Maine Law has one of the top rated privacy law programs in the country.
The privacy field has exploded with opportunity. Around the world, in virtually every industry, protecting personal information has become a vital concern. Consequently, the need for qualified, highly trained attorneys with a heightened knowledge of privacy and data law has never been greater. Recent developments in cybersecurity, AI, and other areas of digital regulation have only increased the need for privacy and data lawyers.
At the University of Maine School of Law, students pursuing our Certificate in Information Privacy Law develop skills, experience, and professional connections in this highly sought-after niche of the legal realm.
Privacy isn’t dead – it’s hiring.
Certificate in Information Privacy Law
Maine Law is one of a few law schools in the country offering a dedicated Certificate in Information Privacy Law. Students develop valuable legal skills and benefit from a unique partnership with the IAPP.
Course offerings
Maine Law offers over a dozen privacy-related courses. From survey courses like Information Privacy Law to more tailored seminars like Emerging AI Legal Issues, students will graduate with an advanced understanding of privacy law and related topics. A few popular classes are listed below.
Information Privacy Law – 3 credits
Information privacy is one of today’s critical legal subjects. The rapid pace of technology development has raised far-reaching questions about the future of privacy. The role of law is central to answering many of these questions. In the past few decades, many new laws have been passed, hundreds of cases have been decided, and fascinating new issues have arisen. This class is designed to provide you with an introduction to the study of information privacy law and to equip you with the broad issue-spotting and other practical skills needed to navigate the complex array of legal, business, and public policy issues in this area. Students in this class will be eligible to take the Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) exam following completion of the course.
Information Privacy Law must be taken on a graded basis to receive the Certificate.
Cybersecurity Law – 3 credits
This course provides an introduction to cyber security law, with a focus on the nuts and bolts of how to plan for and deal with cyber incidents. It is designed to teach the student the basic skills needed to be able to assess an organization’s incident response readiness, to assist organizations with incident response planning and execution, and to deal with the technical and legal issues that typically come up during an incident as it is unfolding, as well as its aftermath, including data breach notification, regulatory investigations and enforcement and litigation. Actual case studies will be used. Several faculty members of USM’s Maine Cyber Security Cluster have collaborated with the Law School in designing this course and will participate in teaching this course. We will cover some of the key technology fundamentals that lawyers need to understand to be able to work effectively with cyber technical experts to assess privacy and cyber security risks and to analyze the legal implications arising from cyber incidents.
Internet Law – 2 credits
This course provides a broad survey of the numerous issues arising from the rapid growth of the Internet and other online communications. We will explore whether the application of existing legal rules to new technologies is appropriate or if completely novel approaches are necessary when dealing with problems that arise in cyberspace. Topics to be examined include jurisdiction, the domain name system, regulation of online service providers and digital content creators, freedom of speech, as well as privacy.
Emerging Issues in AI – 2 Credits
This course will survey the most common legal issues attorneys face due to the growth of AI in consumer and commercial products and services. It will start with a foundational introduction to AI (and in particular generative AI), touch upon a variety of legal areas (copyright, privacy, cybersecurity, discrimination, professional responsibility, supply-chain risk management, and others), and finish with a look at current efforts to regulate AI developers and deployers in the EU and the US. Students will be expected to put what they learn into practice through a series of exercises designed to enhance learning through doing.
Privacy Law Faculty
Maine Law has a distinguished roster of full-time, adjunct, and visiting professors teaching privacy law and related topics. The school also has an impressive record of nationally known professors and practitioners instructing courses for the Information Privacy Summer Institute.
Adam Barea
Adjunct Professor, YouTube Legal Director
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litigation and risk mitigation as it pertains to third-party content
Information Privacy Summer Institute
Our annual Information Privacy Summer Institute offers a series of courses on critical and current topics taught by top experts in the field. Existing attorneys can earn CLE credit or venture into a growing and dynamic new practice area; current J.D. candidates can develop a valuable specialty while still in school.
Alumni
Maine Law has an extensive alumni network in the fields of privacy law. It includes the President & CEO of the IAPP, partners at global law firms, in-house counsel at major companies, consultants at various agencies, attorneys working in government, and more. Hear what just a few of our alumni from the privacy program have to say about their experience at Maine Law.
Gabrielle
Schwartz ’23
AI Governance Research Lead, IAPP
“My time at Maine Law has provided me with robust skills and experiences, directly impacting my career trajectory. The various courses and experiential opportunities have set me up for success, along with a fabulous network of privacy leaders and specialists. .“
Cheryl Saniuk-Heinig ’21
Analyst, IAPP
“By fostering connections and equipping graduates with critical skills, Maine Law’s Privacy Program has a renowned reputation. Combining the advantages of a small law school with a far-reaching impact, our robust alumni network includes practitioners at the center of privacy, AI, and cybersecurity on the global stage.”
Eric Benson ’18
Cyber-risk Counsel, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group, McDonald Hopkins
“I am proud to be a part of Maine Law’s expansive and diverse privacy alumni network. My time at Maine Law involved hands-on clinical experience that prepared me to excel as an attorney representing organizations navigating cybersecurity and privacy crises.”
Student Life
Academics is only one part of the law school experience. With a rich offering of organizations, Maine Law students have the opportunity to enhance their education and experience outside of the classroom. There are many options for students interested in supplementing their academic focus in privacy law.