Professor David P. Cluchey’s article, “The Financial Crisis and the Response of the United States: Will Dodd-Frank Protect Us from the Next Crisis?” in “The Financial Crisis of 2008: French and American Responses,” edited by Prof. Rogoff, came out in fall 2011. As of January 2012, this article had been downloaded 302 times from SSRN. Here is the SSRN link: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1831661
Professor Lois Lupica recently published a groundbreaking national study on the Costs of the Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BABCA). To read more about the study, click on: http://www.mainelaw.maine.edu/news/2011_lupica_bapcpa.html. The actual study is available at http://www.abiworld.org/Fee_Study/CFSFinalReport_Final_Dec7.pdf.
Professor Deirdre Smith was on the planning committee for the 2d Annual Access to Justice Symposium, which took place on January 27 and 28. The theme of the Symposium was ‘Changing Maine: Serving the Needs of Maine’s Growing Aging and Immigrant Populations’. The Symposium was sponsored by the University of Maine School of Law, the Maine State Bar Association, the Maine Bar Foundation, and the Justice Action Group.
Professor Charles Norchi convened a Maritime Piracy Roundtable with contributors to his forthcoming book, Maritime Piracy: Problems, Strategies, Law, for the annual Maritime Labor Convention Meeting of the International Labor Organization (ILO) on December 13 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Professor Martin Rogoff was the editor of the recently published volume, “The Financial Crisis of 2008: French and American Responses,” which contained an article he wrote entitled, “Fifty Years of Constitutional Evolution in France: The 2008 Amendments and Beyond.” The volume, which contained the Proceedings of the 2010 Franco-American Legal Seminar, was published jointly by the University of Maine School of Law and La Faculte de Droit, des Sciences Economiques et de Gestion de l’Universite du Maine, with the participation of La Faculte de Droit et de Science Politique de l’Universite de Rennes.
Cheryl with her husband Dick
Meet Cheryl.
She moved to Maine in 1996 after growing up in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. She lives in Litchfield with her husband, Richard, and beagle, Jesse. They enjoy all four seasons of activities associated with having a home on the lake. She has two stepchildren and a grown son, as well as four grandchildren. Her leisure time outside of law school is usually spent with family activities. She also enjoy reading and quilting.
She worked as a litigation paralegal for 25 years. She then became the Executive Director of the Maine Board of Bar Examiners and held that position between 2001 and 2009. The next logical step in her career was law school.
Why did you choose to attend the University of Maine School of Law?
I chose U. Maine Law primarily because it is the only law school in Maine, and leaving Maine to attend school was not an option for me.
Please list any extracurricular activities – whether on campus or within the community – that you are currently involved in.
During law school, I have served as a member of the Maine Law Conduct Committee for three years. I also served as the school’s ABA Representative during my 2L year, and was appointed the ABA Law Student Division First Circuit Lt. Governor of Non-Traditional Students.
I volunteered as a clerk for Judge John Beliveau in Lewiston District Court for a short time. I also did an externship at the Maine Human Rights Commission during my 2L year, and am currently doing an externship with the Attorney General’s Office Child Protective Unit.
I serve as a founding incorporator of Friends of Kennebec County, a non-profit organization that supports the organic garden maintained by prisoners at the Kennebec County Jail, with the crops distributed to food banks within Kennebec County.
I am also an active member of the Litchfield Community Christian Church, and an active participant in a Shorthand Penpal Club.
What has been your best experience at the University of Maine School of Law thus far?
My best law school experience so far was the externship I performed at the Maine Human Rights Commission. This opportunity allowed me to investigate and mediate claims of discrimination, and I had the opportunity to actively participate in preparing a discrimination case for trial and participate in a settlement conference in Cumberland Superior Court.
Another rewarding experience I had was coordinating the Family Fun Day held this past October co-sponsored by the Maine Law SBA and the ABA Law Student Division. This event offered law students with families to bring their children and spend the day on the Shorthill farm with their families for fun, food and games. We were fortunate to obtain funding from the ABA in order to hire a strolling magician to attend the event who provided lots of fun for all who attended.
