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Zachary M. Paakkonen

also known as Zack Paakkonen

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 20 years

Lawyer
This attorney is currently not accepting new clients.
Reason: Government Attorney

About Zachary

Practice Areas

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Fees and Rates

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Licenses

Licensed in Maine for 20 years

State: Maine

Acquired: 2005

Active

No misconduct found

Location

No contact information is available for this lawyer

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Zachary M. Paakkonen's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

4 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (4) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews

Posted by Seth | March 07, 2019 | Hired Attorney | LGBT+ Law

Excellent!

This guy is the real deal. He's professional, smart and willing to consult with others when he doesn't have an immediate answer or solution. I was lucky to have Zack's help with something I was going through--he was always honest and never gave me false expectations. If Zack is ever taking new client...s on in the future, I absolutely recommend talking to him. His knowledge about LGBTQ+ law is impeccable.

Posted by Valencia | May 14, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Discrimination

Beacon of Hope

“Zack Paakkonen was a beacon of hope to me at a time when my options appeared limited and the likelihood of a satisfactory resolution seemed nigh on impossible. Not only was he able to defend from unjust discrimination, his calm and empathetic demeanor offered emotional succor to me. I am eternally ...grateful for his service and I recommend Mr. Paakkonen without reservation.”

Posted by Don | November 29, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

I WOULD BE HAPPY TO REPRESENT ZACK WITHOUT HESITATION

I hired Zack for a domestic situation that potentially could have uprooted my family. He worked diligently in keeping the lines of communication open with the opposing attorney. No matter how busy his schedule was, or where he was, his response time to my emails, phone messages and texts were nearl...y immediate. I honestly felt that "my case" was always his top priority. I'm happy to report that I am reunited with my wife and children for a fresh start. I'm very thankful to Zack for being by my side through a very emotionally difficult journey.

Posted by Amber | February 09, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Excellent Representation that I would recommend to anyone!

Hiring Zack Paakkonen as my lawyer for a difficult custody case was the best decision I could have ever made. He was very attentive, thorough, and worked diligently to ensure that my side was well represented. In the most stressful time in my life, I felt confident having him as my lawyer and he wor...ked hard to get the results that I wanted. I would use him again and recommend him to anyone, he is incredible!

See All Client Reviews

Zachary M. Paakkonen's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Zachary
Bre Kidman headshot
Bre Kidman

Family lawyer | Sep 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"If you need a family lawyer who is going to work with you, hear and understand your concerns, and fight for your interests, Zack is who you want to call. I endorse this lawyer."

Kristine C. Hanly headshot
Kristine Hanly

Civil rights lawyer | Apr 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Paakkonen cares deeply about the clients he represents and works zealously for the interests."

Amy T. Robidas headshot
Amy Robidas

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Attorney Paakkonen. Zack is diligent, knowledgeable and thoroughly experienced in all aspects of criminal defense, which enables him to achieve great results for his clients."

View All Endorsements
Bre Kidman headshot
Bre Kidman

Criminal defense lawyer

Kristine C. Hanly headshot
Kristine Hanly

Criminal defense lawyer

Amy T. Robidas headshot
Amy Robidas

Criminal defense lawyer

Amy L Fairfield headshot
Amy Fairfield

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2018

Leading Practitioners Award, National LGBT

2015

Top 40 Lawyers under 40, National LGBT Bar Association

2010

Community Partner of the Year, Maine Transgender Network, Inc.

Work Experience

2018 - Present

Assistant Attorney General, Maine Office of the Attorney General

2014 - 2018

Managing Partner, Portland Legal, LLC

2013 - 2014

Staff Attorney, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders

2008 - 2013

Managing Partner, West End Legal, LLC

Associations

2016 - 2017

National LGBT Bar Association Family Law Institute

Director

2014 - 2018

Equality Maine

Member of Board of Directors

2012 - 2016

National LGBT Bar Association Family Law Institute

Listserve Chair

Sample of Legal Cases

Ian-Meredythe Dehne Lindsey v. Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Win

Robinson, et al. v. Zarrilli, et al., Mem 13-89

Win

In re: A.M.B.

Win

See More Legal Cases

Education

2005

Cornell Law School

2002

University of Southern Maine

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2015

Family Law Institute

Same Sex Marriage and Transgender Family Law: What Lawyers Need to Know

2014

National LGBT Bar Association Annual Meeting Cutting Edge Issues in Transgender Law

2013

Philadelphia Trans Health Conference

Advocacy for Transgender Youth

2012

National LGBT Bar Association Annual Meeting

“Running a Solo or Small LGBT-Focused Law Practice

2011

Transforming Health and Wellness

Transgender Legal Issues in Maine

2011

National LGBT Bar Association: Transgender Law Institute

Assisting Transgender Clients with Identity Documents

2010

Transforming Health and Wellness

Transgender Legal Issues in Maine

Publications

2012

Transgender Family Law: A Guide to Effective Advocacy, , Edited by Jennifer L. Levi and Elizabeth E. Monnin-Browder Legal Protections for Transgender Youth

Languages

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution