ME Bar ME Bar Swearing In and Licensing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many CLE credits per year does Maine generally require for active attorneys?
- 6 hours
- 11 hours (Correct answer)
- 15 hours
- 20 hours
Correct answer: 11 hours
Maine requires active attorneys to complete 11 hours of CLE per year, including at least 1 hour of ethics.
Question 2: What is the minimum number of ethics CLE hours required annually in Maine?
- 0 hours — ethics is optional
- 1 hour (Correct answer)
- 2 hours
- 3 hours
Correct answer: 1 hour
Maine requires at least 1 hour of ethics CLE per year as part of its 11-hour annual continuing education requirement.
Question 3: A newly admitted Maine attorney during a swearing-in ceremony primarily swears to:
- Never represent criminal defendants
- Support the Constitution and faithfully discharge legal duties (Correct answer)
- Maintain a minimum billable hour requirement
- Pay bar dues on time
Correct answer: Support the Constitution and faithfully discharge legal duties
The Maine Attorney's Oath includes a commitment to support the U.S. and Maine Constitutions and faithfully perform the duties of an attorney.
Question 4: Which status allows a Maine attorney to practice law without paying full bar dues?
- Suspended status
- Inactive status
- Emeritus status (Correct answer)
- Conditional status
Correct answer: Emeritus status
Emeritus status in Maine allows retired attorneys to perform pro bono work without paying full active dues, under limited conditions.
Question 5: If a Maine attorney is placed on inactive status, they may:
- Continue to practice law as usual
- Practice law only in federal courts
- Not practice law until reinstated to active status (Correct answer)
- Practice law part-time with court approval
Correct answer: Not practice law until reinstated to active status
Attorneys on inactive status in Maine may not practice law and must seek reinstatement to active status before doing so.
Question 6: Maine attorneys who fail to complete CLE requirements by the deadline may face:
- Immediate disbarment
- Suspension from the practice of law (Correct answer)
- A minor fine only
- Mandatory bar exam retake
Correct answer: Suspension from the practice of law
Failure to complete Maine's CLE requirements can result in suspension from the practice of law until requirements are met and penalties paid.
ME Bar ME Bar Swearing In and Licensing 2
How many CLE credits per year does Maine generally require for active attorneys?