The University of Maine School of Law experienced its most competitive application cycle in over a decade, a milestone that reflects both strong demand for legal education in Maine and the school’s growing national reach.
This fall, 105 students have joined the Class of 2028, ranging in age from 21 to 48, with an average age of 27. The class has strong geographic diversity with representation from 22 different U.S. states, including Washington, Florida, Texas, Alaska, and Alabama. Sixty percent of the incoming class is from Maine, with 22 students from University of Maine System undergraduate programs and 36 from other Maine undergraduate institutions. The cohort also brings strong academic credentials, with a median LSAT score of 158 and a median undergraduate GPA of 3.7. Notably, 20 percent are the first in their families to attend college.
Leigh Saufley, Dean and President of Maine Law said: “These students will add to the talent, drive, and variety of perspectives that enrich our classrooms and, ultimately, the legal profession. Maine faces complex legal challenges, from the need for new criminal law practitioners and rural access to justice, to economic development. I am proud to say that Maine Law students and graduates are poised to make a lasting impact here at home, across the country, and internationally.”
While Maine Law’s total enrollment is the largest in over 20 years, Maine Law remains one of the smallest law schools in the country, offering an intimate, student-focused learning environment. This close-knit community fosters meaningful mentorship, personalized guidance, and hands-on opportunities that prepare students to thrive both during law school and in their future careers.
This class arrives at a time of strong outcomes for Maine Law graduates. The Class of 2024 achieved an 89 percent first-time bar passage rate and an impressive employment rate 10 months after graduation, with 84 percent already working in long-term, full-time positions that require bar passage or offer a JD advantage. Graduates are serving in diverse roles across the legal field — from law firms and judicial clerkships to government, public interest, and business — advancing the school’s mission to prepare lawyers who are ready to lead, serve, and promote justice in Maine and beyond.
