Melvyn Zarr
Professor of Law
A.B., Clark University
LL.B., Harvard University
Office Phone: (207) 780-4359
melvyn.zarr@maine.edu
Professor Zarr teaches Civil Procedure and Criminal Law in the first year, and Criminal Procedure and Federal Courts to upper class students. Students refer to his classes as fresh and innovative, and among the favorite of classes they take during their law school careers. His students admire and respect the "Zarrian approach" to learning and his devotion to "Zarrian Principles," such as "[t]he law is a lawyer-driven process."
Professor Zarr began his career (1963-1970) as a civil rights lawyer with the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, where he developed an expertise in helping his clients, including Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., find refuge in the federal courts. He also conducted civil rights litigation in Mississippi and Alabama. He later served as co-director of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, focusing on poverty law. When asked why he made the switch to teaching, Professor Zarr replies that it gives him a chance "to think more deeply about the law."
In addition to maintaining a full teaching load, Professor Zarr contributes generously to the legal community. He is an elected member of the American Law Institute. He helps draft Maine criminal statutes as a member of the Maine Criminal Advisory Commission, which advises the Legislature on criminal law matters. Professor Zarr helps draft Maine criminal rules as Consultant to the Advisory Committee on Rules of Criminal Procedure. He was formerly a federal magistrate.
Professor Zarr was named the Law School's 2003 Teacher of the Year for teaching excellence.
