Firm History
A Tradition of Leadership in Law
The venerable Bangor law firm now known as Rudman Winchell was founded in 1917 by Abraham M. Rudman. In 1954, Mr. Rudman became a Maine Superior Court Judge, and his sons, Gerald and Paul, carried on the well-established firm’s practice, enjoying long and highly successful careers in their own right.
In 1965, Abraham Rudman was appointed a Justice of Maine’s highest court, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. That same year attorney Gene Carter joined Gerald and Paul Rudman at the firm, and the practice’s name changed to Rudman, Rudman & Carter. In 1977, the firm became Rudman, Winchell, Carter & Buckley when it merged with another established Bangor law firm, Winchell & Buckley. In 1980, Gene Carter left the practice to become a Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, and the firm became known as Rudman & Winchell. He went on to become a Judge, and ultimately the Chief Judge, of the United States District Court for the District of Maine. Rudman & Winchell remained the firm’s name for more than three decades until the title was streamlined to Rudman Winchell in 2011.
In 1991, Paul Rudman followed in his father’s footsteps to become a Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. In 2003, attorney Robert E. Murray, Jr., left Rudman & Winchell to become Commissioner of the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. He later was appointed a Judge of the Maine District Court and now serves as a Justice of the Maine Superior Court. In 2010, the Governor selected another of our partners to become a judge, when he appointed Bruce Mallonee a Judge of the Maine District Court.
A Local Firm With International Scope
Today Rudman Winchell provides a full range of legal services to individuals and families, estates, businesses, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, government agencies, schools and universities, hospitals and insurers. The firm has achieved Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating for ethical standards and legal ability. From our offices in Bangor, the commercial and banking hub of central Maine—conveniently located between Boston and Canada's eastern provinces—Rudman Winchell advises a widespread national and international client base, offering comprehensive, top caliber, cost-effective legal counsel. As it has since 1917, the firm rises continuously to the challenges of changing times, and the changing needs of the people and institutions whom we serve.
Our Historic Home
Since 1971, Rudman Winchell has been housed in the historic Graham Building at 84 Harlow Street in Bangor. Construction of this architecturally significant Arts and Crafts era edifice was already in progress at the time of the Great Bangor Fire of 1911. Fortunately, the building survived the blaze and was completed later that year. In keeping with the firm’s ardent devotion to local tradition and community history, Rudman Winchell is refurbishing the Graham Building inside and out in celebration of the building’s centennial anniversary in 2011.
Rudman Winchell Attorneys
