Susan Faunce Shatters Century-Old Ceiling at Top Maine Law Firm

LEWISTON, Maine – December 02, 2025 – In a landmark move for one of New England's most storied legal institutions, Berman & Simmons has named trial attorney Susan Faunce as its new Managing Director. The appointment is a historic milestone, making Faunce the first woman to lead the preeminent personal injury law firm in its more than 100-year history. She succeeds Craig Bramley, who held the role since 2015 after a distinguished 29-year career with the firm.

This leadership transition marks a pivotal moment, placing a seasoned, internally-grown leader at the helm who embodies both the firm's legacy of relentless client advocacy and a new wave of diverse leadership in the legal profession.

A New Era for a Legal Powerhouse

Berman & Simmons has long been a dominant force in Maine's legal landscape. Consistently recognized by industry authorities like Chambers USA as "the best plaintiffs' personal injury and medical malpractice firm in Maine," its reputation is built on a foundation of securing record-setting outcomes for individuals harmed by negligence. The firm's track record includes over $1.5 billion recovered for clients, highlighted by landmark cases such as a $25 million jury verdict for a trucking accident and a $22.5 million wrongful death settlement, the highest in Maine's history. Just this year, the firm was honored by Best Lawyers® as "Law Firm of the Year" across multiple plaintiff-focused practice areas, including personal injury and medical malpractice.

The transition in leadership appears to be a carefully planned succession, ensuring stability and continuity. Craig Bramley, who remains an attorney and shareholder, guided the firm through a decade of sustained success, reinforcing its "trial culture" and commitment to the civil justice system. Faunce's elevation from within, after two decades of dedicated service, signals an unwavering commitment to the core mission that has defined Berman & Simmons for a century. Her practice, concentrated on complex medical malpractice, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury cases, aligns perfectly with the firm's high-stakes focus.

A Trailblazer's Journey to Leadership

Susan Faunce's path to becoming the first female Managing Director is a testament to resilience, dedication, and a profound commitment to advocacy. Her career is not just a professional achievement but a personal story of overcoming barriers. Raised by a single mother who spoke limited English, Faunce often acted as an interpreter, an early life experience that instilled in her the importance of giving a voice to the vulnerable and the power of persistence.

These formative values guided her journey through Bowdoin College and a subsequent term in the Peace Corps in Morocco before she earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Maine School of Law. For twenty years at Berman & Simmons, she has built one of the strongest trial records in the state, meticulously preparing each case with the understanding that behind every legal file is a human story of loss and a quest for accountability.

"I am honored to lead Berman & Simmons into its next chapter," Faunce said in a statement. "For me, this work has always been about standing up for people when the stakes are highest. Our clients come to us during the most vulnerable and life-altering moments, and they deserve a team that fights relentlessly for truth, accountability, and justice."

Her appointment is not her only trailblazing achievement. As the current President of the Maine State Bar Association, she is also the first Asian American to hold that prestigious title, further cementing her role as a pioneering figure in the state's legal community.

Confronting a Persistent Imbalance

Faunce’s ascent to a top leadership position is particularly significant when viewed against the backdrop of the legal profession's slow march toward diversity and inclusion. While women have made substantial gains, now constituting a majority of associates in U.S. law firms as of 2023, their representation plummets at the highest echelons of power. According to a 2023 report from the National Association for Law Placement (NALP), women account for just 27.76% of all partners.

The disparity is even more pronounced for women of color, who represent less than 5% of partners nationwide. The fact that Black and Latina women each crossed the 1% threshold for partnership for the first time in 2023 underscores the long road ahead. In this context, Faunce's appointment at a firm of Berman & Simmons' stature is not just a local story but a notable crack in a long-standing glass ceiling. Her visibility as both the first woman to lead the firm and the first Asian American to lead the state bar association provides a powerful example for the next generation of attorneys.

Shaping Maine's Legal Landscape

Beyond her role at the firm, Susan Faunce is a central figure in Maine's legal architecture. Her influence extends through her extensive civic and professional engagement. As President of the Maine State Bar Association, she has championed initiatives to strengthen community among legal professionals and improve access to justice, especially for residents in rural areas. She previously co-chaired the MSBA's Women's Law Section, where she was instrumental in conducting a compensation survey to tackle gender-based pay inequities.

Her leadership credentials also include serving as a Past-President of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association and her current appointment to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court Advisory Committee on Rules of Evidence, a role that directly influences the standards of legal practice in the state. This deep integration into the state’s legal fabric positions her to not only lead her firm but also to drive broader conversations about legal standards, ethics, and justice. Under her guidance, Berman & Simmons is poised to amplify its impact, continuing its tradition of securing landmark results for clients while championing a more equitable and accessible legal system for all Mainers.