Cumberland Bar Association upcoming events

Landmark Medical Malpractice Verdicts in Maine (3 Jun 2026)

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Landmark Medical Malpractice Verdicts in Maine

June 3, 2026

12:00 p.m.-1:15 p.m.

via Zoom

This presentation highlights two significant jury verdicts that underscore the evolving landscape of medical malpractice litigation in Maine: a historic $25 million verdict in Cumberland County—the largest personal injury verdict in Maine history—and a $6.5 million verdict in Penobscot County, the highest judgment ever returned in that county. Attendees will gain insight into the facts, legal strategies, and evidentiary themes that drove these outcomes, as well as practical lessons on presenting high-stakes medical negligence cases to a jury.

Speaker: Meryl Poulin, Esq., Gideon Asen, LLC

Meryl Poulin is a trial lawyer known for her competitiveness, client-centered approach, and willingness to take calculated risks for the people she represents. Since joining Gideon Asen in 2021, she has played a central role on trial teams that have secured more than $41 million in jury verdicts in Maine, including a historic $25 million medical malpractice verdict in 2025—the largest personal injury verdict in state history.

She is recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice Law, Personal Injury Litigation, and Product Liability Litigation, and has been named to Super Lawyers Rising Stars. A Maine native, Meryl graduated cum laude from the University of Maine School of Law and earned her undergraduate degree from Colby College, where she was a multi-sport varsity athlete and team captain.

This program has been approved for one hour of general CLE credit.

Immigration Hot Topics: Recent Changes to the Law & Enforcement Trends in Maine and Beyond (17 Jun 2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Immigration Hot Topics: Recent Changes to the Law &

Enforcement Trends in Maine and Beyond CLE
via Zoom

June 17, 2026 from 12:00-1:15 PM

Description: Immigration law is changing at an unprecedented rate, both in terms of how the law is interpreted and the processes through which the government considers applications for immigration relief. This CLE will provide an overview of the most notable changes to the law that practitioners should be aware of, including the reshaping of the immigration courts, enforcement trends in Maine and nationally, the government's practices involving removal of individuals seeking immigration relief to third countries, and more.

Speaker: Sara Cressey is a Visiting Professor of Law in Maine Law's Refugee and Human Rights Clinic (RHRC) where she supervises the work of student attorneys in their direct representation of clients in immigration matters, focusing on removal defense. She also supervises students in their broader advocacy and outreach work in the Clinic and serves as an advisor to students who are interested in immigration law and human rights. Sara teaches substantive classes related to the work of the RHRC, including on defensive asylum and immigration research. Prior to joining Maine Law, Sara completed two federal clerkships and practiced in the litigation group of one of Portland's larger law firms. She lives in Portland with her husband, son, and pets.

This program has been approved for one hour of general CLE credit. Registrants will receive the Zoom login credentials one day before the program.