Image of the Maine State Capital building, Augusta, Maine.  Banner image for Soltan Bass LLC

who we are

We bring about change that protects our clients’ interests.

Charles Soltan, Esquire

Attorney Charles Soltan, Soltan Bass LLC, Augusta, Maine.Charlie is the Managing Member of Soltan Bass, LLC formed in 2014. Previously he was a solo practitioner from late 2002 to 2014, and formerly a partner in the law firm of Verrill & Dana, LLP, having been the lead attorney for its legislative practice as well as manager of its Augusta office. He is a 1980 graduate of Indiana University, taught high school social studies in Maine at Skowhegan Area High School from 1980 through 1984, and received his law degree magna cum laude in 1987 from Vermont Law School, now the Vermont Law & Graduate School.

Charlie has served over 30 years as a Director of Legal Services for the Elderly, Inc., has been appointed by multiple Governors to the Maine Children’s Trust, and current member of the Legislative Task Force of the Justice Action Group, a group of private attorneys and members of the Judicial and Legislative branches dedicated to increasing access to justice for all Mainers.

In January 2013, he was awarded the Maine Bar Foundation’s prestigious honor, the Howard H. Dana, Jr. Award, and in 2022, was co-recipient of the Maine Bar Association’s  John W. Ballou Distinguished Service Award for his work in expanding access to justice for all Mainers. Since 2003, he has been an active member of the Maine Fire Protection Services Commission, having been appointed by multiple Governors to represent the insurance industry on the Commission.

Outside of work, Charlie and his spouse love to learn, experience and participate together, and with family and friends, in the adventures of life’s journey.

James Bass, Esquire

Attorney James Bass, Soltan Bass LLC, Augusta, Maine.James Bass was born in Belfast and raised in Portland. He graduated magna cum laude from Bowdoin College in 2002 and earned his law degree from the University of Maine School of Law in 2006.

James joined the U.S. Army upon graduation from law school and practiced law as a Judge Advocate in the JAG Corps for nearly six years. He was stationed at Fort Sill, OK and Washington, DC. In 2011, he deployed to Afghanistan as a legal advisor with a joint special operations task force. He is a recipient of both the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.

After leaving active duty, James joined the Maine Army National Guard where he currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

James engages in an active government relations practice, working with state and local decision makers to create solutions on his clients’ behalf. He has a broad array of Legislative and Executive branch lobbying experience as well as representing clients before Maine’s administrative agencies. He advocates for Fortune 100 companies, national and state trade associations, and private businesses located in Maine and across the country. James has a common sense and pragmatic approach to problem-solving and is effective at building coalitions and stakeholder groups.

James co-founded Cushnoc Brewing Co. in 2017 and State Lunch in 2020. Both restaurants are located in Augusta, Maine and both have helped reinvigorate the city’s downtown.

Active in the community, James serves as the President of both the Kennebec Valley YMCA Board of Directors and the Augusta Board of Trade. He is also a member of the Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals and a member of the Capitol Planning Commission.

James is married and his wife, Ami, is a social worker in the Augusta area. They have two young sons and look back fondly on those times when they both slept through the night.