Board of Overseers of the Bar

RULE CHANGE: Effective May 1, 2019, Maine's Continuing Legal Education Rule, Maine Bar Rule 5, was comprehensively amended by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. Members of the bar are encouraged to review the amended rules as significant changes have been adopted. Of note, the annual registration and reporting of CLE credits have been bifurcated. The annual registration of attorneys will begin on July 1st as usual. Starting January 1, 2020, and each year thereafter, attorneys shall demonstrate CLE for the prior calendar year.

In order to transition from a fiscal year to a calendar year CLE reporting system, attorneys will report for calendar years 2018 (11 credits) and the 2019 CLE requirements (12) credits, for a total of 23 credits beginning January 1, 2020.

The Board and its Mission

The Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar was created by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court in 1978 to govern the conduct of lawyers as officers of the Court. The Board is an independent agency under the jurisdiction of the Court.

The mission of the Board of Overseers of the Bar is to encourage and promote competent and ethical practice by members of the Maine Bar, and to make these standards known to members of the public so that they have confidence in the legal profession in Maine. The Board accomplishes its mission on several fronts including attorney registration, continuing legal education requirements, ethical guidance, and attorney regulation. [Read more]

Ethics Helpline for Registered Maine Attorneys

The Board of Overseers of the Bar provides assistance to Maine attorneys through its "Ethics Helpline" on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. To speak with one of the Board's staff attorneys, call the Board's office at 207-623-1122. [Read more]

In Memoriam

The In Memoriam page is dedicated to honoring those members of the Maine Bar who have passed away in recent years. When available, links to full obituaries and news articles are also accessible. Click here to view the In Memoriam page.

Court News

Announcements and News Releases for the Maine Supreme Judicial Court

Upcoming CLE Presentations by Bar Counsel

Date Session Title Organization Location Speaker
8/26/2019 Best Practices: Identification and Prevention of Harassment, Discrimination, and Bullying in the Legal Profession Worker's Comp Summit Samoset Resort, Rockport Aria Eee
9/18/2019 Practice Management and Preventing Harassment & Discrimination York Bar Association Ramada Inn, Saco Aria Eee
10/4/2019 Best Practices: Identification and Prevention of Harassment, Discrimination, and Bullying in the Legal Profession Maine Trial Lawyers Association Portland Aria Eee
11/13/2019 Ethics for Education Lawyers Kids Legal Capital Judicial Center, Augusta Aria Eee

Hearings & Notices

Date Time Respondent Location
8/28/2019 1:00 PM Suzanne Dwyer-Jones, Esq. Cumberland County Superior Court - Courtroom #4
8/28/2019 2:00 PM J. D. Hoffman, Esq. Cumberland County Superior Court - Courtroom #4
8/28/2019 3:00 PM Heidi M. Pushard, Esq. Cumberland County Superior Court - Courtroom #4
9/20/2019 9:00 AM Lawrence A. Lunn, Esq. Newport District Court

View complete hearing schedule

Recent Decisions & Orders

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Date Respondent Issued By Order Disposition/Conduct
8/15/2019 Seth T. Carey Law Court Decision Affirmed See December 20, 2018 Suspension
7/22/2019 Gary M. Prolman Single Justice Order See July 8, 2019 Sanctions Order
7/9/2019 Robert C. Robbins, IV Single Justice Receiver Discharge Order Receiver Discharge Order
7/8/2019 Gary M. Prolman, Esq. Single Justice Sanction Order See September 14, 2017 Findings, Conclusions & Order
6/19/2019 Joseph R. Sanchez Single Justice Suspension See June 10, 2019 Stipulated Report of Findings and Order

View all decisions