Are you pursing a law degree? The TopSchoolsintheUSA.com has generated the latest ranking of best law schools in Maine that provides Master of Legal Studies (MLS), Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR), Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), or Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD). You can use the following list to pick a school that fits your needs. These law schools in Maine are ranked based on the student reviews, alumni surveys, assessment of peer institutions, and official data reported by each law college. In addition, we also provide average LSAT scores, GPA and acceptance rates for each of these law schools in Maine.
Top ABA-Approved Law Schools in Maine
| National Ranking | Best Law Programs |
| 124 | University of Maine (Portland, ME) Acceptance rate: 48.0% LSAT scores (25th-75th percentile): 153-158 GPA (25th-75th percentile): 3.16-3.57 Tuition & Fees: In-state, full-time: $22,986 per year, Out-of-state, full-time: $33,906 per year Enrollment (full-time): 270 Graduates known to be employed nine months after graduation: 80.5%
|
All Law Schools in Maine
Maine, with its unique geographical and cultural identity, is home to a single accredited law school: the University of Maine School of Law. Known for its strong emphasis on public service, environmental law, and access to justice, this law school offers students an intimate learning environment with close faculty-student relationships.
1. University of Maine School of Law
Overview
The University of Maine School of Law, located in Portland, Maine, is the only law school in the state. Established in 1962, the school is known for its commitment to public interest law and its deep ties to the Maine legal community. Maine Law offers a comprehensive legal education with a strong focus on hands-on learning through clinics, externships, and public service projects. The law school’s small class sizes foster a close-knit learning environment where students receive individualized attention and mentorship from faculty members.
Maine Law is also recognized for its focus on environmental law and policy, given the state’s unique natural resources and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The school places a strong emphasis on preparing graduates to work in the public sector, legal aid, and private practice, particularly in small and mid-sized firms.
Degree Programs
Maine Law offers several degree programs designed to meet the diverse needs of its student body:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.): A three-year program that provides students with a solid foundation in legal theory and practical skills. The J.D. program includes courses in various areas of law, including business law, environmental law, criminal law, and constitutional law.
- J.D. Curriculum Specializations: Students can choose electives that focus on specific areas such as Environmental Law, Business Law, Criminal Law, Family Law, and Public Interest Law.
- Master of Laws (LL.M.): A one-year program designed for foreign-trained lawyers who wish to gain expertise in U.S. law or for U.S.-trained attorneys seeking specialized legal training. This program is ideal for attorneys who want to focus on specific areas of law, such as environmental law, intellectual property law, or human rights law.
- Dual Degree Programs:
- J.D./M.P.P.M. (Master of Policy, Planning, and Management): Offered in collaboration with the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine, this dual-degree program prepares students for leadership roles in public service, government, or non-profit management.
- Certificate Programs:
- Certificate in Environmental and Oceans Law: For students who want to focus on environmental issues, marine law, and policy, Maine Law offers a certificate program that emphasizes legal and policy challenges related to natural resource management, conservation, and marine industries.
Specializations and Focus Areas
The University of Maine School of Law allows students to specialize in key areas of law through elective courses, clinical programs, and externships:
- Environmental Law: Given Maine’s natural beauty and environmental challenges, the school offers courses and opportunities to specialize in environmental law, ocean and coastal law, and climate change law. Students can work on cases involving resource conservation, environmental regulation, and sustainable development.
- Public Interest Law: Maine Law has a strong commitment to public service and offers several opportunities for students to gain experience in public interest law. The school offers scholarships, internships, and externships that focus on legal aid, human rights law, and social justice issues.
- Business and Commercial Law: Students interested in corporate law can choose electives that focus on business transactions, contract law, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the University of Maine School of Law is competitive, and the school looks for applicants with strong academic records, leadership potential, and a commitment to public service. The admissions process is holistic, taking into consideration not just LSAT scores and GPAs, but also personal statements, letters of recommendation, and work experience.
- Average LSAT: 152
- Average GPA: 3.36
Additional factors considered in the admissions process include:
- Personal Statement: Applicants must submit a personal statement explaining their motivation for pursuing a legal education, their career goals, and why they believe Maine Law is the right fit for them. The personal statement should also reflect the applicant’s commitment to public service or specific legal interests.
- Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are typically required, with a preference for academic references. Professional references are also acceptable, particularly for applicants with significant work experience.
- Resume: Applicants should submit a resume that highlights their work experience, leadership roles, community service, internships, and other relevant extracurricular activities.
- Optional Diversity Statement: Applicants are encouraged to submit an optional diversity statement if they feel their background, experiences, or perspectives would contribute to the diversity of the law school community.
