Richard A. Shinay

Richard A. Shinay is an attorney at Drummond Woodsum in Portland whose professional career has focused on real estate law and related matters. He represents individuals, businesses, developers, lenders, municipalities, and school clients in acquisitions, development, financing, and sales. His practice also includes condominium and planned unit development matters, conservation easements, land preservation strategies, title insurance, conveyancing, and other legal issues connected with commercial and residential real estate transactions.

Rick earned a J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law in 1980 and an A.B. from Boston College in 1977. Early in his career, he served as Branch Manager and State Counsel for the Portland office of Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation from 1981 to 1985. That role gave him substantial experience in title examination, conveyancing, title insurance underwriting, and the documentation issues that affect residential and commercial real estate transactions.

Rick joined Drummond Woodsum in 1985 and has since advised clients on a broad range of real estate projects. He has particular experience with the creation and operation of condominiums and planned unit developments. He also helps clients preserve land through conservation easements and similar techniques. His title insurance background remains part of his practice, and he serves as President of Classic Title Co., a subsidiary of Drummond Woodsum that issues title insurance for residential and commercial transactions.

Richard A. Shinay has been recognized by Best Lawyers USA for Real Estate Law from 2007 through 2026 and received Portland Real Estate Lawyer of the Year honors in 2017 and 2024. Chambers & Partners ranks him in Maine Real Estate, and New England Super Lawyers has recognized his real estate and land use work. He is also rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and has held leadership and service roles in real estate, land title, planning, and conservation organizations.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Drummond Woodsum
• Member, Maine State Bar Association
• Member, Maine State Bar Assocation
• Member, Maine State Bar Association Title Standards Subcommittee of the Real Estate and Title Section
• Member, Cooperatives and Associations of Co-Owners, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law
• Member, American Bar Association Committee on Condominiums
• Board Member, Scarborough Economic Development Corporation
• Board Member and Former President, Scarborough Land Conservation Trust
• Former Member and Chair, South Portland Planning Board
• Former Member and Chair, Scarborough Planning Board
• Former Member and Co-Chair, Scarborough Open Space Committee
• Former Member and Co-Chair, Scarborough Growth and Services Committee
• Former Member and Chair, Scarborough Comprehensive Plan Revision Committee
• Former Trustee, Portland Stage Company
• Member, American Land Title Association
• Member, New England Land Title Association
• Member, Maine Land Title Association
• Legislative Committee, Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA)
• Member, Scarborough Long Range Planning Committee

Licensed State

• Maine

Education

• University of Maine School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Boston College
  A.B.

Awards & Badges