Jonathan Ruterbories is a member of our School Law and Labor & Employment practice groups, assisting clients across a broad spectrum of issues. In the employment context, Jonathan advises schools and other public and private employers on matters of employee discipline, investigations, and labor relations. He also assists our firm’s school clients with complex constitutional and civil rights issues, helping them provide a legally compliant and safe environment for both students and staff. Drawing on his background in education, Jonathan meets clients with legal expertise, empathy, and a passion for helping others succeed.

Jonathan’s passion for working with others to attain positive, collaborative results, started in law school. While at Maine Law, Jonathan authored and advocated for a bill that provided critical appellate rights to youth involved in the criminal justice system. With support from Maine Law faculty, he wrote a detailed report supporting the legislation, met with system stakeholders from across Maine’s criminal defense, prosecution, and mental health communities to garner support for the bill, and testified in front of the Judiciary Committee, answering any questions legislators had about the change. Governor Mills signed the bill on March 12th, 2021, codifying Jonathan’s bill in statute as 15 M.R.S. § 3402(H), and enhancing procedural justice for Maine youth.

Jonathan is an avid athlete and enjoys being active in his community. He plays in local, intramural sports leagues, and spends much of his free time coaching local youth sports teams. When he can, he also loves getting outdoors for a bike ride, a run, or—in the winter—a couple of ski runs. His claim to fame is that he has run two marathons, meaning he is able to say he “runs marathon(s)”—plural.  Above all else, Jonathan enjoys spending time with his family and close friends, whom he is so thankful to have around him.