Eric R. Herlan

In the "Lawyers Near Me" category, Eric R. Herlan is a prominent attorney associated with the law firm Drummond Woodsum, located at 84 Marginal Way, Suite 600, Portland, ME 04101, USA. He can be reached by phone at (207) 772-1941 or directly at 207.253.0501. Eric R. Herlan is widely recognized as a leading authority in school and education law, with a particular specialization in special education.

Eric R. Herlan practices at Drummond Woodsum, a well-established and respected law firm in Portland, Maine. Their offices at 84 Marginal Way, Suite 600, are situated in a modern commercial building, typical of a professional legal practice. The environment is designed to be highly professional and efficient, equipped with the resources necessary for in-depth legal research, extensive client consultations, and case preparation. Law firms of Drummond Woodsum's standing typically provide a comfortable yet formal setting for clients, fostering an atmosphere conducive to discussing sensitive and complex legal issues related to education and school administration. The firm's commitment to cutting-edge legal issues and extensive publications also suggests a dynamic and intellectually stimulating work environment.

Eric R. Herlan's practice at Drummond Woodsum is almost exclusively dedicated to representing public school districts and educational entities. His core services and areas of expertise include:

• School & Education Law: For over 30 years, Eric Herlan has been representing public school districts on a wide variety of legal issues that arise in the educational context.
• Special Education Law: This is a primary focus of his practice. He provides guidance on compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. His work includes attending Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, mediations, due process hearings (having represented Maine and New Hampshire school districts in over 100 such hearings), staff training, legislative involvement, and court appeals.
• Disability Law: Related to his special education practice, he also advises on broader disability law issues within the school setting.
• General School Law Questions: He offers practical guidance to school districts on resolving problems in a manner consistent with the law, often developing creative solutions for complex legal issues. This includes human rights proceedings and federal Office for Civil Rights investigations.
• Litigation: Eric Herlan has practiced in both federal and state courts, including numerous cases before the First Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court, as well as appearances before the Maine Supreme Court.

He is known for giving 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.

Eric R. Herlan's professional profile is distinguished by several significant features:

• Deep Specialization: His concentrated focus on school and education law, particularly special education, makes him a highly specialized and knowledgeable attorney in this niche field.
• Extensive Experience: Graduating from the University of Maine School of Law in 1987, he has been practicing law for over 35 years, all of which have been dedicated to school law.
• Recognition and Awards: He has been consistently recognized as a top-rated attorney. He has been selected to New England Super Lawyers for Schools & Education every year from 2010 to 2024 and recognized by Best Lawyers USA in Education Law from 2008 to 2025. He also holds a Martindale-Hubbell BV Distinguished rating.
• Prolific Author and Lecturer: Eric Herlan is the author of "Maine Special Education Law" (2nd edition, 2020), which is considered 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 regularly lectures on school law topics in Maine, New Hampshire, and nationally, known for his "energetic and entertaining" presentations.
• Active in the Legal and Educational Community: He has been a regular contributor to the "School Law Advisory" and served as its editor for many years. He is a member of the Maine Bar Association, Maine Council of School Board Attorneys, National Council of School Board Attorneys, New Hampshire Bar Association, and New Hampshire Council of School Attorneys.
• Commitment to Public Service: Beyond his legal practice, he has served as past Senior Wardens for both Trinity Episcopal Church in Portland and St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church in Ellsworth, demonstrating his commitment to community involvement.

Drummond Woodsum promotes Eric R. Herlan as a leading attorney for school districts in Maine and New Hampshire, emphasizing his extensive experience, specialized knowledge in special education, and his prolific contributions to legal literature and education. His recognition by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America serves as a significant promotional aspect, indicating peer and industry respect. The firm highlights his ability to provide practical and creative solutions to complex legal issues faced by schools. Potential clients, primarily school districts and educational institutions, are encouraged to contact him through Drummond Woodsum's official channels, including his phone number (207) 253-0501 and email (erherlan@dwmlaw.com).

Specific, detailed customer reviews from individual clients for Eric R. Herlan are not widely available in general public search results. This is common for attorneys who primarily represent institutional clients, such as school districts, rather than individual consumers. However, his consistent recognition by "Super Lawyers" and "Best Lawyers in America" for over a decade is a strong indicator of positive peer review and high professional standing within the legal community. These accolades are based on extensive research and peer nominations, suggesting a high level of respect for his expertise and ethical conduct. His numerous publications, including definitive texts on special education law in Maine and New Hampshire, further objectively demonstrate his authoritative knowledge in his field. His regular lecturing engagements across the country also attest to his reputation as an expert. While direct individual client testimonials are scarce, the strong professional endorsements and his significant contributions to education law provide a clear picture of his standing and expertise.