A former Verrill Dana lawyer pleaded guilty to criminal theft charges today at a Superior Court hearing in Portland.

John D. Duncan admitted to stealing about $109,000 from clients and $187,000 from the Portland-based law firm, beginning in 1997.

Assistant Attorney General Mike Colleran recommended that Duncan, 54, spend two and one-half years in prison, with an additional three and one-half years suspended. Colleran also recommended three years of probation after Duncan gets out of prison, and restitution of $287,000 to be paid to Verrill Dana. The firm has already reimbursed clients who had money stolen by Duncan.

Duncan’s lawyer, Toby Dilworth, told Justice Robert Crowley that sometime in the next three months Duncan also will plead guilty in federal court to tax-related charges. Crowley set a date of Sept. 10 for the state sentencing.

Duncan did not make any other statements on Tuesday, other than admitting his guilt and agreeing to the plea deal.

For 29 years, Duncan handled wills, estates and trusts at Verrill Dana, one of the state’s largest and most prestigious firms. He was a past member of the firm’s executive committee, and he was chair of the firm’s private clients' group before a secretary blew the whistle on his theft schemes.