Student Profiles

Name: Kevin Decker
Class of 2014
Hometown: Shapleigh, ME (live in Portland now)
Undergrad: Dartmouth College, class of 2008

"... I could get a high quality education from an excellent faculty in a close-knit community..."

Why did you choose to attend the University of Maine School of Law?

There are many factors that led me here, and it was a complicated decision. But I’ll try to boil it down to a few key reasons: quality, location, and money.  I spoke with quite a few current Maine Law students and recent graduates who had great things to say about their law school experience.  As I became more familiar with Maine Law, the more I realized that I could get a high quality education from an excellent faculty in a close-knit community (which has been the case).  I’m originally from Maine, and although I had left the state for school and to work in Boston for a few years, I knew I wanted to return to Maine and start my legal career in Portland.  I knew going to Maine Law would provide me the best access to Maine’s legal community, and I haven’t been disappointed on that point. And, finally, Maine Law by far made the most sense financially.

What has been most helpful to you in making the adjustment to the life of a Maine Law student?

I think a key element to staying sane as a law student is to retain a “real life” outside of school. I try leaving time open for friends and family, as well as things like running and watching football games. “Real life” becomes especially important during finals, to deal with the persistent and exhausting feeling that there is always something you should be doing to prepare for exams.

 Are you involved in extracurricular activities, either on or off campus? What are they?

I’m on the Maine Law Review.  That means that I spent a lot of time in the beginning of the semester cite-checking articles for the upcoming issue. Right now, I’m working on writing a comment for the law review about federalism and energy transmission.  Also, as part of the Academic Support Program, I am a teaching assistant for a first-year course called “Legislation & Administration,” which involves holding weekly group study sessions and office hours.

Portland has a reputation for its vast array of food options. Do you have any favorite restaurants or grocery stores?

That’s the toughest question you’ve asked me. If I was absolutely forced to pick a favorite restaurant, I’d have to say Local 188, but I’ve had many great dining experiences in Portland at other restaurants.  If I’m looking for something less formal, I like to go to Silly’s or Duckfact, or grab a slab from Micucci’s or a slice at Otto.  And I start everyday with coffee from Coffee by Design.

What are some things that have surprised you about living in Portland?

I’m surprised by the fact that I’ve lived here for almost two and a half years, and even though Portland is a relatively small city, there are still many parts of it that I haven’t explored. I’m also always surprised at the number of people who come out for the Art Walk every first Friday of the month, even in the winter. And I was pleasantly surprised when, this past summer, the city was able to attract the attention of Mumford & Sons, who performed on the Eastern Prom overlooking Casco Bay, a few hundred yards from my apartment – that was pretty amazing.

For someone who is considering attending Maine Law, how would you describe the student community here?

I’d describe the students here as very supportive.  The community is small as far as law schools go, which means both that you have a chance to get to know your classmates and that students tend to cooperate and help each other rather than engage in unhealthy competition.

Name: Ali Tozier
Class of 2015
Hometown: Falmouth, Maine
Undergrad: Williams College

"...the student community here is one of the best parts about Maine Law."

Why did you choose to attend the University of Maine School of Law?

I came to University Maine School of Law because of the location, the high quality of education, and the small student body. The professors are top-notch and I find the students to be intelligent, engaging and kind. Having a class of less than 100 means that we all get to know each other well; since law school can be stressful, having a tight community is incredibly valuable.

What has been most helpful to you in making the adjustment to the life of a Maine Law student?

The friendly nature of both the professors and the students.

Are you involved in extracurricular activities, either on or off campus? What are they?

Yes. I am a co-chair of the Women’s Law Association. I am a member of the International Law Society and helped organize the International Law Weekend in New York City recently. I do two work-study jobs during the week, am starting to mentor a high school student and I also try to make time for yoga.

Portland has a reputation for its vast array of food options. Do you have any favorite restaurants or grocery stores?

Yes! Restaurant: Duck Fat; Grocery Store: Trader Joes

Although you are originally from Maine, you’ve been away for some time. What are some things that have surprised you about living in Portland?

Growing up in Falmouth, I actually didn’t go into Portland that often. Now I feel like I have discovered a whole new world! I have lived in Los Angeles, Boston and London, each for at least a year, and I have also spent a significant amount of time in DC and NYC, but still I find Portland to be incredible. It has the culture, music and coffee shop scene that I Iove about cities. However, I find its small size and cozy feel make it more manageable than other, more expansive places I’ve lived. It is hard to be lost here. Portland has a beautiful and creative energy about it and living here makes me feel a part of something.

