Rachel White Sears

Attorney

Rachel White Sears

Attorney

Phone: 207.771.9242 Fax: 207.772.3627 Email: rsears@dwmlaw.com

84 Marginal Way, Suite 600 Portland, ME 04101-2480

Assistant: Gaby Barber Email: gbarber@dwmlaw.com

About

Rachel Sears represents public school districts in a wide range of complex and rapidly-developing legal issues with an emphasis on special education and disability law. Rachel has substantial experience in matters arising under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as accompanying state and federal regulations.

Rachel is an experienced litigator who appears in special education due process proceedings and in appeals before the U.S. District Court and the First Circuit Court of Appeals. She also works diligently to help her clients resolve disputes in order to avoid litigation.

Rachel grew up in Maine, is the granddaughter of public school educators, and enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends, especially boating, gardening, skiing, and running. Rachel serves on the Public Policy Committee of Maine Coast Heritage Trust, is a member of the Board for the University of Maine School of Law Foundation, and serves on the Board of the Foundation for Portland Public Schools.

Education

University of Maine School of Law, J.D., summa cum laude

Stanford University, M.A.

Stanford University, B.A.

Judicial Clerkships

Hon. John A. Woodcock, Jr., U.S. District Court for the District of Maine

Recognition

Maine State Bar Association Leadership Academy, 2016-2017

Osher Scholar, University of Maine School of Law

Faculty Significant Achievement Award, University of Maine School of Law

Outstanding Graduate Paper, Department of Anthropological Sciences, Stanford University

Publications

Rachel White & Stephanie Showalter Otts, Preventing the Spread of Zebra and Quagga Mussels: The Role of the Lacey Act, 3 ARIZ. J. L. & ENVTL. POL’Y 85 (Spring 2013).

Cecilia Engler-Palma, David L. VanderZwaag, Richard Apostle, Martin Castonguay, Julian J. Dodson, Emma Feltes, Charles Norchi & Rachel White, Sustaining American Eels: A Slippery Species for Science and Governance, 16 J.INT’L WILDLIFE LAW & POL. 128 (2013).

Memberships

Maine State Bar Association

Cumberland Bar Association

Community/Public Service

Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Public Policy Committee

Cumberland Bar Association, Board of Directors

University of Maine School of Law Foundation, Board of Directors

Admissions