A Moment of Thanks

As we near the end of 2025, I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to all of you for your support over the past year. Whether you're a dedicated donor, a committed volunteer, a member of a partner organization, or simply interested in our work, we couldn't do what we do without you. We have always been an organization of many minds and hearts, and have always been most resilient when we work together in community. 

This past year has presented challenges, but it has also offered opportunity for new collaborations and growth. Thank you for standing with us in our fight for justice and fairness. I look forward to continuing to strengthen and expand our work together in the year ahead.

The Humans Behind Holiday Wreaths

While most agriculture in Maine slows down as winter approaches, one industry ramps up: the production of Christmas wreaths.

As with all agricultural work, wreathmaking comes with risks that may call for legal action. Workers may find themselves injured while harvesting boughs, living in unsafe housing conditions, struggling with wage withholding, or facing other kinds of discrimination. They may need help navigating the justice system as they file a workers’ compensation claim, for example, or pursue withheld wages.

To help these workers access the legal assistance that they need, Pine Tree's Farmworker Unit travels to farms and labor camps throughout the state to distribute educational materials and address incidents that have already arisen. This type of proactive outreach allows us to reach workers who may otherwise struggle to access our services due to remote living situations, lack of transportation, busy work schedules, or all of the above. We collaborate closely with partner organizations including the Maine Mobile Health Program, Mano en Mano, the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, and the Maine Department of Labor.

This winter, our staff has reached nearly 1,200 wreathmakers living at 15 labor camps across Washington and Penobscot Counties. As we find joy in holiday decorations this season, we continue to seek justice for the people who make those decorations possible. 

Serving farmworkers throughout Maine and beyond

Since 2002, Pine Tree's Farmworker Unit has expanded its services beyond Maine's borders to reach all New England states. Last year, our staff visited more than 350 sites and distributed more than 4,500 educational materials on farms producing blueberries, apples, potatoes, and other agricultural goods. 

Farmworker Unit expands, welcomes new Skadden Fellow

Tal Rothstein recently joined Pine Tree's Farmworker Unit on a two-year Skadden Fellowship, focusing on labor-related immigration relief. Since joining the Portland Office in September, Tal has already begun representing clients and is working to help build immigration capacity within the unit. We’re thrilled to have Tal on staff and know that their work will make a lasting difference in the lives of many farmworkers.

The Farmworker Unit also recently welcomed two additional new attorneys: Maddie Thomson Crossman, based out of our Augusta Office, and Lisa Butler, based out of our Bangor Office.

Please join us in welcoming all of these talented mebers of the team!

This fall, the Hirshon Family Foundation generously sponsored a matching gift campaign in support of our work, matching each new and increased gift up to $10,000.

We're thrilled to report that we have already reached our $10,000 goal!

We extend a warm and heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this campaign, and to the Hirshon Family Foundation for their vision and generosity. Together, we're one step closer to justice for all.

Four Pine Tree Attorneys Sworn in to Maine Bar

Four newly hired Pine Tree attorneys were recently sworn in to the Maine Bar, including (from left to right) Tal Rothstein (Portland Office), Izzy Barnard (Portland Office), Karl Louis Uy (Augusta Office), and J-T Mullins (Presque Isle Office).

Their work at Pine Tree spans a wide range of legal issues, including farmworkers' rights, eviction prevention, consumer law, and more.

Please join us in congratulating these talented attorneys!

Thanks to everyone who joined us for Pine Tree's Volunteer Awards Celebration in November! We had a wonderful time honoring Jennifer Kreckel and Jim McKenna, and appreciate everyone who helped make it a special night.

We're fortunate to have such a wonderful community of volunteers committed to fighting for justice!

If you're interested in learning more about volunteering with Pine Tree, please visit: ptla.org/volunteer.

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.