Starting Salaries
Graduates of the University of Maine School of Law have strong job prospects, particularly in New England. Many graduates find employment in small and mid-sized law firms, public interest organizations, and government agencies. The law school’s emphasis on practical skills and experiential learning ensures that graduates are well-prepared for the legal workforce.
- Median starting salary (private sector): $70,000
- Median starting salary (public sector): $50,000
Experiential Learning Opportunities at Maine Law
Maine Law places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, ensuring that students are well-prepared for real-world legal practice. The law school offers a variety of clinical programs, externships, and public interest opportunities that allow students to gain hands-on experience in various areas of law.
Clinical Programs
The clinical programs at Maine Law provide students with the opportunity to work on real cases under the supervision of experienced attorneys. These clinics allow students to develop practical legal skills while serving the community. Some of the key clinical programs include:
- General Practice Clinic: In this clinic, students represent clients in a variety of legal matters, including family law, landlord-tenant disputes, criminal defense, and civil litigation. Students are responsible for all aspects of their cases, including client interviews, legal research, drafting pleadings, and representing clients in court.
- Refugee and Human Rights Clinic: This clinic focuses on immigration law and refugee advocacy. Students work on cases involving asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants, helping them navigate the U.S. immigration system and advocating for their rights.
- Prisoner Assistance Clinic: Students in this clinic provide legal assistance to incarcerated individuals, focusing on issues such as post-conviction relief, civil rights, and access to justice. The clinic is part of the school’s commitment to public service and justice reform.
- Environmental and Oceans Law Clinic: Given Maine’s environmental focus, this clinic allows students to work on environmental law issues, including ocean and coastal law, natural resource management, and environmental litigation.
Externship Opportunities
Maine Law offers an extensive externship program that allows students to gain practical experience in a variety of legal settings. Externships are available with government agencies, non-profit organizations, law firms, and judicial chambers. Some popular externship placements include:
- Judicial Externships: Students can extern with federal and state judges, gaining insight into the judicial decision-making process and courtroom procedures.
- Government Externships: Students have the opportunity to extern with state and federal agencies, including the Maine Attorney General’s Office, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
- Public Interest Externships: Maine Law students can also extern with legal aid organizations, public defender’s offices, and other non-profit organizations focused on providing legal services to underserved populations.
Public Service Opportunities
Maine Law is deeply committed to public service and encourages students to participate in pro bono work and community service. The law school’s Pro Bono Program requires students to complete at least 50 hours of pro bono legal work before graduation, although many students exceed this requirement.
Public service opportunities include:
- Pro Bono Legal Services: Students can volunteer with local legal aid organizations, helping low-income individuals with legal matters such as housing, family law, and domestic violence.
- Public Interest Fellowships: Maine Law offers fellowships for students interested in pursuing public interest work during the summer. These fellowships provide financial support for students working with non-profit organizations, government agencies, or legal aid offices.
Bar Passage Rates
The University of Maine School of Law has a strong track record of preparing students for the bar exam. The school offers bar preparation courses and resources to ensure that students are ready to succeed on the exam.
- Bar Passage Rate: Approximately 85% of Maine Law graduates pass the bar exam on their first attempt, with many choosing to take the Maine Bar Exam or bar exams in other New England states.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Maine Law offers affordable tuition rates compared to many other law schools, making it an attractive option for students seeking a high-quality legal education without incurring excessive debt. Additionally, the law school offers merit-based scholarships, need-based financial aid, and loan programs to help students finance their education.
- In-state tuition: Approximately $23,000 per year
- Out-of-state tuition: Approximately $34,000 per year
Scholarships and Financial Aid
- Merit-Based Scholarships: Maine Law offers a variety of merit-based scholarships to incoming students based on their academic performance, LSAT scores, and leadership potential.
- Need-Based Aid: Students with demonstrated financial need can apply for need-based grants and loans to help cover the cost of tuition and living expenses.
- Public Interest Scholarships: The law school offers scholarships specifically for students pursuing careers in public interest law, including legal aid, government service, and non-profit work.
Career Services and Job Placement
Maine Law’s Career Services Office provides students with the resources and support needed to secure internships, externships, and post-graduation employment. Services include career counseling, resume reviews, mock interviews, and job fairs. The office also helps students connect with potential employers through networking events and on-campus recruitment programs.
- Employment Rate: Approximately 90% of Maine Law graduates are employed within ten months of graduation. Many find positions in small to mid-sized law firms, government agencies, and public interest organizations.