Hallowell, Maine—The Board of the Maine Justice Foundation elected three new Directors at its meetings of September 11 and December 4, 2020.
The work of increasing access to justice only happens because of the dedication of attorneys and other Maine people who volunteer their time on nonprofit boards, on state commissions and as pro bono…
In its November 16 issue, MaineBiz interviews Executive Director Michelle Draeger and Advisory Committee members Marcelle Medford, Michael-Corey Hinton and Tim Dentry: “Racial justice fund seeks fundamental change to combat racial inequity.”…
Maine Voices: Racial Injustice is a Sad Reality and Maine Is No Exception
By Daniel E. Wathen and Leigh Ingalls Saufley – Special to the Portland Press Herald, September 10, 2020.
“We the people of Maine, in order to establish justice …”
Those are the first words of the preamble of the Maine Constitution. …
The Frank M. Coffin Family Law Fellowship provides legal representation in family law matters to clients who have qualified for pro bono assistance through the Volunteer Lawyers Project. Named after Frank M. Coffin, Senior Judge on the First Circuit Court of Appeals, the Project supports attorneys based in the Portland, Maine offices of Pine Tree …
The sudden loss of Juliet Holmes-Smith on August 14 was stunning and tragic. As an attorney at Pine Tree Legal Assistance and later the founding Executive Director of the Volunteer Lawyers Project, Juliet spent a career fighting for Maine’s vulnerable – especially for those escaping domestic abuse. Juliet possessed a perfect balance of fortitude and …
“After a national search, the Board of the Maine Justice Foundation has unanimously and enthusiastically selected Michelle Giard Draeger to serve as our new executive director,” announced Foundation President William S. Harwood. “She has the skills and abilities essential to leading the Foundation into the future and advancing our mission of ensuring access to justice …
The Maine Justice Foundation (MJF) has named its five founders as the organization’s first-ever Honorary Directors. According to MJF Foundation President William S. Harwood, “Our foundation was established under the name “Maine Bar Foundation” back in 1983, thanks to the vision and hard work of these esteemed advocates, and we are incredibly proud to have …
The University of Maine School of Law said it has received funding to continue the Rural Lawyer Project, launched in 2017 to improve access to justice in rural communities.
Danielle Conway initiated the program during her tenure as dean, in a three-year pilot with funding from
From the Portland Press Herald Editorial Board, 4/10/19:
The U.S. Constitution says every American has the right to legal counsel when the stakes are high.
In practice, however, the 80 percent of defendants who cannot afford an attorney are often left to navigate an adversarial …
The shortage of lawyers in rural Maine will be tackled next month at a symposium hosted by the University of Maine Law School, part of the school’s ongoing effort to address the issue.
The “Ensuring Equal Access to Justice in Maine’s Rural Communities Symposium” will include attorneys, judges, doctors …