Maine

As the northernmost state in New England, Maine is the US state with the northeastern most peak in the country, and sits in the First District Circuit of the United States. By land mass, it is the 39th smallest state in the US, and the 42nd state by population, with just over 1.3 million residents. Until the 1820s, Maine was a part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts until it seceded, becoming its own state. It was admitted as the 23rd state into the Union under the Missouri Compromise on March 15, 1820.  Maine is the easternmost state in the country, and the only state which borders only one other state, New Hampshire.

The state is known for agricultural outputs which include poultry, eggs, dairy, cattle, apples, and maple sugar and syrup. Commercial fishing is one of the largest economic-drivers for the state, which mainstays in lobstering and groundfishing. Aquifers and natural springs in the state are also responsible for the bottling of natural spring water which is sold in the US and internationally. Tourism and outdoor recreation are also two key components which drive Maine’s economy. Additionally, with nearly 230 miles of coastline, Maine is known for fishing, trade, importing and exports within the US and with international markets.

The government of Maine is broken into three co-equal branches, the executive, legislative and judicial branches.  Additionally, the Maine Constitution allows for three Constitutional Officers—the Secretary of State, the State Treasurer and the State Attorney General.  There is an additional Statutory Officer, the State Auditor.

The executive branch: Headed by the Governor of Maine, elected every four years, but with a term limit of two consecutive terms in office.  Maine does not have a lieutenant governor, which makes it one of seven states to not have that office.

The legislative branch is comprised of the Maine Senate and the Maine House of Representatives, collectively known as the Maine Legislature.  The Senate has 35 members, and the House of Representatives has 151 members.  With a two-thirds majority from both the House and the Senate, the legislature can override a gubernatorial veto. 

The judicial branch rounds out the government, charged with the task of interpreting state laws.  The judicial branch is headed by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, and lower courts include the District Court, Superior Court and Probate Court.  Judges are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the legislature for seven-year terms, and probate judges are elected by the voters of their respective county for four-year terms, serving part-time.

The state has four electoral votes which go towards the federal Presidential elections.

In 2009, Maine along with Washington and Maryland, became the first states to legalize same-sex marriage at ballot boxes.

The state has a law school at the University of Maine.  Other universities in Maine include, Colby College, Husson University, and Beal College.

The National Law Review covers news, stories, and cases from Maine which impact the state, and federal government. Some of the stories covered include legalization of marijuana, tax disputes, Medicaid expansions and healthcare in the state, minimum wage and labor/employment law, and state and federal news related to government agencies. Visitors to the National Law Review will continually find the latest coverage from the state, related to its citizens, and the federal government system.

