Overview of our Grants, Funds and Programs

Established by Arnie Macdonald and Liza Moore for the Summer Intern Program of The Clinics at Maine Law (formerly the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic). Arnie and Liza created this fund in memory of James M. Roux (Maine Law '84), Liza's late ex-husband and Arnie’s friend. After graduating, Jim served in the US Army as Judge Advocate General with the 82nd Airborne Division. He returned to private practice and became a preeminent trial lawyer. In the last years of his practice, Jim shifted his focus to plaintiffs’ work, championing underdogs who could not otherwise be heard. He also developed an interest in the plight of the Nepalese Sherpa people after his treks to Mount Everest Base Camp and was headed to Southeast Asia when killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks. Jim was a dedicated lawyer and proud Mainer. Arnie and Liza also are inspired to honor the passion, commitment and engagement of Jim's son, Jamie. Arnie says, “We make this gift in Jim's memory but also out of our love and pride in his son. In their honor we want to help Maine's aspiring lawyers not only to have excellent technical skills but to keep a watchful eye on the underdogs, underprivileged and underserved, where the civil rights so important to our society may first start to erode.”

This fund supports the Foundation’s mission by supporting its operations.

Notable in Justice Dana’s career is his longstanding commitment to securing legal services for people in need. “I think basically every lawyer learns that their function is to make sure their clients get justice,” he said. “In our country, we have two lawyers, typically – one on either side of the case – and the problem is that there aren’t enough lawyers to represent the poor. This makes for an unfair battle and an unfair system of justice.”

This endowment supports the Foundation’s mission by supporting its operations. Mike Levey practiced law in Maine since 1974 1976. His commitment to justice made him a valuable advocate for the Maine Justice Foundation where he served on the Board of Directors and provided gifted leadership for the strategic planning of the Volunteer Lawyers Project. Mike and his wife created The Michael J. Levey and Michael S. Brown Fund, an endowment that will distribute funds each year to help defray the costs of the Foundation’s operations. This means more money will be available for direct support for those who cannot afford an attorney. “We created this fund to help the legal system, of which I am very proud to be a part, work for all Maine citizens, including those who are unable to pay for the help they need,” says Mike.

The Foundation manages this fund on behalf of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. It was created to honor the Honorable Sidney W. Wernick, who served as Associate Justice from 1970 to 1981 and in active retirement status until 1984. He passed away in 1995.
 

The Bar Fellows Endowment supports the mission and operations of the Maine Justice Foundation. The fund is supported by the generous gifts of Bar Fellows, Honorary Life Fellows and Patron Fellows. The Bar Fellows is an honorary organization of attorneys, judges, law, faculty and legal scholars who have been elected by their peers to become members. They have demonstrated outstanding achievements and dedication to the welfare of their communities and to the highest principles of the legal profession. 

The 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 Legal Assistance. Coffin Fellowship attorneys work for and are based at Pine Tree Legal Assistance’s Portland office for two years and cases are generally limited to Cumberland County. Stipends are competitive with public interest law salaries and a loan repayment assistance program is available for qualifying candidates.