The lawyer behind 'CALL JOE,' Joe Bornstein, dies at age 74
File photo
Joe Bornstein, a personal injury attorney and one of Maine's best-known lawyers, died last week at 74.
Joseph L. Bornstein — one of Maine’s best-known lawyers, whose slogan became a catch phrase over his nearly half-century career — died Thursday, Oct. 1, at age 74.
Bornstein died peacefully and surrounded by his family, after a brief illness, according to his obituary. A private burial took place Friday.
He founded his law practice in 1974, at a one-room office where he also lived in Portland’s Old Port District. Almost 47 years later, the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein has grown to become a statewide practice with over 50 staff and seven locations including its flagship in the same Portland building at 5 Moulton St.
Bornstein initially specialized in workers’ compensation law, but shifted his focus to personal injury cases. To date, his firm says, it has represented over 25,000 clients with injuries or disabilities and recovered over $500 million in damages and benefits.
The practice has advertised extensively over the years, often with television spots featuring Robert Vaughn, the Oscar-nominated actor and 1960s television star. Vaughn, who died in 2016, urged Mainers suing over personal injuries to “tell them you mean business” by calling Bornstein. The ads ran for more than 15 years.
For the past 10 years, the message “CALL JOE” has flashed over Portland from the iconic sign atop the 14-story Time & Temperature Building. In addition to marketing itself with the lighted three-sided display, Bornstein’s firm has donated the sign’s use to support over 300 local organizations and charities.
Bornstein grew up in Portland and attended the city’s public schools. He then studied electrical engineering at Northeastern University in Boston, but earned a law degree from Suffolk University Law School and was admitted to practice in Massachusetts and Maine.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah Bornstein, and his three children and their families.
Donations in Bornstein’s memory may be made to the Cromwell Center for Disabilities Awareness, 97A Exchange St., No. 205, Portland, ME 04101, or to the Jewish Community Alliance, 1342 Congress St., Portland, ME 04102.
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments