Nicholas Bernate

Nicholas Bernate is a partner at Murray Plumb & Murray, based in Portland, Maine, where he serves as a member of the firm's litigation team. His practice centers on representing businesses and individuals through complex disputes in both state and federal courts, as well as on appeal. Over the course of his career, he has built a diverse litigation practice encompassing commercial disputes, real estate matters, construction disagreements, condominium law and estate litigation – giving him the versatility to handle a wide array of legal challenges across multiple industries.

Mr. Bernate's path to Murray Plumb & Murray reflects a career built on progressively significant roles within respected firms. Before relocating to Maine, he held a shareholder position at a business and real estate law firm in Santa Rosa, California. Earlier in his career, he sharpened his litigation skills as a senior associate at a law firm in San Francisco, California. This trajectory has equipped him with courtroom experience on both coasts: he has tried cases in California Superior Court and the United States Federal Court and has appeared before the Maine Superior Court, the United States District Court for the District of Maine, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

Mr. Bernate's dedication to his craft has not gone unnoticed by his peers. He has been recognized by the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in New England for his work in commercial litigation, a testament to the respect he has earned within the legal community. He obtained his law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law in 2012, graduating cum laude and earning membership in the Order of the Coif, along with dean's list honors and the Witkin Award for academic excellence. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in legal studies in 2008.