James I. Cohen

Jim assists investor and consumer-owned transmission and distribution utilities in transactions and regulatory proceedings ranging from rate setting, to rate design, to purchase power and special rate agreements, to mergers and acquisitions, to rulemakings and customer complaints, to Commission audits and investigations. He has also advised natural gas utilities, wood pellet heat providers, and energy aggregators on a wide range of state regulatory and legislative matters.

Jim advises a wide range of telecommunications providers on matters before the Maine PUC, the Maine Legislature, and other government agencies. He has advised telecommunications providers on matters related to the provision of mobile telecommunications services; establishment of a CLEC; approval of a dark fiber provider; government procurement; service territory expansion; tower siting; universal service; eligible telecommunications carrier rules; tax policy; and the provision of broadband servi

Jim is a seasoned government relations professional and serves as a director of Maine Street Solutions, Verrill Dana’s government relations arm. Jim concentrates his lobbying practice in the area public utility regulation, and he regularly assists clients with general business, banking, taxation, transportation, environmental and general legal issues. Jim was also the primary draftsperson of Maine’s current law governing state, county, and municipal spending.

Jim has extensive experience helping clients navigate local and state government agencies, including specific experience regarding government procurement, municipal law, property tax abatement, transportation, substance abuse treatment, and liquor regulation.