Future LLM StudentsLLM
University of Maine School of Law
246 Deering Avenue, Portland, ME 04102, USA
Phone: 207.780.4341 | Website: www.mainelaw.maine.edu
Introduction
Located in the vibrant and beautiful city of Portland, Maine, the University of Maine School of Law is a small school with regional impact and global reach. Students study in a supportive and personalized environment and are prepared for success in today's economy. The rigorous core curriculum is augmented by focus areas such as oceans and environmental law, public interest law, intellectual property, information privacy, international law, and business law. Offerings include the JD degree and a postprofessional LLM (Master of Laws) degree.
By design, Maine Law is one of the smallest law schools in the country. This fosters a close sense of community that is embraced by students, alumni, and faculty. It also gives Maine Law the flexibility to meet the demands of the rapidly changing legal profession.
The school emphasizes hands-on training through internships, externships, and varied clinical programs such as the Juvenile Justice Clinic, the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic, and the Intellectual Property Law Clinic.
Law School Enrollment
- Full-time JD: 252
- Part-time JD: 23
- Full-time LLM: 2
- Part-time LLM: 1
Physical Facilities
Maine Law is located in one of Portland's most unique and easily recognized structures. Surrounded by conventional two-story houses, the Law School tower is hard to miss in Portland's tree-lined Oakdale neighborhood.
Law students may use the fitness facilities just one block away on the campus of the University of Southern Maine in Portland. Sullivan Recreation and Fitness Complex is a multipurpose facility containing basketball courts; racquetball, squash, and wallyball courts; two fitness centers; and sauna facilities. Students may also participate in a multitude of classes offered by the Sullivan Complex including yoga, aerobics, and martial arts.
Garbrecht Law Library
The Garbrecht Law Library is considered a model of excellence for small schools. Located on the second and third floors of the Law School building, and in an addition that was built in 1993, the library includes more than 335,000 volumes. Students enjoy ample room for research and study groups.
Housing
Maine Law provides on-campus housing for students on the Gorham campus of the University of Southern Maine; however, most students opt to live in affordable, off-campus housing in the city of Portland. Portland is a small, livable, and diverse community that has several options for housing. The neighborhoods bordering the Law School offer many rental opportunities, while housing in Portland's downtown area provides a convenient and dynamic option for students. The Admissions Office maintains a list of housing options for Maine Law students.
LLM Program
The LLM program at Maine Law is primarily intended for international students and practitioners who have earned a law degree outside of the United States. Participants design a curriculum suited to their individual interests and choose from advanced courses in specialized areas of law. The program normally is completed in one academic year, but part-time study is available.
Academic Program
24 credits required- Begins in August, January, or May
- Full time or part time
The program requires completion of 24 semester hours of credit. All international students will be required to take a core course on the American legal system and at least one course in the first-year JD curriculum. Students wishing to sit for a state bar exam (e.g., Maine or New York) may complete the requirements through their course of study at Maine Law.
Outside of the two required classes, students can choose among upper-level courses and specialty areas. In two of those areas—Oceans Law and Global Information Privacy—students have the option of earning special certificates during their LLM year.
Specializations
- Certificate in Oceans Law: Professor Charles Norchi is recognized globally as an expert in oceans law, international law, and comparative law. Norchi manages comparative marine law projects with the Center for Maritime and Ocean Law at the University of Nantes, France; with the Hong Kong Centre for Maritime Law and Transport; and with the International Maritime Law Institute in Malta.
- Certificate in Global Information Privacy: Maine Law's Center for Law and Innovation houses one of the nation's top programs in data privacy law, including a summer institute focused on global information privacy and security. Maine Law graduates work in upper-level data privacy positions at Accenture, Yahoo!, Playdom, Ernst & Young, and other companies.
Application Information
- A signed LLM application
- $50 application fee
- Personal statement
- Curriculum vitae
- Official undergraduate, graduate, and law school transcripts
- 2 letters of recommendation
- CAS report
Applicants for the Maine Law LLM program must have obtained a terminal law degree. The degree should be the equivalent of the JD or LLB degree. Candidates for whom English is not a native language must also have attained an adequate score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or otherwise be able to demonstrate equivalent English language proficiency. For questions regarding these requirements, please contact the Maine Law Office of Admissions or the LLM Program Director.
Contact Information
For more information about the University of Maine School of Law's LLM program, please visit the Maine Law website, or contact:
Charles Norchi
Professor of Law; Director, Center for Oceans and Coastal Law; Director of LLM Program
University of Maine School of Law
246 Deering Avenue
Portland, ME 04102
USA
Phone: 207.228.8016
E-mail: charles.norchi@maine.edu
Student Services and Organizations
LLM students benefit from the full suite of Student Services offerings. The staff works with LLM students to help with the transition to living in Portland, Maine, and with the transition to studying law in the US. All students are encouraged to participate in the Academic Support Program and have the benefit of working one-on-one with an academic support Teaching Assistant. Students in the LLM Program receive academic and career advising.
The small size of Maine Law carries with it many great benefits. At Maine Law, students are part of an energetic, supportive, and diverse community. Student organizations host several events throughout the year, including lectures by legal experts from around the country. Maine Law students also enjoy the social and recreational offerings in the Portland area.
Portland Life
Maine Law is located in the vibrant coastal city of Portland, one of the most livable small cities in America. Portland is a hub for law, commerce, the arts, recreation, and sports. Boston is only 100 miles to the south, and Canada is easily accessible to the north and west.
Known for its high quality of life and safety, Portland consistently ranks high in national "best of" lists, including Forbes' list of the best places to find a job, and Travel and Leisure magazine's list of the top ten greenest cities in the US. With an exciting music and arts scene, three minor league sports teams, and a growing multicultural population, Portland is a gem of the East coast.
Portlanders embrace diversity, and traditions from many nations are reflected in the neighborhood shops, restaurants, and festivals. Portland is home to immigrant communities from Somalia, Sudan, Cambodia, Vietnam, and numerous other nations. Recent newcomers here include families from central African nations such as Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These communities have established halal markets and other businesses, adding to the unique character of Portland.
Career Services
At Maine Law, our Career Services Office assists students with a wide range of employment and career-related matters. Individual counseling sessions with the Career Services staff are encouraged for all LLM students. The Career Services Office operates as a central resource for full-time, part-time, short-term, and long-term employment opportunities. The office publishes a variety of materials, maintains an extensive resource library, and sponsors various activities, including on-campus recruitment programs, informational sessions, panel discussions, and workshops.