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Mar
18
2024
Proposed Amendments to Maine Rules of Appellate Procedure Pierce Atwood LLP
Feb
26
2024
Comments Regarding the Intentional Use of PFAS in Products and CUUs Due March 1, 2024, in Maine and Minnesota Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.
Feb
26
2024
It's a Gas! Federal and State Developments Continue to Light Up the Natural Gas Debate K&L Gates
Feb
20
2024
Procedure, Not Politics Pierce Atwood LLP
Feb
9
2024
First Circuit Says Maine Equal Pay Law Does Not Require Discriminatory Intent Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Feb
1
2024
Maine DEP Proposes Compensatory Program for Renewable Projects Subject to Site Law Pierce Atwood LLP
Jan
24
2024
When Should Prior Precedent Be Overruled? Pierce Atwood LLP
Jan
17
2024
DEP Proposes Substantive Changes to Administrative Rules Pierce Atwood LLP
Jan
16
2024
Take Note: Significant 2024 Gift/Estate Tax Exemption Inflation Increases Blank Rome LLP
Jan
15
2024
The Court as Casino No More: Law Court Ends Stringent Foreclosure Rule Pierce Atwood LLP
Jan
12
2024
Maine Law Court Reverses Rule Barring Foreclosure After a Deficient Notice of Default Pierce Atwood LLP
Jan
11
2024
BREAKING NEWS: Portland, ME Hazard Pay in Effect Pierce Atwood LLP
Jan
10
2024
PFAS In Maine: DEP Seeks Exemption Proposals Pierce Atwood LLP
Jan
9
2024
MDEP Begins Accepting Requests for Proposed Currently Unavoidable Uses of PFAS Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.
Jan
8
2024
Maine DEP Requests Proposals on Currently Unavoidable Uses of PFAS in Products Beveridge & Diamond PC
Jan
8
2024
Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging: What’s Ahead in 2024 Hunton Andrews Kurth
Jan
2
2024
US State Law Roundup – 2023 Year-end Update Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Dec
20
2023
New Year, New Rules? 2024 May See Implementation Of The DOL’s Proposal For Increased Exemption Salary Thresholds While State-Specific Thresholds Are Also Set To Increase Polsinelli PC
Dec
11
2023
State and Local Hourly Minimum Wage Rate Increases are “Coming to Town” on January 1, 2024 Polsinelli PC
Nov
28
2023
The New Year Brings New Leave Laws Jackson Lewis P.C.
Nov
28
2023
The Limits of Deference to Agency Interpretations Under Maine Law Pierce Atwood LLP
Nov
20
2023
Maine Court Clarifies Jurisdiction in Certain Property Tax Appeals and Addresses Maine Revenue Services’ Duty to Taxpayers When Changing Policy Pierce Atwood LLP
Nov
13
2023
Maine Disclosure Requirements Burden Industry Members McDermott Will & Emery
Nov
6
2023
Weekly Bankruptcy Alert November 6, 2023 (For the week ending November 5, 2023) Pierce Atwood LLP
Nov
1
2023
Weekly Bankruptcy Alert November 1, 2023 (For the week ending October 29, 2023) Pierce Atwood LLP
Oct
26
2023
(Precedent) Singing in Harmony Pierce Atwood LLP
Oct
23
2023
Weekly Bankruptcy Alert October 23, 2023 (For the week ending October 22, 2023) Pierce Atwood LLP
Oct
17
2023
Weekly Bankruptcy Alert October 17, 2023 (For the week ending October 15, 2023) Pierce Atwood LLP
Oct
10
2023
Weekly Bankruptcy Alert October 10, 2023 (For the Week Ending October 8, 2023) Pierce Atwood LLP
Oct
3
2023
Weekly Bankruptcy Alert October 3, 2023 (For the week ending October 1, 2023) Pierce Atwood LLP
Oct
3
2023
The Primacy Doctrine and Appellate Advocacy Pierce Atwood LLP
Sep
27
2023
New England State Consumer Data Privacy Bills Currently Under Consideration Pierce Atwood LLP
Sep
26
2023
Weekly Bankruptcy Alert: September 26, 2023 (For the week ending September 24, 2023) Pierce Atwood LLP
Sep
21
2023
Beware the Appeal Deadline, Part 2: Motions to Amend a Judgment v. Motions for Relief from Judgment Pierce Atwood LLP
Sep
18
2023
Weekly Bankruptcy Alert September 18, 2023 (For the week ending September 17, 2023) Pierce Atwood LLP
Sep
11
2023
Weekly Bankruptcy Alert September 11, 2023 (For the week ending September 10, 2023) Pierce Atwood LLP
Sep
8
2023
New England Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Class Action Filings Soar in 2023 Pierce Atwood LLP
Sep
7
2023
Weekly Bankruptcy Alert September 7, 2023 (For the week ending September 3, 2023) Pierce Atwood LLP
Aug
28
2023
Weekly Bankruptcy Alert August 28, 2023 (For the week ending August 27, 2023) Pierce Atwood LLP
Aug
25
2023
Maine Office of Securities Enforcement Update Pierce Atwood LLP
Aug
21
2023
Maine Enacts Expansive Paid Family and Medical Leave Law Proskauer Rose LLP
Aug
8
2023
Weekly Bankruptcy Alert Week Ending August 6 2023 Pierce Atwood LLP
Aug
3
2023
Maine Legislature Enacts Law to Prepare for Offshore Wind Development Pierce Atwood LLP
Aug
1
2023
Beware the Appeal Deadline: Pending Motions and Entry of Final Judgment Pierce Atwood LLP
Jul
28
2023
So not only are NIMBYs delaying our essential transition to renewable energy, they're also taking lots of money out of our pockets! Mintz
Jul
27
2023
Weekly Bankruptcy Alert (For the week ending July 23, 2023) Pierce Atwood LLP
Jul
21
2023
Maine Raises Discrimination Damages Caps and Expands Employee Protections Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Jul
19
2023
Trending in Telehealth: June 27 – July 10, 2023 McDermott Will & Emery
Jul
18
2023
Maine Enacts New Paid Family and Medical Leave Act Jackson Lewis P.C.
Jul
18
2023
Adjournment Requests in Divorce Litigation: Be Kind Blank Rome LLP
 

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