A former state legislator whose license to practice law has been suspended says she plans to permanently surrender her license and move to a senior living facility in Portland.
Lynne Williams, who represented Bar Harbor-area towns in the Legislature from 2020 to early 2024, had her law license suspended on an interim basis by the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar, a regulatory agency that oversees the professional conduct of licensed lawyers in the state.
The order, which was written by the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar and approved by a judge, indicates that Williams is accused of violating 10 rules about lawyer conduct. The order does not say what Williams is alleged to have done, but it cites rules that address diligence, communication with clients, honesty, and committing criminal or unlawful acts, among other topics.
Williams, who will turn 75 next month, said Wednesday that she has been having health issues and had recent hospital stays, but she did not specify what the issues have been. In a series of emails, she said she has been planning not to renew her license, and to retire altogether from practicing law.
“I had no current clients, nor do I currently have any,” Williams said, referring to the timing of the board’ suspension order last month. “I have now notified the overseers that I am forfeiting my attorney license.”
When asked about the rules she is alleged to have violated, Williams did not address any of them individually, but said she did not know where any complaints that resulted in her suspension may have originated from.
“Unless there is one or more client(s) who will back up these allegations, I don’t see that they have support for their allegations. I would be interested in knowing who that is,” Williams said. “That said, I am not in good health, and have neither the resources nor the strength to pursue this.”
She also noted her plans to move soon to a senior living facility.
Williams resigned from her legislative seat last spring to take a state job as a worker’s compensation mediator. While serving in Augusta, Williams represented House District 14, which includes the towns of Bar Harbor, Cranberry Isles, Lamoine and Mount Desert.
Prior to serving in the Legislature, Williams practiced as a lawyer specializing in marijuana business law and civil rights.
She sought the Maine Green Independent Party’s nomination for governor in 2010 but did not gather enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.
Before serving the Legislature, she narrowly lost to Republican incumbent William Blaisdell in the 2018 race for Hancock County probate judge, falling short by 25 votes out of nearly 28,000 cast in the election.
