Membership
As one of the oldest law libraries in the nation, The Nathan & Henry B. Cleaves Law Library is committed to serving Maine’s legal community.
Although many of the library’s resources are available to all visitors, membership provides access to additional services and privileges designed to support the practice and administration of law.
Membership at a glance . . .
Membership Term. The membership term is October 1 to September 30.
Membership Renewal. Memberships may be renewed beginning September 1.
Membership Benefits. The services and privileges described below are for current members in good standing, dependent on membership class.
Membership Eligibility. Eligibility requirements differ by membership class.
Membership Dues. When applicable, membership dues are assessed at a flat annual rate.
Prorated Memberships. Individuals or firms joining after April 1 may become members for the remainder of the membership term at 50% of the applicable annual rate.
Application. Membership application requirements vary by class. Some require an online or paper application, while others are extended automatically or by designation.
Questions? For more information, select the Learn More button below each membership class or review the library’s Membership Policy.
Membership Classes & Eligibility
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Individual Attorney
For attorneys licensed to practice in Maine who are not affiliated with a law firm of two or more attorneys.
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Law Firm
For law firms with two or more attorneys licensed to practice in Maine.
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Public Interest
For attorneys practicing with a federal, state, or municipal government in Maine or with a public-interest non-profit organization in Maine.
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Judicial & Law Clerk
For judges and law clerks of state or federal courts in Maine.
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Honorary Attorney
For of counsel or retired attorneys who have made distinctive contributions
to the library. -
Student
For any student enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school.
By becoming a member of the library, you get more than access to a distinguished legal collection and professional legal services — you help preserve Maine’s legal heritage.
Membership Benefits
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Document Delivery
Get copies of materials and resources delivered directly to your inbox at no cost. Subject to copyright and licensing restrictions.
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Legislative History Research
Find the legislative history you need faster with assistance locating bills, committee files, session laws, and related materials.
Receive complete statutory histories for any Maine statute. -
After-Hours Access
Extend your library access to seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. by adding an access card to your membership.
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Westlaw PeopleMap & Company Investigator Reports
Locate people, businesses, properties, and public records to verify identities, locate potential witnesses or parties,
and find assets. -
Westlaw AI Deep Research
Receive a comprehensive AI-powered report by emailing the library a clear and concise fact pattern and up to six questions. Your report will identify relevant legal authority, explain legal issues, suggest additional areas of research, and more.
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Westlaw Jury Verdicts & Settlements
Get jury verdicts and settlement information to assess claim values, identify litigation trends, and compare outcomes in similar cases for negotiation and trial preparation.
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Westlaw Claims Explorer
Identify potential claims, counterclaims, and defenses. Submit a clear and concise fact pattern to receive a comprehensive report that helps you build a litigation strategy.
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Westlaw Litigation Document Analysis
Email your motion or brief, or your opponent’s complaint or brief, to the library and receive a report highlighting citation issues, arguments, and counterarguments.
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Thomson Reuters Practical Law
Get resources tailored to your needs, including practice notes, standard forms, annotated templates, practical checklists, matter maps, jurisdictional and surveys.
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Website Startup Assistance
Start building a professional online presence with one-on-one assistance designing a basic homepage on Squarespace. Members are responsible for all costs related to their websites.
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Massachusetts Research Databases
Through the generosity of the Social Law Library in Boston, the library has access to substantive and administrative law databases covering Massachusetts courts, agencies, statutes, regulations, and more.
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Legal Research Assistance
Get help identifying and locating legal research materials, including hard-to-find sources, through the library’s collections, subscriptions, and partnerships.
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Borrowing Privileges
Take the library with you by borrowing circulating books and other materials, in accordance with the library’s borrowing procedure.
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Programs & Events
Enjoy special access to programs and events, which may include priority registration, exclusive opportunities, and reduced registration fees.
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Notary Services
Access complimentary notary services from the librarian who is a duly admitted attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. The library is open to the public, including nonmember attorneys, during regular business hours for on-site legal research. Membership provides additional services, privileges, and benefits for eligible persons.
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Individual Attorney Members (sole practitioners) and Law Firm Members may apply for membership through our website or by downloading a paper application and submitting the completed application with payment by mail or in person.
Other membership categories—including Honorary Judicial, Judicial Clerk, Honorary Attorney, Public Interest, and Student Members—are extended automatically or be designation.
For more information about membership, please contact the library or consult the Membership Policy.
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Even if you already have Westlaw, the library’s extensive Westlaw Advantage and Thomson Reuters Practical Law subscriptions may provide additional research tools, resources, and features that complement your existing subscription.
Beyond Westlaw, membership provides access to specialized research services and databases, free document delivery, borrowing privileges, programs and events, eligibility for after-hours access, and other benefits designed to support your legal practice and professional development.
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Cleaves Law Library serves attorneys throughout Maine, not just those practicing in Portland. Many of our most valuable membership benefits—including legal research assistance, legislative history research, and access to specialized databases and litigation tools—are available through the librarian who can deliver materials and results directly to your inbox through our document delivery service. Wherever your practice is located in Maine, you can benefit from the library’s resources and expertise.
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Accessing member services is easy! Contact the library by phone or email to submit a request. The librarian can help you determine which resources best meet your needs and what information may be most helpful in fulfilling your request. Most inquiries receive a response within one business day, depending on the nature of the request and staff availability.
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After-hours access is available to eligible members who purchase an access card. The cost of an access card is $25 per membership term. The access card allows you to use the library seven days a week, from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., by entering the courthouse employee entrance on Newbury Street. For additional information about after-hours access, please contact the library or consult the library’s Membership Policy.
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Library members may borrow materials approved for circulation for a period of 14 days. Materials may be renewed for an additional 14 days, provided they have not been requested by another member or recalled by the librarian. All borrowing requests are handled by email, and borrowed materials may be returned to the book cart outside the librarian’s office.
Members can also “borrow” materials without stepping foot in the library. Through our document delivery service, the librarian can send members searchable scanned copies of materials in the library’s print collection, subject to copyright restrictions.
For additional information, contact the library or consult the library’s Membership Policy and Borrowing Procedure.
Your work shapes the law.
Cleaves is here to support it.
Membership Policies & Forms
