Richard O'Meara

romeara@mpmlaw.com

Dick is a director at MP&M, having joined the firm in 1987. In his civil litigation, trial and appellate practice, Dick has handled a wide variety of cases, including a large percentage in the federal courts, in the areas of business, commercial, and contract law, employment and discrimination law, probate litigation, business torts, defamation, and personal injury. Dick also devotes a significant portion of his practice to representing individuals with disabilities and their families, usually on issues arising under federal and state special education or anti-discrimination laws. In addition, Dick has experience in litigating a range of civil rights and constitutional claims, having served since 1989 as the Chair of the Legal Panel for the Maine Civil Liberties Union. In 1997, Dick became the ninth recipient of the MCLU's Justice Louis Scolnik Award in recognition of his work in advancing the protection of civil liberties in Maine.

Dick will be listed in the 2008 Edition of “The Best Lawyers in America” under  the specialties of Special Education Law. 

Dick has been recognized over the years by the Maine State Bar Association for his service to the community in accepting numerous pro bono case referrals through the Volunteer Lawyers Project.  He also serves as the volunteer lawyer coach for the Mock Trial team from Cape Elizabeth High School in the Bar Association's annual competition.

Dick is a member of the Cumberland County, Maine State, and American Bar Associations.  He serves as the Amicus Curiae Coordinator of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association and on the Amicus Curiae Committee of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates.  Dick also serves as the Treasurer of hear ME now!, Maine's only oral deaf educational center, and as Treasurer of the Disability Rights Center, Maine's designated protection and advocacy agency for individuals with disabilities.

Bar and Court Admissions

    Maine (1987)
    U.S. District Court for the District of Maine (1987)
    U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (1992)
    U.S. Supreme Court (2002).

Judicial Clerkship

    Hon. Frank M. Coffin, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, 1986-87.

Education

    Dartmouth College, B.A., summa cum laude, 1982
    London School of Economics and Political Science, M.Sc., with distinction, 1983
    University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 1986.

Articles Development Editor, Virginia Law Review, 1985-86. 

Practice Areas