As a 1L, how would you describe your experience thus far?

Well, I find it hard to describe. It is unlike anything I have ever experienced before. I was told it would be overwhelming and that 1Ls sometimes would have breakdowns… but now I really get what people meant. It is hard to manage your time as a 1L. I had a fairly demanding undergrad experience, but this is harder than that! Knowing you will be cold-called during class means you can’t just skim your readings. It has been a great lesson in time management. All that said, I still really love it. I feel engaged with the world again and I appreciate how much my professors expect from me. I find the material fascinating (something I was anxious about before starting school) and I also really like my peers. We are all experiencing the same stress and are helping each other through it. I definitely made the right decision to come here.

For someone who is considering attending Maine Law, how would you describe the student community here?

I would say the student community here is one of the best parts about Maine Law. Isn’t there some assumption that law students are supposed to be ultra competitive with each other or something? Well, that’s not what you’ll find here.

The idea of tearing someone else down to get ahead doesn’t seem to exist: at least, I haven’t noticed it here. Instead, I find my peers to be helpful, nice and just plain remarkable people! We are quick to share notes, grab coffee, and support each other in any way. I am always greeted with kind smiles when I walk into class and that makes a big difference to my day. I’m also glad I’m not going to be in as much debt as some of the other students out there, which is an important consideration for anyone applying to law school. All in all, Maine Law is a fun place to learn and I’m grateful for the friendships, professors and the opportunities I have here.

Name: Ben Birney
Class of 2013
Hometown: North Yarmouth, ME
Undergrad: Williams College

"What sets Maine Law apart for me is the quality of the academic community."

I want to base my legal career in Maine if possible, and, at any rate, want to spend as much time here as possible while getting my law degree. Portland is a beautiful, safe, and clean, it’s well worth the effort (and the winter!) to establish myself in the Maine legal community. I can think of no better place to raise child.

What has been most helpful to you in making the adjustment to the life of a Maine Law student?

The relationships I built with fellow law students in my first year were absolutely essential to making the adjustment and doing well.  In my first year at Maine Law, everybody shared in an intense, difficult, but incredibly rewarding experience.  Drawing support, companionship, and intellectual challenge from my fellow students was a cornerstone of my first year experience, and has continued to serve me well. The best advice I can give to a new first-year student is to treat your classmates well and be ready to learn from them.

Aside from this, succeeding in my first year at Maine Law required three other things: Discipline, focus, and commitment.  Discipline, because there were many times when the work was long and hard, and finding time to do it around the rest of life was a serious challenge.  Focus, because the work required it, and because life is distracting.  Commitment, because it would have been easier—but much less satisfying—to have done the minimum and just gotten by.  To get the most out of Maine Law, I had to invest heavily in these things.  Because I made that investment, I am very happy with my Maine Law experience.

Are you involved in extracurricular activities, either on or off campus? What are they?

I served as vice president of the Maine Law Student Bar Association and as vice president of the International Law Society. I am also the Managing Editor of Maine Law Review, a legal writing teaching assistant, and, outside of Maine Law, a part-time software developer.

What are some things that have surprised you about living in Portland?

Although it has many of the best characteristics of larger cities, Portland also has wonderful open, green spaces to enjoy and explore.  I have loved walking, running, and bicycling on and in the city’s many parks, pathways, and even forests.  It is also easy to access open and beautiful rural land very close to the city.

What has been your best experience at the University of Maine School of Law?

Preparing for exams during my first year, both in the fall and spring semesters, was an outstanding experience. I say this because I witnessed and took part in a very high degree of cooperation and peer support among my classmates. Exams are stressful and difficult, particularly in law school. What impressed me about the experience was how well people came together, supported each other, helped each other learn and study, and forced themselves and their peers to rise to the challenge. Rarely have I seen so many people so dedicated both to their own success and the success of the people around them.

For someone who is considering attending Maine Law, how would you describe the student community here?

What sets Maine Law apart for me is the quality of the academic community. My classmates, as a group and as individuals, possess a remarkable combination of intelligence, camaraderie, and competitiveness, all balanced with a remarkably compassionate human touch. We are all living through an amazing and expanding time in our lives, and the community of students and faculty is incredibly positive. Students support each other when they don’t have to; when it would be easier to just let the other person go it alone; when it’s not convenient. Yes, we compete, and compete hard; but we also cooperate and help each other. To me, that sets Maine Law apart from a great many other law schools, from whose students I hear just the opposite story.