How do you balance your family life with the demands of law school?
My family has been extremely supportive of my decision to attend law school and very understanding on those occasions when I have had to miss family events. My husband has been great at helping out with cooking and cleaning around the house, and has been my biggest cheerleader throughout law school.
If you had to describe the Maine Law community to a prospective student, what would you say and why?
The Maine Law community is both friendly and diverse. Despite being considerably older than most of my classmates, I have made lasting friendships. There has always been a sense of “We’re all in this together,” that is comforting. Classmates often help others and work together to complete assignments and study for exams. The diversity of both the student body and the faculty offers something for everyone. There are numerous student groups available in just about any interest area (and if there isn’t one, you can start one). In addition, Maine Law alumni and members of the Maine bar are extremely supportive of Maine Law students and often spend time mentoring and participating in programs such as Mock Interview Day and Legal Practice Day designed to help with the transition from student to lawyer.
Opportunities abound throughout a student’s law school career to participate in worthwhile courses and activities that enhance the law school experience including law review, clinic, clerkships, externships, trial team, etc. – the list goes on and on. There is truly something for everyone at Maine Law.
Did someone say extension?
Great news! The Admissions deadline has been extended to April 15th.
With this extended time, we encourage you to visit the law school, take a tour, and observe a class. For more information on the new admissions deadline, status of your application, or like to schedule a visit to the Law School, please email Destiny Cook at dcook@usm.maine.edu.
Liz Carnes '13
Meet Liz.
She grew up in Gardiner Maine and spent most of her time working on a horse farm. Her parents still live in Gardiner and her brother, a recent graduate of Maine Law, lives in D.C. She lives here in Portland with her fiancé. When there is time, she enjoys getting together with friends over a good beer. She also enjoys hiking and camping especially in Baxter State Park or Grafton Notch.
Where did you work this past summer?
This past summer I worked at Pine Tree Legal Assistance in their basic unit in the Portland office. I received funding for this position through the Maine Association for Public Interest Law (MAPIL) fellowship program.
How did you find the position (on-campus interviewing, CSO posting, newspaper, personal connection, etc.)? How was the interview process?
My brother’s wife had interned for Pine Tree her 1L summer and could not say enough good things about the people and the work so I got it in my head that I really wanted to work there too. I contacted one of the supervising attorneys at Pine Tree and set up a time to chat with them over the phone. From there, I sent them my resume and they invited me for an interview. The interview process was fine, pretty easy going as far as interviews go.
Please describe the nature of your work (your assignments, type of research, facilities where you worked. . .).
I worked with the basic unit which means that I got to help out with anything that came in the door. The basic unit deals mostly with housing issues, and so I got to help people who were being threatened with eviction. I went to eviction court twice a week. There I would do intakes (getting a client’s information), look over leases and notice to see if there were any technical defenses, and sometimes negotiate with the other side for our clients.
I also worked on a research project concerning debt collection practices in Small Claims court. As part of that effort I also helped edit the client educational materials for people going through the debt collection process.
What was the highlight of your summer position?
The best part about Pine Tree is definitely the people you get to work with every day. Aside from that, it was a great experience to go to court so much and help with negotiations. One last highlight was having the opportunity to help a woman get her social security benefits back after they had been wrongfully terminated.
What would be your word of advice for future applicants?
If you are thinking about applying to Pine Tree, you should. It is hard work, and it can be hectic, but you will get a great hands-on experience. I would also strongly suggest that any students who have public interest internships this summer apply for a MAPIL fellowship. This is a great program that helps fund public interest opportunities for students here at the law school.
Admissions Fellow Note: Liz is also an editor for the Ocean and Coastal Law Journal and MAPIL co-chair.
2012 Maine Law Review Symposium
The Maine Law Review in consultation with the Maine Supreme Judicial Court will present a symposium – Balancing Fairness with Finality: An Examination of Post-Conviction Review in Maine and Across the Nation. Admission fee is $25 and space is limited. Attorneys seeking CLE credit will receive 1.0 Ethics credits per session and 2.75 general credits.
Speakers include:
- Honorable Lynn Adelman
- US District Court, Wisconsin
- Sarah Churchill
- President, Maine Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Christopher Johnson
- Professor, University of New Hampshire School of Law
- Mary Tate
- Director, Institute for Actual Innocence,
University of Richmond School of Law - William Schneider
- Maine Attorney General
- Yolanda Vasquez
- Professor, University of Pennsylvania Law School
Topics include:
- Habeas for the 21st Century
- Mitigating evidence for juveniles in adult court
- Post-conviction DNA evidence under Maine Law
- International perspective on post-conviction system and comparison to other countries
- Viability of monitoring capital post-conviction counsel
- Can state and federal governments save money by compensating post-convictions review counsel
- Value and legitimacy of post-conviction review
- Immigration consequences of a plea
To register, please go to http://www.mainelawalum.org/s/184/index.aspx?sid=184&gid=1&pgid=456&cid=1068&ecid=1068&crid=0&calpgid=13&calcid=676.
Saad Khan '14
Meet Saad.
He moved to Portland from Houston, Texas. He’s originally from Pakistan but spent some time in India before he moved to Texas in 4th grade. Before attending Maine Law, he completed his BBA in Finance from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2009. During and after high school, he began working with his brothers in his family business; they own a chain of cell phone stores with locations throughout the United States. He also has a passion for sports and luxury cars and started a used car business with his best friend.
After completing his undergrad, he focused completely on running and being a part of their business, but he realized that he wanted to continue his education; law school was the best option for him to pursue a career.
With the first semester behind you, how would you describe your 1L experience so far?
First semester of the 1L has been very interesting. The workload is as hard as described but the professors and upperclassmen set the expectations early on. Law school is a completely new experience for me. I have met a lot of interesting people and made some really good friends. I am not sure about other law schools but Maine Law is a really friendly and helpful law school. Everyone is eager to help and the laid back atmosphere is welcoming. I thought adjusting to law school would be difficult but so far I have learned that if you work hard you can accomplish whatever goals you set for yourself.
From last semester, what course(s) did you enjoy the most?
Each class has its own pros and cons so selecting one may be difficult. I think Torts and Contracts were enjoyable because the subject matter was easy for me to relate to and the classes covered materials that would be interesting to non-lawyers as well.
Socratic Method: how would you describe it?
I never experienced the Socratic Method before and I am still adjusting to it. The Method is enriching and a completely different take in learning new ideas. Being wrong is not a problem but being part of the discussion makes the subject easier to comprehend. The best subject I felt that the Socratic Method worked in was Property, where I felt that I came out of class learning substantially more than when I went in. Credit goes to Professor Schindler — she taught a very difficult subject in a way that was easily understandable.
How has your adjustment been to life as a Maine Law Student?
When moving to Portland from Houston I felt that the city would be a different setting; I am glad that I was wrong. Portland is a vibrant and diverse city that fits the taste of everyone. The city and surrounding area is really beautiful and the people here are the friendliest people I have ever met.
That being said, law school requires a lot of time and effort. It is really important to prioritize and manage your time for efficiency and effectiveness. The workload was intense throughout the first semester and should be the same this semester as well. Good study habits are a must. I cannot say that I managed by time in the best possible way, but I have a better idea going into the spring semester of what to expect from the classes and set my goals accordingly.
What are your goals for your remaining time here at Maine Law?
I am still deciding on the areas of law that I would like to pursue study at Maine Law. With my business background I am looking into Tax and Corporate law, but I am also interest in IP and Privacy law. Maine Law has excellent courses in all these subjects.
What would be your one piece of advice for students thinking about applying to law school?
Find the law school that best fits your needs.
Admissions Fellow Note: I [virtually] met Saad when I contacted him as the co-chair of the Multicultural Association at Maine Law (MAML). I’m happy to witness his seamless transition from Houston to Portland. With his welcoming and warm personality, he is a great addition to the Maine Law community.