LEWISTON – Paul F. Macri, a partner at the Lewiston law firm of Berman & Simmons for more than 15 years, was unanimously elected to the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers at the academy’s recent meeting. Macri, whose practice is focused on appeals, has argued more than 125 cases in the Maine Supreme Judicial Court and the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

Nationally, there are 241 lawyers in the academy; Macri, an Auburn resident, is one of three lawyers from Maine in it.

The academy, which is based in Washington, was founded in 1990. Membership is open only to people with a reputation of recognized excellence and integrity as an appellate lawyer. To be eligible, a nominee’s practice must have focused substantially on appeals during at least the last 15 years.