Name: Debbie Alamrew
Class of 2015
Hometown: London, England
Undergrad: University of North Texas

"...the sense of community is strong, and feeling part of the community has made the adjustment easy."

Why did you choose to attend the University of Maine School of Law?

I have always been passionate about public service, specifically human rights. I made the decision to attend law school so I could attain the knowledge and skills to make a difference in this area. From my experience, people are too often unaware of their rights, and as a result lose their voice in the process. In researching law schools I was drawn to the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic here at Maine Law. I immediately knew this was something I would become involved with as it provides first hand experience to advocate on behalf of clients. I was also attracted to the small size of the school; I already feel so comfortable here and have established relationships that mean a lot to me in the space of just a few months. I know that over the next three years I will grow a great deal as a person, and I am incredibly happy that I chose Maine Law as the site for this valuable journey.

What has been most helpful to you in making the adjustment to the life of a Maine Law student?

Everyone here at Maine Law has made this transition as smooth and easy as it could possibly be. Moving from Texas to Maine to attend law school was exceptionally daunting, but the faculty, staff, and students have made the experience truly enjoyable. From the first day it was evident that everyone here wants to see you succeed and will do whatever they can to help you do so. Being such a small school, the sense of community is strong, and feeling part of the community has made the adjustment easy.

Are you involved in extracurricular activities, either on or off campus? What are they?

Yes I am. I joined the Maine Association for Public Interest Law (MAPIL) because it speaks directly to my interests. One of the goals of the organization is to provide diverse legal opportunities for students. Although I have only been here for a few months, it is one organization I look forward to becoming involved in. I am also a member of the Multicultural Association at Maine Law (MAML) which seeks to promote diversity within the legal profession in Maine. Although I definitely understand the importance of balancing school with extracurricular activities, I did not want to spread myself too thin, so for now, MAPIL and MAML, together with my 1L schedule, are keeping me on my toes.

Portland has a reputation for its vast array of food options. Do you have any favorite restaurants or grocery stores?

Portland has many amazing restaurants and since I have only been here for a few months I am still discovering them all! I am a seafood lover and I definitely came to the right place for that. The lobster at DiMillo’s is incredible, but of course being back on a student’s budget you won’t find me there every weekend. Benkay has good sushi, which is my favorite food, but I still have a lot more exploring to do.

Debbie, you went to college in Texas. What are some things that have surprised you about living in Portland?

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Texas. Portland is, however, distinctly different from Dallas, and I love the differences. Portland is small, yet so full of such fascinating activities. There is a great art scene, a distinct culture, and the architecture truly lends itself to the historic atmosphere of this city. The scenery is absolutely stunning, and as fall approaches I am continuously captivated by the beauty. I think what most surprises me about living in Portland is how much I really do love it here.

As a 1L, how would you describe your experience thus far?

Exciting, interesting, and challenging! Every day presents a new challenge, with many lessons to be learned. I am meeting people with very different backgrounds, and it is interesting to draw from one another’s experiences, and to learn that with our different stories we all seek and strive for the same goal.

For someone who is considering attending Maine Law, how would you describe the student community here?

Absolutely incredible! Everyone is really welcoming and supportive, and as I said before, everyone just wants to see you succeed. The atmosphere in my 1L classroom is not a cut-throat one as seen in many law schools. Our class is competitive and that challenges us all to push ourselves in a positive manner. There is a great sense of camaraderie among us of all, and that is a distinguishable characteristic of Maine Law.

Name: Amy K. Olfene
Class of 2014
Hometown: Minot, Maine
Undergraduate Institution: University of Southern Maine, summa cum laude

"...the school really tries to encourage students to engage in a holistic educational experience."

Why did you choose to attend the University of Maine School of Law?
During my career prior to law school, I had the opportunity to work with a number of talented advocates, many of whom are attorneys. Their knowledge and skills, in a large way, were drawn from their law school education and legal practice. I had always considered going to law school, but it was the desire to be a stronger, well-rounded advocate that finally prompted me to apply to the University of Maine School of Law.
Moreover, while I wouldn’t trade my experiences prior to law school for anything, I have never regretted my decision to improve my education. Whenever someone asks me about law school, I can’t help but respond, “It was the best decision I ever made for myself.” The skills I have acquired, the opportunities I’ve been provided, and the amazing friends I have made make attending Maine Law one of the most fulfilling and rewarding experiences of my life.