Dr. James Tierney

Assistant Professor

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Biography

James E. Tierney is a Lecturer at Harvard Law School, where he teaches various law courses, including the Government Lawyer: State Attorney General Clinic. He has extensive experience in the legal field, having served as the Attorney General of Maine from 1980 to 1990. Tierney has been involved in the National Association of Attorneys General, serving on numerous committees and offering consultations aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of newly elected Attorneys General. His role as a director at the National State Attorney General Program and as a visiting lecturer at Yale Law School underscores his commitment to legal education and the ethical practice of law. In addition to his academic responsibilities, he actively conducts seminars for Attorney General offices, helping to navigate complex legal and ethical challenges. He earned his J.D. from the University of Maine, Portland, and holds a B.A. from the University of Maine, Orono, both of which he completed with high honors.

Research Interests

Experience

Lecturer

— Present

Harvard Law School • Cambridge, Massachusetts

Teaching law courses, including the Government Lawyer: State Attorney General Clinic.

Director

— Present

National State Attorneys General Program, Columbia Law School • New York, New York

Directed a program to support state attorneys general.

Attorney General

— Present

State of Maine • Augusta, Maine

Served as the Attorney General, managing legal affairs for the state.

Visiting Adjunct Lecturer

— Present

Yale Law School • New Haven, Connecticut

Taught law as a visiting lecturer.

Government Lawyer

— Present

State Attorney General Clinic, Harvard Law School • Cambridge, Massachusetts

Involved in teaching and guiding students in governmental legal practices.

Courses

Government Lawyer: State Attorney General Clinic, Fall 2025 Government Lawyer: State Attorney General Clinic, Winter 2026 Government Lawyer: State Attorney General Clinic, Spring 2026 Guns, Abortion Climate Change - State AGs?, Spring 2026 Role State Attorney General, Fall 2025

Requirements for Harvard Law School

Master Program
Requirements
TOEFL
Listening
Required:25
Reading
Required:25
Writing
Required:25
Speaking
Required:25
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
J.D. from an ABA-approved U.S. law school or a first law degree (LL.B. or equivalent) from a foreign law school
Application Checklist
  • Online application form
  • CV/Résumé
  • Personal statements (Parts A and B)
  • At least two recommendations
  • Official transcripts and diplomas
  • Official TOEFL report (if applicable)
  • Application fee ($85)
Specialization Notes

Applied for under 'Department of Law', 'Department of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law', 'Department of Constitutional Law', 'Department of Japanese Legal Studies', and 'Department of Human Rights'.