Our Team
Aubrey Russell, Esq.
Aubrey Russell was born and raised in Minot, Maine. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maine - Orono with a Sociology degree that included a concentration in Crime, Law and Deviance. She went on to graduate cum laude from the University of Maine School of Law in Portland in 2007. While in law school, Aubrey was the Case Note/Comment Editor for the Ocean and Coastal Law Journal, served on the Conduct Committee, and was a Member of the Women's Law Association. She also completed the Pro Bono Legal Services Program and clerked for Judge John Beliveau at the Lewiston District Court.
Prior to starting her own law office, Aubrey practiced at a firm in Lewiston for eleven years and became a partner in the firm.
Aubrey concentrates her practice in landlord/tenant matters and family law. She provides fair housing training to Clients, appears before the Maine Human Rights Commission, and travels to District Courts all over Maine to represent her clients.
Aubrey assisted in establishing the Maine Alliance for Drug Treatment Courts, and was on their Board of Directors from 2008 to 2015. In November 2011, Aubrey was recognized for Excellence as one of New England's Outstanding Young Lawyers in Family Law. She has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Start every year from 2011 to 2015. She is also admitted to practice law in the States of New Hampshire and Vermont.
Aubrey lives in Minot with her family. She enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering in the community, coaching, camping, and watching her kids play sports.
Kristina Donovan, Esq.
Kristina grew up in upstate New York and Connecticut. She graduated from Fairfield University with a degree in politics and a minor in international relation, and then graduated from
Quinnipiac University School of Law. She married and moved to Maine where she has lived for the past 23 years.
Kristina joined our office in 2022 and focuses in the areas of family law and landlord-tenant matters. Kristina has twenty-two years of experience representing clients. Prior to joining our firm, she was practicing in the areas of child protective and family law. She also covered landlord-tenant cases for our office prior to joining us full time.
Kristina lives in Minot with her family. She enjoys spending time with her family, baking, volunteering in the schools, and gardening.
Melanie Portas, Esq.
Melanie Portas was born and raised in North Attleboro, Massachusetts and received her B.A. from the University of New Hampshire and her J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law. Upon graduation, her practice focused on criminal defense, child protective cases, and Guardian ad Litem work.
She was an Assistant District Attorney for Androscoggin County for over fourteen years, where she was responsible for the prosecution of juveniles in criminal matters ranging from misdemeanors to Class A felonies. She subsequently worked in a two highly regarded local law firms where she focused on parental rights and responsibilities, divorce, criminal defense, and landlord/ tenant matters.
Melanie has always been committed to the community. She was involved with the initiation of several collaboratives for the benefit and development of youth services including the Juvenile Justice Collaborative, Androscoggin Collaborative, Project Unite, and Restorative Justice Collaborative. She was awared the “Giving Voice” award from Tri-County Mental Health Services in 2015 in recognition of her long-standing work with youth and families.
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.
She resides in Cumberland County with her husband and two wonderful children. She spends her spare time outdoors or at her children’s many sporting events.
Crystal Chamberlain, Lead Paralegal
Crystal works primarily with Attorney Russell, and has done so for over thirteen years, and prior to that spent over twenty years in property management. She has a wide range of skills and information to assist our clients. Crystal will work directly with you to get you what you need. She is knowledgeable in our practice areas and assists in providing prompt service to our clients.
Tanice Rainey, Paralegal
Tanice has worked for our office for over two years as a paralegal. She currently works alongside Attorneys Donovan and Portas on landlord tenant and family law matters. She is available even when the attorneys may not be, ready to answer questions, forward messages, and make sure clients get what they need.
Natalie Brooks, Office Assistant
Natalie began working at our office in September of 2023. Although she is new to the legal profession, she has over 6 years of experience in healthcare management and several more years as administrative support in various capacities. Natalie is the face behind the financial aspects of the Law Office. She is currently in the office 3 days a week. When she is not in the office, Natalie is busy running a small business. She is eager to learn the ins and outs of being a paralegal so she can support the office in as many areas as possible.
Natalie resides in Mechanic Falls with her 3 daughters. She spends most of her free time outside, seeking adventure in one form or another.