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Updated: November 16, 2020 From the Editor

Maine’s legal profession faces new trials

By William Hall

Legal cases like the one over the May killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis have spurred heated discussion about race in America. But there’s also growing attention to race from the professionals handling the cases.

Nationwide, individuals of color are vastly underrepresented among lawyers and law students. Only 5% of attorneys are Black, although more than 13% of Americans are. And the disproportion is even greater in Maine, the country’s second-whitest state, after Vermont.

In our issue devoted to law, Senior Writer Renee Cordes looks at the imbalance, how the legal profession is trying to change it, and why. See our cover story, “Diverse lawyers matter,” on Page 12.

Maine business and philanthropic leaders are also working to combat racial inequity throughout the state. With $270,000 in initial donations, the Maine Justice Foundation has launched a program supporting efforts to stamp out systemic racism and build equality in the legal system and elsewhere.

A half dozen Maine law firms have signed onto the effort. See “Fundamental change,” by Senior Writer Laurie Schreiber, on Page 18.

Besides legal challenges like these, the COVID-19 pandemic has played havoc with dockets in Maine. Jury trials were shut down in March, and while courts have tried to adapt, thousands of criminal cases have been backlogged. Lower-priority civil trials won’t get their day in court any time soon.

In “The jury is out,” Senior Writer Maureen Milliken examines how Maine attorneys are responding, and what solutions may be possible. Maureen’s story starts on Page 22.

This issue’s “On the Record” interview is with Joan Fortin, CEO of Portland-based law firm Bernstein Shur. See Page 24.

Our list of Maine’s largest law firms is on Page 26.

Note: Mainebiz Editor Peter Van Allen is taking a short break, but will be back soon.

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