At Whalley Law Offices, we understand that for most of you, this may be your first interaction with an attorney and our legal system. Very seldom does the need for our services come at a moment when you plan for it. Accordingly, we make every effort to ensure you are comfortable with both our attorney-client relationship and the matter we are handling for you. Every client is unique, as are his or her needs. We make every effort to tailor our representation to your unique circumstances.

Without a doubt, our most valuable asset is our people. Effective use of talented, trained and highly skilled office staff allows for the provision of quality service at an economical price. A lawyer's stock in trade is his or her time. The dedicated efforts of Deborah and LeeAnne allow Chris to minimize the time (and, thus, the fee) spent on many cases. The very nature of litigation and legal representation often makes it impossible to predict what our overall fee may be for a particular matter. Rest assured that, to the greatest extent possible, we will provide our best estimate for services and costs in your particular matter. Should circumstances change this estimate, we will promptly discuss this change with you. Part of properly representing a client is balancing the potential costs of a matter with the potential benefit (and likelihood) of a favorable outcome. In short, we are committed to speaking plainly when it comes to recommending a course of action, including the cost to our clients.

To the greatest extent possible, we offer flat fee alternatives to our clients. Please click on the respective areas of practice listed on our home page for details on flat fees. Where it is simply not possible to accurately forecast a flat fee, our hourly rates for services will govern your cost. Attorney time is billed at $140.00 per hour. Paralegal and Legal Assistant time is billed at $70.00 per hour. Again, effectively using skilled office staff can result in significant savings to our clients. All these details of our attorney-client relationship are set forth plainly in our fee agreement that we execute with every new client. After all, good business makes good friends.

Most of all, be comfortable with your attorney-client relationship. It is a very special one. It is always our privilege to assist a client, no matter what the matter. Despite the often adverse circumstances that may surround your particular case, you should enjoy your relationship with your attorney and his or her staff. Just as with personal relationships, there's an attorney out there that's right for you. Make sure you find him or her. Needless to say, we do hope you find your perfect match with our office.

OUR PEOPLE

The Whalley Law Office Team: LeeAnne, Chris and Deb

Christopher J. Whalley, Esq.

Born and raised in Brewster, New York, Chris completed his freshman year at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana. After helping the Fighting Irish celebrate their 1977 National Championship, he moved on to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, earning his Bachelor of Science in 1982. His first assignment was as a member of the commissioning crew of USS Klakring (FFG 42), built at Bath Iron Works. After this 4-year tour and qualifying as a Surface Warfare Officer, Chris reported as Surface Warfare Department Head at the Fleet & Mine Warfare Training Center, Charleston, South Carolina. Here, he earned his Master of Science in Administration through Central Michigan University’s military campus program in 1988.

After six years of active duty, Chris returned to school full time, earning his Juris Doctor from Western New England College School of Law in 1991. He was admitted to the Maine State and Federal Bars in September, 1991. Chris was associated with Blaisdell & Blaisdell in Ellsworth from 1991 until he opened his own practice in June, 1994. His professional affiliations include his charter membership in the John Waldo Ballou Chapter of the American Inns of Court in Bangor.

Chris has kept close to his Navy roots as a drilling reservist. Since leaving active duty, he served aboard USS Valdez (FF 1096) at Newport, Rhode Island, with the Supervisor of Shipbuilding at Bath, Maine and, most recently, with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Twenty-Seven at Brunswick. Maine. After his promotion to Commander in April, 1998, he reported to Naval Reserve Center, Bangor as Commanding Officer, NR VTU 0102. In June 2005, Chris was transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve.

Junior Partner George reviews LeeAnne's latest effort (at Whalley Law Offices, when we say the dog ate our homework, we mean it!)

The Whalley family includes wife Deborah and their four children: Maureen (19); Michael (13); Patrick (10); and Brian (7). Chris and his family are active members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and a number of local community and nonprofit projects, including: Friends of Union River; Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce; Cub Scout Pack 86; Boy Scout Troop 86; and the Ellsworth Harbor Commission. He has served as a Pack 86 Cub Scout Den Leader since 1999.

Chris is a member of: the Maine State Bar Association (Public Affairs Committee); Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Naval Reserve Association; Fleet Reserve Association; and U.S. Naval Institute. He also serves as a U. S. Naval Academy Information Officer (informally known as "Blue and Gold" officers), where he provides a point of contact for area students desiring appointment to the U. S. Naval Academy. He is also a member of Senator Olympia Snowe’s Service Academy Selection Board, responsible for Senator Snowe’s annual selection of nominees to the four service academies. Chris has served as a volunteer member of the Board of Trustees for Maine Coast Memorial Hospital since his election in September 1999. He has also volunteered as a member of the Board of Directors for the Hancock County Child Development Services since 1998.

Deborah Glennie Whalley

A native of Alpena, Michigan, Deb is a 1981 graduate of Central Michigan University where she received her B.S. in Anthropology and Geology. After graduation, Deb was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Her tours of duty were all performed in the Washington, DC area at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She was responsible for curriculum development and instruction for the Army's engineering school programs. Specializing in cartography, Deb's final tour was as Executive Officer, Headquarters Company, 30th Engineer Battalion. She concluded her active duty in 1984 and relocated to Charleston, South Carolina.

In case you hadn't figured it out by now, it was during her active duty at Fort Belvoir that Deb met Chris. Upon relocating to Charleston, South Carolina, Deb pursued graduate education and obtained her certification as a Paralegal. She specialized in the areas of probate, real estate and collections law. Deb joined the Law Firm of Robert DeMarco in Charleston from 1984 until the Whalleys left Charleston in 1988. Relocating to Springfield, Massachusetts, Deb joined the Law Firm of Egan, Flanagan & Cohen in their Probate and Tax Department from 1988 to 1991.

Deb took a break from her paralegal career to raise the four Whalley children. Not one to stand idle, she established "Debbie's Daycare" in 1992. She operated this licensed day care facility from 1992 until 2001. As Brian began full time school, Deb elected to return to her professional roots, joining Chris in his office practice. She utilizes her formidable paralegal skills in case management across the full spectrum of our general practice, with continued specialization in probate matters.

When not keeping Chris in line at the office, Deb pursues her true passions (next to the family, of course!) of quilting and gardening. She is a member of the Island Quilters Guild. Deb also volunteers with Maine Coast Memorial Hospital on fundraising committees and in the emergency department. She also volunteers as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Guardian Ad Litem in the Maine District Court, serving as a Guardian and advocate for children involved in child protective proceedings.

Married in 1983 to Chris, they are the proud parents of Maureen (19), Michael (13), Patrick (10) and Brian (7). The Whalleys reside in Ellsworth and are members of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church community.

LeeAnne K. Spoon

LeeAnne is an Ellsworth area native and 1997 graduate of our very own Ellsworth High School. She has enjoyed a varied career in the Ellsworth business community, most recently managing a local real estate office. LeeAnne brings her extensive customer service background, coupled with her superb organizational skills, to provide effective case management and ensure the office runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis. Her focus is on real estate transactional matters, although she manages a caseload across the complete spectrum of this busy, general practice.

LeeAnne and her husband, Ron, reside in Ellsworth with their two wonderful children, Caleb (7) and Sarah (2). Of course, the home would not be complete without the menagerie of pets that find their way to the Spoons' front door. In addition to both her full-time jobs (mother and legal assistant), LeeAnne is active in the local community, serving as a cub scout den leader for Ellsworth Cub Scout Pack 86.