At the heart of Alyssa’s legal practice is her connection to client experience. She offers practical and efficient solutions for clients influenced by her years working in municipal government. A member of the firm’s Government Services and Employment Law practice groups, Alyssa specializes in employment law and public finance. Committed to going beyond simply sharing her legal expertise, Alyssa’s goal is to work in partnership with clients so they feel like Jensen Baird is an extension of their organization.
“My previous experience working in municipal government underscores everything I do. I really enjoy helping clients resolve issues and I remember what it is like to be the client. Often, there is a legal answer and a practical answer to an issue. My goal is to help clients achieve both by offering a holistic approach to assessing risks and applying the law in a way that makes sense for their organization.”
In her employment practice, Alyssa represents both public and private clients in all aspects of employer-employee relationships, including employment contracts, separation agreements, personnel policies, benefits administration, investigations, collective bargaining, arbitrations, and matters before the Maine Human Rights Commission and Maine Labor Relations Board. In her public finance practice, Alyssa is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and represents public entities in public finance transactions such as general obligation bonds, tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, and lease financing. In this area of practice, Alyssa also frequently advises both public and private clients on matters involving tax increment financing, such as the establishment or amendment of tax increment financing districts and the negotiation or drafting of credit enhancement agreements. As a result of her municipal government experience and general practice, Alyssa frequently advises clients on matters involving land use, zoning, development, ordinance drafting, code enforcement, permitting, site plan and subdivision approvals, road issues, elections, and property tax.
Prior to joining the firm in 2014, Alyssa served as the Assistant Town Manager for the Town of Cumberland where she was responsible for the Town’s human resources services and economic development, among other administrative responsibilities. Alyssa is a graduate of the University of Maine School of Law where she served as Chair of the Moot Court Team and a representative to the Student Bar Association.
A Portland native, she currently lives in Scarborough with her family.
EDUCATION
- University of Southern Maine, B.A.
- University of Maine School of Law, J.D.
- Certificate in Mediation, University of Southern Maine
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
- State of Maine
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MEMBER
- Maine State Bar Association
- Cumberland County Bar Association
- Labor and Employee Relations Association Maine
HONORS
- New England Super Lawyers Rising Stars for Government Finance and Employment and Labor (2019)
- The Best Lawyers in America© for Municipal Law (2022)