Transactional Law - University of Maine School of Law

Lawyers play a pivotal role in a wide range of transactions and other matters distinct from litigation. A foundation in business law, negotiation skills, statutory analysis, and public policy is critical for lawyers engaged in both litigation and non-litigation practices alike, and in their civic leadership activity. Maine Law offers a rich mix of curricular and fieldwork opportunities in corporate law, tax, finance, nonprofits, economic development, commercial law, intellectual property, compliance, land use, bankruptcy, and more.

Maine as a Laboratory

Maine’s economy is characterized by small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and entrepreneurship. Our program of legal education reflects this culture and gives students the tools they need for rural or small-city practice, as well as grounding for representing larger corporate clients. Practicum seminars in tax, commercial law, business acquisitions and dispositions, and economic development focus on building transactional skills. The university’s emerging University of Maine Graduate and Professional Center holds promise for interdisciplinary clinical work in transactional law, and our Compliance Certificate Program facilitates ongoing collaboration with Maine-based enterprises.

Experiential Education

Community engagement opportunities for our students include externships in business and government, as well as summer fellowships to work in entrepreneurial and community development settings. Recent externships and fellowships have included:

Bride Family Foundation Entrepreneurial Fellowship
Economic Justice Fellowship
Externships at Bath Iron Works, Chicago Historical Museum, Cianbro Corporation, City of Portland Corporation Counsel, TD Bank N.A., Tilson Technology Management, The Internal Revenue Service, WEX, and more

Our Alumni

Our alumni are business and industry leaders, and include:

Thomas Brems ’17 – Owner, Victorieux Champagne
Yueying Wang LaFleur ’16 – Assistant Vice President and Legal Counsel, Unum
Hilary Rapkin ’93 – WEX Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary
Heather Sanborn ’07 – Co-Owner and Director of Business Operations, Rising Tide Brewing Company

Meet the People

Professor Christine Davik teaches courses in intellectual property, sale of goods, internet law, and contracts.

Professor of Practice Andrew Kaufman teaches courses in advanced business associations, advanced commercial law, compliance and risk management, and other transactional topics.

Maine Law Foundation Professor Lois Lupica teaches courses in commercial law, bankruptcy, secured transactions, and negotiation.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Jeffrey Maine teaches courses in individual, partnership, and corporate taxation, as well as tax practice (practicum) and taxation & intellectual property.

Professor and former Dean Peter Pitegoff teaches courses in business associations, nonprofit organizations, employee benefits, economic development law (practicum), and professional responsibility.

Associate Dean for Research Sarah Schindler teaches courses in property law, land use, local government, sustainable development, and real estate transactions.