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Our Team
Aubrey Russell, Founder & Managing Attorney
Aubrey Russell is the founder and managing attorney of the Law Office of Aubrey Russell. A lifelong resident of Minot, Maine, she is recognized as one of Maine's leading attorneys in landlord-tenant and housing law, representing housing authorities, property management companies, landlords, and related businesses through the State of Maine.
Aubrey graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maine Orono with a degree in Sociology and a concentration in Crime, Law, and Deviance. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Maine School of Law in 2007. During law school, she served as the Case Note/Comment Editor for the Ocean and Coastal Law Journal, was a member of the Conduct Committee and Women's Law Association, completed the Pro Bono Legal Services Program, and clerked for the Honorable Judge John Beliveau at the Lewiston District Court.
Before founding her own firm, Aubrey practiced for eleven years with a respected Lewiston law firm, where she became a pratner. She established the Law Office of Aubrey Russell to provide practical, responsible legal representation tailored to the needs of landlords, property managers, businesses, and families throughout Maine.
Today, Aubrey concentrates her practice on landlord-tenant law, fair housing compliance, and all aspects of property management law. She serves as legal counsel to the large housing authorities and several of the state's largest property management companies. Her practice includes eviction litigation, lease enforcement, fair housing compliance, reasonable accommodation issues, subsidized housing regulations, policy development, administrative proceedings before the Maine Human Rights Commission, and representation in all Maine's District Courts.
In addition to representing clients, Aubrey is a sought-after speaker and education, providing legal training throughout Maine on fair housing, landlord-tenant law, property management, and legislative updates. She is known for delivering practical guidance that helps housing providers reduce risk while remaining compliant with constantly evolving laws and regulations.
Aubrey has a long history of community involvement. She helped establish the Maine Alliance for Drug Treatment Courts and served on its Board of Directors from 2008 to 2015. She was recognized as one of New England's Outstanding Young Lawyers in Family Law and was selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star each year from 2011 to 2015. Her office routinely gives back to the community through initiatives such as the Backpack Program, a food bank in their entry way in 2025, supporting local high school sports teams and Project Grad, and giveaways to support the less fortunate in the community.
Outside of the office, Aubrey enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering in her community, coaching youth sports, camping, hiking, and supporting her children's athletic activities.
Kristina Donovan, Esq.
Kristina Donovan brings more than twenty-two years of legal experience to the Law Office of Aubrey Russell. She focuses her practice on family law and landlord-tenant matters. Originally from upstate New York and Connecticut, Kristina earned her bachelor's degree in politics, with a minor in International Relations, from Fairfield University before obtaining her Juris Doctor from Quinnipiac University School of Law. She has proudly called Maine home for over twenty-five years.
Before joining our office in 2022, Kristina built her career representing clients in child protective and family law matters. She also worked closely with our firm for several years, handling landlord-tenant cases before becoming a full-time member of our legal team. Her broad experience and practical approach allow her to guide clients through their legal matters with compassion, professionalism, and effective advocacy.
Kristina is committed to providing thoughtful legal counsel and personalized representation, helping clients navigate challenging situations with confidence, while working toward practical, effective solutions.
Outside the office, Kristina enjoys spending time with her family, baking, gardening, and volunteering. She lives in Minot with her family and is proud to be an active member of the community.
Melanie Portas, Esq.
Melanie Portas brings decades of experience in family law, landlord-tenant law, criminal law, and juvenile matters to the Law Office of Aubrey Russell. Originally from Attleboro, Massachusetts, Melanie earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Hampshire and her Juris Doctor from the University of Maine School of Law.
Following law school, Melanie began her legal career representing clients in criminal defense and child protective matters, as well as doing Guardian ad Litem work.
She was an Assistant District Attorney for Androscoggin County for more than fourteen years, prosecuting juvenile criminal cases ranging from misdemeanors to Class A felonies. After her time with the District Attorney's Office, she joined two respected Maine law firms where she concentrated her practice in family law, landlord-tenant matters, and criminal defense.
Throughout her career, Melanie has been deeply committed to serving Maine's communities. She helped establish several collaborative initiatives dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families, including the Juvenile Justice Collaborative, Androscoggin Collaborative, Project Unite, and Restorative Justice Collaborative. In recognition of her longstanding dedication to youth and families, she received the “Giving Voice” award from Tri-County Mental Health Services in 2015.
Melanie is admitted to the Maine Bar and is a member of the Androscoggin County Bar and Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She is a rostered Guardian ad Litem.
When she is not practicing law, Melanie enjoys spending time outdoors and cheering on her two children at their many sporting events.
Crystal Chamberlain, Lead Paralegal
Crystal is an integral part of our legal team, working primarily with Attorney Russell and our valued property management clients. With over ten years of paralegal experience and over twenty years of property management experience, Crystal brings a depth of knowledge and dedication that helps ensure our clients receive efficient, reliable, and results-driven support.
A trusted resource. Crystal is known for her thoroughness, attention to detail, and commitment to client service. She works closely with our landlords and property management clients to keep matters moving forward.
We are proud to have Crystal on our team - her experience, dedication, and professionalism make a positive impact every day.
Ivory Cavers, Office Manager
Ivory is often the first point of contact for clients, providing a welcoming and professional experience whether you call or visit our office. As Office Manager, she oversees our accounts payable and accounts receivable processes while serving as the primary point of contact for our corporate and LLC clients. Her organization, attention to detail and commitment to exceptional client service help ensure our office operates efficiently and our clients receive timely, responsible support.
Outside of the office, Ivory enjoys spending time with her husband and their three sons. You'll often find her cheering them on at the hockey rink or the baseball field.