employment Litigation, and Bet-the-Company Litigation.

Jerry is an avid swimmer who gets to the pool six days a week, serves as the Secretary of Maine Swim Officials Association, and officiates high school, college, and age group swim meets. Dedicated to serving the needs of the community, Jerry is Treasurer of the Maine Justice Foundation, which is dedicated to providing legal aid to the indigent, and is a member of the Grievance Commission of the Maine Board of Bar Overseers.

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Education

Colby College, B.A., 1978

George Washington School of Law, J.D., 1983

Recognition

Lawyer of the Year (Awarded by Best Lawyers USA):

  • Arbitration Lawyer of the Year, Portland, ME 2015, 2020, 2022, 2024
  • Mediation Lawyer of the Year, Portland, ME 2019, 2024
  • Litigation – Construction Lawyer of the Year, Portland, ME 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year, Portland, ME 2017
  • Litigation – Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year, Portland, ME 2015
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year, Portland, ME 2010

Chambers USA, Maine, Litigation: General Commercial, Band 3

New England Super Lawyers

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution 2007-2022
  • Construction Litigation 2007-2022
  • Schools & Education 2007-2022

Best Lawyers USA

  • Arbitration 2011-2024
  • Litigation – Labor and Employment 2011-2024
  • Mediation 2011-2024
  • Litigation – Construction 2011-2024
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation 2010-2024
  • Commercial Litigation 2007-2024

Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star

  • Construction 2013-2023
  • General Commercial 2013-2023
  • Product Liability 2013-2023

Martindale Hubbell, AV Preeminent

Representative Clients & Matters

Zelman v. Zelman

NB Power before Maine Public Utilities Commission on EMERA-Maine’s petition for approval of transmission line

The Maine Water Company on application for approval of conservation easement to Coastal Mountains Land Trust

Thayer Corporation v. M.S.A.D. No. 61

Barr v. Dyke and Bangor Savings Bank

Maine School Administrative Dist. No. 37 v. Pineo

Memberships

National Association of College and University Attorneys

New England Legal Foundation

Maine Trial Lawyers Association

Litigation Section of the Maine State Bar Association
Chair

Maine State Bar Association

Community/Public Service

Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar Grievance Commission
Commissioner

Maine Justice Foundation
Treasurer

Maine Equal Justice Project, a non-profit organization providing legal services to the indigent
Treasurer and Past President

Gignoux Inn of Court
President

Maine Swim Officials Association
Secretary

University of Maine School of Law
Former Adjunct Professor

 

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