Sedgewick retires from Berman & Simmons

LEWISTON — John Sedgewick, a longtime lawyer and managing director at the Berman & Simmons law firm, retired July 3.

Sedgewick played a key role in transforming Berman & Simmons from a small general practice trial firm into the leading personal injury and medical malpractice firm in Maine. Along with law partners, including Jack Simmons, Steven Silin and Julian Sweet, Sedgewick is credited with developing the supportive environment and collaborative approach to lawyering that have become hallmarks of Berman & Simmons.

A graduate of Tufts University and the University of Maine School of Law, Sedgewick joined Berman & Simmons in 1979. He built a successful practice in the areas of personal injury, products liability and workplace injury. Sedgewick became known statewide for his expertise in automobile accident reconstruction, product design and defect, construction site safety and other complex cases. He has been recognized as a top lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, SuperLawyers, Best Lawyers in America and other publications.

Sedgewick served as the firm’s managing director from 1988 until 2014. In that role, he oversaw business strategy, hiring, marketing and other key aspects of operations for Berman & Simmons. The growing firm celebrated its 100th anniversary last year and now employs 16 attorneys and more than 40 staff members in offices in Lewiston, Portland and Bangor.

In honor of Sedgewick, Berman & Simmons has made a donation to the Tree Street Youth Center in Lewiston. The nonprofit organization supports the youth of Lewiston-Auburn through academics, the arts and athletics.