Hallowell, ME – Corporations and philanthropic leaders across Maine have joined forces to raise $270,000 to combat racial injustice and inequity throughout the state through the Racial Justice Fund of the Maine Justice Foundation. These corporate FOUNDERS and civic leaders are as follows: AARP Maine, Androscoggin Bank, AT&T, Baker Newman Noyes, Bangor Savings Bank, Bernstein…Read More
Maine Justice Foundation Recognizes the Champions of Access to Justice
The Board of the Maine Justice Foundation is pleased to honor three outstanding Maine lawyers who are champions of civil legal aid: Jamie Kilbreth of Drummond Woodsum, Prof. Anna Welch of the University of Maine School of Law, and Daniel Keenan of McCloskey, Mina, Cunniff & Frawley. Board President Bill Harwood recognized their efforts to…Read More
Access to Justice in Light of Recent Violence Against Black Americans – Statement of the Maine Justice Foundation
Every person in America must have access to the justice system and equal protection under the law. This is not a principle to be conditioned on race, gender, gender identification, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, financial condition or religion. We cannot faithfully profess this belief while standing silent and still in the face of so many…Read More
Maine Justice Foundation Announces New Executive Director
“After a national search, the Board of the Maine Justice Foundation has unanimously and enthusiastically selected Michelle Giard Draeger to serve as our new executive director,” announced Foundation President William S. Harwood. “She has the skills and abilities essential to leading the Foundation into the future and advancing our mission of ensuring access to justice…Read More
Inaugural Grant from LGBTQ Justice Fund Awarded to Maine Equal Justice
The Maine Justice Foundation announced today that the inaugural grant from its LGBTQ Justice Fund has been awarded to Maine Equal Justice to fund a partnership with Maine TransNet, a group that advocates and supports Maine’s transgender community. Robyn Merrill, executive director of Maine Equal Justice, says “Research and our work in the community makes…Read More
Local Banks and Credit Unions Recognized for Their Support of Civil Legal Aid and “Justice for All”
Governor Janet T. Mills hosted a tea reception at the Blaine House on October 7th to officially acknowledge and express her appreciation to a group of Maine banks and credit unions that support legal aid for poor and vulnerable Mainers. William S. Harwood, president of the board of the Maine Justice Foundation, welcomed representatives from…Read More
SIS invests in Maine Justice Foundation
FROM SEACOASTONLINE.COM, 4/6/19 SANFORD — SIS Bank has become a Prime Partner in Maine’s “Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts” Program, an initiative that generates an ongoing source of funds to provide civil legal services for individuals and families who cannot afford it. “The Maine Justice Foundation welcomes SIS Bank as one of our Prime Partners,”…Read More
Maine Justice Foundation Welcomes Four New Board Members; Announces 2019 president and officers
The Board of the Maine Justice Foundation has elected Bill Harwood of Verrill Dana as President and elected four new Directors: Grady Burns, Jerroll Crouter, Thaddeus Day and Gerald F. Petruccelli. The Foundation, formerly the Maine Bar Foundation, is the state’s leading funder of civil legal aid for poor and vulnerable Mainers. Bill Harwood…Read More
Applications for Coffin Fellowships Open: Apply by October 12, 2018
The Coffin Family Law Fellowship provides legal representation in family law matters to clients who have qualified for pro bono assistance through the Volunteer Lawyers Project. Named after Frank M. Coffin, Senior Judge on the First Circuit Court of Appeals, the Project supports attorneys based in the Portland, Maine offices of Pine Tree Legal Assistance.…Read More
Attorneys Nan Heald and Stan Tupper honored by Maine Justice Foundation; Senator Angus King presents Howard H. Dana, Jr. Award and New Lawyer Award.
The Maine Justice Foundation, at a breakfast event on March 5th 2018, honored two Portland attorneys who exemplify the foundation’s mission to ensure that all Maine people have access to the justice system. …Read More