Maine Law Offers New Certificate in Information Privacy Law

The University of Maine School of Law is proud to announce it will offer a Certificate in Information Privacy Law, expanding on the school’s reputation in this emerging field, beginning in fall 2016.  Candidates will earn the certificate through a combination of coursework, experiential learning, a writing project and certification through the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

Information privacy is one of the fastest-growing areas of the law, with the IAPP, itself, growing from 10,000 to 25,000 members in the last four years. The certificate will provide graduates with a diverse base of knowledge and a critical advantage as they seek jobs related to privacy and cybersecurity, such as chief privacy officers, legal compliance officers, data security officers, consumer protection regulators, and U.S. military officers. Further, there is a growing and competitive market for new associates and partners with knowledge of the diverse and complicated set of privacy laws and regulations in the United States and abroad.

Over the past decade, Maine Law has carved out a niche in the information privacy field, thanks largely to the school’s relationship with the New Hampshire-based IAPP, led by Maine Law alum J. Trevor Hughes, ’95, the organization’s president and CEO.

“The staggering volume and flow of information and the manner in which such information is produced, collected, retained, and disclosed in a digital environment present complex issues for our modern conception of privacy. Maine Law’s Certificate in Information Privacy will prepare students to meet the challenges that await us all—individuals, governments, and corporations—on the digital frontier,” said Maine Law Dean Danielle Conway. “My vision for the near future includes working closely with the IAPP and the University of Southern Maine to build out degree programming in Information Privacy and Cybersecurity that will surpass the platinum standard of instruction and training in this frontier field.”

Jennifer Wriggins, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law, will direct the program. She will work closely with the IAPP and other organizations to offer an innovative, interdisciplinary curriculum that prepares students for careers in information privacy and cybersecurity.

In collaboration with Hughes and the IAPP, Maine Law established the nation’s first for-credit law school summer program in information privacy. The seventh annual Information Privacy Summer Institute was held this year from May 16 to June 3. Courses were taught by top scholars from around the world, including Professors Omer Tene, Caitlin Fennessy, Kirk Nahra, Ken Mortensen, and Heather Egan Sussman.

“We are thrilled about working with Maine Law to educate lawyers with much-needed privacy and cybersecurity skills,” said Trevor Hughes, President and CEO of the IAPP.  With a network of engaged and committed privacy attorneys connected to Maine Law, the Law School has also helped develop a series of externships and internships in privacy and regulatory compliance at a variety of businesses and government entities. Placements have included the IAPP, Network Advertising Initiative, IDEXX, UNUM, Monster Worldwide, CVS Caremark, InterMed, and Mercy Hospital.

Individuals interested in the new Certificate in Information Privacy Law should contact the Office of Admissions at the University of Maine School of Law at 207.780.4341 or lawadmissions@maine.edu.