When Ryan Morse ’26 arrived at Maine Law, he had a clear plan: “It was important for me to practice in Maine,” he said. “I wasn’t going anywhere else.”
At the time, his interests were firmly rooted in trust taxation and transactional work. But like many law students, Morse discovered that the path through law school can take unexpected and rewarding turns.
That shift began during his second year. After enrolling in a bankruptcy course, Morse found himself drawn to a new area of law. “I realized I really liked it,” he says. “I understand it and how it flows.” That moment of clarity set him on a new trajectory, one that blends his early interest in financial systems with a growing appreciation for the dynamic nature of bankruptcy practice.
Morse’s academic experience soon translated into hands-on learning. He completed an externship with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maine, an opportunity that deepened his understanding of the field and confirmed his career direction. After graduation, he will return to the court as a clerk before joining Portland-based firm Murray, Plumb & Murray.
His interest in the “nitty gritty of financials” predates law school. Before enrolling at Maine Law, Morse worked as a disability claims specialist at Unum Group and later at R.M. Davis. It was there that he began to see how legal frameworks shape financial decision-making and realized he wanted to be part of that process.
“I always knew I was going into graduate studies,” he says. “It was either an MBA or a JD.” Ultimately, exposure to legal work in a professional setting made the decision clear.
Morse also charted his own course through law school. He began as a flex-time student, balancing work and coursework, but remained determined to graduate with his class. Through careful planning, including summer courses and becoming a full-time student, he made that goal a reality. “There are a bunch of different ways to make law school work,” he says. “I endeavored to make that happen.”
Along the way, his understanding of legal practice evolved. “I came in as a fully transactional student, and that has changed,” he says. Bankruptcy law, he explains, occupies a unique space between transactional and litigation work. “It’s dynamic, and I’m attracted to that.”
Morse credits Maine Law’s close-knit community with helping him refine his interests and build meaningful professional connections. “Part of what Maine Law offers that is different is its size,” he continued. “The bar and the school are small. There is more interest in mentoring people and keeping them in Maine.” For Morse, that meant access to mentors in a niche field and a willingness among practitioners to support his growth. “At Maine Law, you just have to ask, and you will receive.”
One of the most formative experiences of his time at Maine Law was participating in the inaugural semester of the Business & Law Clinic. There, Morse worked directly with clients, gaining insight into the human side of transactional law. “I assumed that because we were doing transactional work, the emotional connection would be lower,” he says. “I was immediately shown that this is very personal and emotional to these clients.”
That realization reshaped how he approaches legal work. “Clients have their own ideas and their own goals,” he said. “It’s about understanding them and helping get them where they need to be.”
Reflecting on the clinic’s broader impact, Morse sees significant potential for Maine’s business community. He hopes to see continued growth and awareness of the resource it provides, particularly for small businesses navigating complex challenges. “It’s a real boon,” he added, “both for students and for communities across the state.”
