Atty. Eric R. Herlan
For more than 30 years, Eric Herlan has been representing public school districts on a wide variety of legal issues, focusing on both special education and general school law questions. Eric gives clients practical guidance on how to resolve problems consistent with the law, often coming up with creative solutions to help them achieve their goals, even with the most complicated legal issues.
Education Law Attorney · Serving Portland, ME
Profile Summary
About Eric R. Herlan at a Glance
Eric R. Herlan is a education attorney based in Portland, Maine, practicing at Drummond Woodsum. Educated at University of Maine School of Law (J.D., 1987). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Education Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Special Education (2026). Serves clients in Portland, ME and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Eric R. Herlan
- For more than 30 years, Eric Herlan has been representing public school districts on a wide variety of legal issues, focusing on both special education and general school law questions
- Eric gives clients practical guidance on how to resolve problems consistent with the law, often coming up with creative solutions to help them achieve their goals, even with the most complicated legal issues
- He has represented Maine and New Hampshire school districts in more than 100 special education due process hearings, in addition to state complaint investigations, human rights proceedings, and the federal Office for Civil Rights investigations
- Eric has also practiced in both federal and state courts, including many cases before the First Circuit Court of Appeals as well as the U.S
- District Court, and he has also appeared before the Maine Supreme Court
- In addition to his legal practice, Eric regularly lectures on school law topics in Maine, New Hampshire, and across the country to a wide variety of audiences – His presentations are energetic and entertaining, whether in front of school staff in a local school district or in front of attorneys at a national conference
- Eric publishes frequently on special education and other school law topics
- He has written and published Maine Special Education Law (2nd edition, 2020), the premier book on special education in Maine
- He co-authored New Hampshire Special Education Law (1st edition, 2018) and is a contributing author to Maine School Law (6th Edition 2018)
- He has been a regular contributor to the School Law Advisory and served as its editor for many years
- He has written for the Maine Law Review and was its editor in chief while in law school
- Eric has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, a guide to leading lawyers in the country, and in the New England Super Lawyers in the category of Education Law every year since 2010
- Eric grew up in Winter Harbor, Maine, and he is a proud graduate of Sumner Memorial High School
- He has dedicated time to giving back to the community, serving as past Senior Wardens for both Trinity Episcopal Church in Portland and St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Ellsworth
Practice Areas Explained
Eric R. Herlan's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Eric R. Herlan handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Portland.
Education Law in Portland
Education attorneys for special education (IEP), school discipline, Title IX, and student rights.
Eric R. Herlan is one of 23,864 education attorneys indexed nationally. Browse education attorneys in Maine →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Portland
Practicing law in Maine. Legal matters in Maine are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Portland are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Maine state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Maine brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Maine courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Portland Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Portland-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Maine attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Portland or all attorneys in Maine.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Portland Choose Eric R. Herlan
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Eric R. Herlan's practice in the field of education.
Focused Education Practice
Concentrating on education means Eric R. Herlan's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in Portland
A Portland-based practice means Eric R. Herlan attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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Eric R. Herlan's Practice Areas & Specializations
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