This week the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) designated the University of Maine School of Law as a Tier One law school in the area of information privacy law. This designation recognizes the breadth and depth of Maine Law’s privacy offerings.
This research project by the IAPP is the first of its kind, and was initiated in an effort to better understand how privacy is taught at American Bar Association-accredited law schools in the U.S. For the study, the IAPP tiered schools according to their curriculum offerings in privacy law. The project included 203 law schools, and Maine Law was one of only a few schools to be ranked in the top tier.
“This designation reflects our school’s strong commitment to the study of information privacy law and to helping students acquire the practical skills and knowledge needed in this area to become successful practitioners and future leaders in this growing field,” said Interim Dean Dmitry Bam. “We hope to continue to build on that commitment in the coming years and expand the program.”
“Maine Law’s innovation and national leadership in privacy law is another example of why our state’s only law school is a strategic asset,” said Dannel P. Malloy, chancellor of the University of Maine System. “I want to congratulate the faculty, staff, and stakeholders who have helped Maine Law become one of only a few law schools in the country to earn top tier recognition from the International Association of Privacy Professionals.”
Maine Law has long been an academic leader in offering a curriculum focused on Information Privacy Law. The program recognizes the multidisciplinary nature of privacy law and also the importance of providing real world, practical work experience opportunities for our students.
Highlights of the program include:
- The Law School is one of only three law schools in the country to offer a J.D. Certificate in Information Privacy Law.
- Since 2006, the Law School has offered a course in information privacy law.
- Information Privacy Law Courses are taught by experts in the field like Trevor Hughes ‘95, president and CEO of the IAPP, and Peter Guffin, partner and chair of the Privacy and Data Security practice at Pierce Atwood LLP and co-director of the Information Privacy Law Program at Maine Law.
- For ten years the Law School’s annual Information Privacy Summer Institute has attracted law students and lawyers alike for intensive privacy law courses with experts from across the U.S. and the world.
Law students have opportunities to develop practical skills through group studies, practicums, externships, internships, and jobs. Externship opportunities include working at global Fortune 500 companies, leading self-regulatory organizations, major medical research centers, and privacy trade and advocacy groups. - The Law School has a Privacy Law Fellowship in which a first year student with a strong interest in privacy law is offered a paid summer internship with the IAPP in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
- The Maine Law Information Privacy Association (MLIPA) is a student group which brings speakers and programming on current topics and trends in information privacy law to the Law School.
- Maine Law alumni are leaders in the global privacy arena. Graduates are working in key privacy positions at major global companies, including Apple, Facebook, Starbucks, EY, Deloitte, OneTrust, Unum, Idexx, and Naspers, as well as in local and national law firms and the government.
“Given the fast pace of technological innovation and the increasing centrality and importance of personal data in the global economy, all lawyers need to know how to handle privacy and cybersecurity issues,” said Professor Jennifer Wriggins, co-director of the Information Privacy Law Program. “Maine Law’s program gives them the essential tools to do just that. “
