Portland-based law first Bernstein Shur has gifted the University of Maine School of Law $50,000 in honor of its retiring shareholder and LGBT activist Pat Peard. The money is to be used in Peard’s name to support “areas of greatest need at the law school” and in keeping with the mission of Peard.
Peard, who earned her law degree from the school in 1988, is described throughout the community as a “justice warrior” and tireless advocate for LGBT rights, according to a press release from the firm announcing the gift.
According to New England business media:
She led the more than 10-year fight to include sexual orientation as a protected category to the Maine Human Rights Act and also worked on numerous campaigns to legalize same sex marriage.
In recognition of these and her many other career milestones, she has received numerous awards. These awards include: Equality Maine’s first Lifetime Achievement Award, the Deborah Morton Award from the University of New England, the Kinvin Wroth Award from Maine Law, the Justice Scolnik Award from the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, and the Take a Stand Award from the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine.
“I’ve known Pat since the very beginning of her legal career,” said Pat Scully, CEO at Bernstein Shur. “In fact, I interviewed her when she was a 2L at Maine Law and brought her on to work as a summer associate. I knew from our first encounter that she would make a great Bernstein Shur lawyer.”
Scully said the law firm considered its commitment to Maine Law as a “wonderful way” to honor Peard’s legacy and celebrate her “extraordinary legal career and her statewide leadership on important social issues.”
“We also support the fantastic institution that provided us such a wonderful lawyer, leader, colleague and friend,” he said.
“I am honored to accept this $50,000 gift from Bernstein Shur in honor of alumna Pat Peard,” said Danielle Conway, dean of the University of Maine School of Law. “Pat demonstrates how a lawyer should combine leadership and a commitment to equity to serve individuals, the community and the legal profession. She is the kind of lawyer-leader whom we strive to emulate in pursuing excellence in our teaching, service and scholarship at the University of Maine School of Law.”
