Last month, the Pine Tree team and many others in the communities that we serve were devastated by the news that a young man named Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero was tragically killed by federal agents in Biddeford. It is hard to find words adequate for such loss and violence. Our thoughts are with Johan Sebastián's family, friends, and loved ones, and with the entire community facing grief.  

This incident might send the message to some, especially immigrants and people of color, that they lack rights and ways to uphold them. Pine Tree remains as committed as ever to ensuring that everyone knows they have rights and deserves equal access to safety, stability, and justice.  

One of several new state laws that took effect on July 29 now restricts landlords from sharing tenants' personal information. Pine Tree staff’s expertise in landlord-tenant laws and our understanding of the experiences of low-income tenants will help our team to serve people whose rights to safety and privacy in their homes are at risk.  



Our hearts remain heavy, but this new law offers hope and a new pathway to justice for communities across Maine. We’re grateful to everyone who shares and supports our vision for a safer and more just future for all. 

A few years ago, an elderly couple accidentally filed their taxes incorrectly and received a larger refund than they should have. They remained unaware of their mistake for years until, out of the blue, the IRS demanded they return their refund and pay interest and penalties collectively amounting to more than $17,000.

The couple was devastated. Unable to pay back their debt and unsure how to move forward, they reached out to Pine Tree Legal for help. Staff attorney Caleb Gannon explored their options and, after some back and forth with the IRS, settled the couple's debt for significantly less than what they originally owed: a one-time payment of just $5. The couple made this payment, reclaimed their financial stability, and moved on from the stress of this burden.

Pine Tree's Low Income Taxpayer Clinic

Pine Tree Legal runs the state's only Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC). Many of our clients rely on tax credits to help pay for housing, car repairs, and medical expenses. Issues with credits or other tax problems can ripple through an entire person's life, sometimes leaving them with unexpected and debilitating debt.

"Our clients never foresee that they would have this debt that changes their life physically, emotionally, and financially," says LITC paralegal Juliette Laaka.

Juliette and LITC staff attorney Caleb Gannon have observed an uptick in tax issues related to scams, with victims finding themselves robbed of life savings but still responsible for taxes associated with those lost funds. Resolving issues like this can be daunting and complicated for our clients, Caleb says. "It is really intimidating, so being able to cut through that confusion, find the problem, and potentially remedy it can make a big difference."

Covering a wide range of tax issues



Our LITC team is available to help navigate a wide range of questions and problems that arise with the IRS. Caleb and Juliette share educational materials and hold outreach events throughout the state to help taxpayers understand their rights, including at the Southern Maine Women's Reentry Center, the Maine Access Immigration Network, public libraries, and elsewhere.

Learn more about Pine Tree's Low Income Taxpayer Clinic.

Pine Tree Paralegal Graduates from

National Tribal Trial College

Paula Fontes-Paul, a paralegal who has worked out of our Bangor office for more than 15 years, recently graduated with a Certificate in Tribal Court Legal Advocacy from the National Tribal Trial College at the University of Wisconsin Law School. This degree will allow her to take steps to represent clients in certain types of cases at the Penobscot Tribal Court.

We are currently fundraising to help support this expanded work within our Indigenous Peoples Unit, and hope that this will allow us to increase our caseload and services to people in Wabanaki communities.

Congratulations to Paula on this milestone!

Pine Tree Attorneys Sworn in to Maine Bar

Congrats to two Pine Tree attorneys who were sworn in to the Maine Bar last month!

Zoe Palenik (left) works out of our Bangor Office as a staff attorney in our Veterans Unit. Before joining our team, Zoe worked as an attorney in the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Jodi Lewis (right) works out of our Lewiston Office as a managing attorney in our Family Law and Victim Rights Unit. She has more than 15 years of experience in civil legal services, survivor-related advocacy, and appellate practice. Before joining our team, she most recently served as Senior Managing Attorney at the Family Violence Appellate Project in Oakland, CA.

Please join us in congratulating Zoe and Jodi!

Pine Tree reunion at the Aroostook County Bar Summer Picnic

Current and former Pine Tree attorneys gathered at the Aroostook County Bar Association annual summer picnic, where they commingled with other attorneys, judges, and court administrators from throughout the region.

"In rural counties, in particular, it's really important and special for attorneys and the judiciary to gather together and talk about some of the challenges and joys of rural law practice," says Erica Veazey (center in photo), a managing attorney in Pine Tree's Bangor and Presque Isle Offices.

Though Aroostook County makes up nearly 20 percent of the state by area, less than 3 percent of Maine's attorneys work there. The justice gap remains large in this rural region, and filling this gap calls for close collaboration amongst providers.

Thank you to our incredible crew of summer interns and fellows, most of whom wrapped up their time at Pine Tree earlier this month. We were so impressed by their talents, dedication, and energy that they brought to their projects.

Three of our interns will stay on for fall externships:

• Lily Wilson (Maine Law)
• Will Guerin (Johns Hopkins University)
• Valerie Rand (Colby College)

We're looking forward to continuing to work with these three students in the months ahead!

PTLA's latest Annual Report is now available! Check it out for updates on our community impact in 2025, stories of resilience and hope from two of our clients, and more.

None of the work featured would be possible without our supporters. We're grateful to everyone who makes our fight for justice possible.

We hope you enjoy reading! Please share with others in your network.

Members of the Maine Bar can support PTLA’s work by donating to the Campaign for Justice, a special collaborative fundraising effort by Maine’s legal community to support legal aid.