Rachel White Sears

Rachel White Sears is an attorney at Drummond Woodsum in Portland who represents public school districts in school and education law, with an emphasis on special education and disability law. She handles matters arising under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and related state and federal regulations. Her practice includes advice, dispute resolution, due process proceedings, litigation, and appellate work for educational clients.

Rachel earned a J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Maine School of Law. She also received an M.A. and a B.A. from Stanford University. Her academic record includes the Osher Scholar designation, a Faculty Significant Achievement Award at Maine Law, and an Outstanding Graduate Paper award from Stanford. She later served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable John A. Woodcock, Jr. of the US District Court for the District of Maine.

Rachel appears in special education due process proceedings and handles appeals before the US District Court and the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. She also works with school districts to resolve disputes before litigation when possible. Her experience combines education law, disability law, federal statutory requirements, administrative proceedings, and appellate advocacy, allowing her to address the procedural and substantive issues that arise in special education matters.

Rachel White Sears was recognized by Best Lawyers USA in its Ones to Watch category for Education Law in 2026. She has served in professional and community leadership roles, including work with the Maine Coast Heritage Trust Public Policy Committee and the University of Maine School of Law Foundation. Her practice is grounded in careful legal analysis and practical problem solving for public school districts managing special education, disability, and student-related disputes.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Drummond Woodsum
• Member, Maine State Bar Association
• Board Member, University of Maine School of Law Foundation
• Board Member, Cumberland Bar Association
• Board Member, Foundation for Portland Public Schools
• Member, Public Policy Committee, Maine Coast Heritage Trust

Licensed State

• Maine

Education

• University of Maine School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD) (Summa Cum Laude)
• Stanford University
  Master of Arts (MA)
• Stanford University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges