The University of Maine School of Law, Maine’s only law school, is proud to announce the renaming of its Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic to the Clinics at Maine Law. This change reflects over 50 years of dedicated service to Maine’s most vulnerable communities and the evolving needs of Maine people that our law students serve across the state.
Since the creation of the Clinics in 1970, they have played a vital role in addressing acute community needs and promoting access to justice. Over the past 50 years, the Clinics have expanded available services to support clients in counties throughout Maine and beyond. Most recently, it expanded its reach as far as Fort Kent with the foundation of its Rural Practice Clinic in 2023.
“The new name, ‘Clinics at Maine Law,’ better reflects the breadth of our law students’ work and our commitment to serving Maine’s diverse communities,” said Maine Law’s President and Dean Leigh Saufley. “We are proud to educate the next generation of legal professionals while meeting critical needs in areas involving, among others, youth justice, domestic violence, rural practice, prisoner assistance, immigration, and family law.”
In 2024 alone, the Clinics at Maine Law assisted over 440 clients in 12 of Maine’s 16 counties. More than 14,000 hours of legal services were provided to those who could not afford an attorney. In addition to providing legal assistance throughout the state, the Clinics are integral in educating the next generation of litigation and public interest lawyers. In 2024 alone, 55 Maine Law students enrolled in clinic courses designed to provide client-centered and trauma-informed representation to Maine communities.
It is clear that the work of the Clinics at Maine Law has long stretched beyond the confines of Cumberland County. This renaming is a significant step in reflecting the mission and values as the Clinics continue to adapt to the needs of the state.
