Ben Gilman

Senior Government Relations & Campaign Consultant

Ben Gilman

Senior Government Relations & Campaign Consultant

Phone: 207.772.1941 Fax: 207.772.3627 Email: bgilman@dwmlaw.com

84 Marginal Way, Suite 600 Portland, ME 04101-2480

Assistant: Jennifer Leonard Email: jleonard@dwmlaw.com

About

Ben is one of the leading Government Relations attorneys in Maine, with a unique combination of more than 20 years’ experience in Maine politics, lobbying, and legal counsel, working alongside some of Maine’s most prominent elected officials and businesses. Ben is skilled at helping his clients bring about change – whether it is at the ballot box or the halls of the Statehouse.

Prior to joining Drummond Woodsum, Ben served as General Counsel and Senior Government Relations Specialist for the Maine State Chamber of Commerce representing a network of 5,000 businesses across Maine before the Maine Legislature, Executive Branch, Federal Officials, and in regulatory proceedings, working closing with Maine’s leading and most iconic businesses. In his capacity at the Chamber, Ben focused primarily on education/workforce development, utilities and energy, natural resources and business regulation issues.

Ben also served as Director of Government Affairs with the Maine Energy Marketers Association, Director of Government Affairs for Associated Builders and Contractors, as a legislative staffer at the state and federal level, including as Director of Outreach and Economic Development for US Senator Olympia Snowe.

In addition to representing Maine’s business community in a government relations capacity, Ben has worked on some of the most prominent statewide campaigns in Maine. This includes serving as Election Day legal counsel in Maine for President George W. Bush, serving as Executive Director in Maine for the Republican National Committee overseeing election operations for federal candidates for office which included Senator Susan Collins and Senator John McCain for President. Ben has also served as a political consultant and legal counsel to several candidates for Governor, State Senators, State Representatives and various ballot referendums.

Ben received his BA from the University of Maine, Orono, JD from the University of Maine School of Law, holds a certificate in International Law from Santa Clara University School of Law and is a licensed attorney in the State of Maine. Sought after for his expertise and perspective, Ben has been the guest speaker to several groups including the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, MELMAC Education Foundation, Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, Bangor Regional Chamber of Commerce, Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, E2Tech, and many others.

A Maine native, Ben now resides in Gorham with his wife, Jessica and their four children. He is very active in the community from the youth sports and activities with our kids to the town economic development commission.

Education

University of Maine, B.A. in Political Science, 1997

University of Maine School of Law, J.D., 2001

Santa Clara University School of Law, Certificate in International and Comparative Law, 2000

Recognition

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Elite Business Leads Fellow

Business and Industry Political Action Committee Star Award, 2013

Community/Public Service

Maine State Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation, President

Maine Children’s Trust, Chair

Gorham Economic Development Corporation, Board Member

Gorham Youth Football, Treasurer

Maine Department of Health and Human Services Foster Child Alumni Transition Grant, Program Board Member