 |
Natasha C. Irving (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
By Dominik Lobkowicz
A woman who grew up in Waldoboro has returned to practice law there, and will soon open her office in what was most recently The Village Bakery & Café.
Natasha Irving graduated from Medomak Valley High School in 2001 and earned a degree from the University of Maine School of Law in 2009.
Irving went to work as a labor organizer after she graduated law school, and eventually worked alternating stints as a political organizer for the Maine Democratic Party during campaigns and as a clerk for the Maine Legislature when it was in session.
In January 2014 Irving learned she was pregnant – she and her significant other, Billy Day, welcomed their daughter, Mariner, in September – and said she felt responsible enough and mature to take on both motherhood and a solo law practice at the same time.
“People rely on you to do a good job. You can’t fail. You can’t fail at either of those things,” she said.
In July 2014, eight months pregnant at the time, Irving took and passed the Maine bar exam. She took on her first client – a family friend – in December and has since been adding clients through word of mouth.
Irving’s original intent in going to law school was to become a public defender, but said she recognized the need of rural areas like Waldoboro for general practice attorneys who can handle diverse subjects like creating wills and trusts, and family, criminal, and contract law.
“I want to help folks out,” Irving said.
Along that line, Irving is considering hosting periodic Saturday clinics on topics such as family law to help review people’s paperwork or their rights. She likened her proposed clinics to a college professor’s open office hours.
“You don’t get a court-appointed attorney [in family court], and your rights as a parent are really important,” Irving said.
Irving is on the roster for Lincoln and Knox counties to serve as a court-appointed attorney, and plans to put in for Sagadahoc, Kennebec, and Waldo counties as well.
Renovations in the former bakery where Irving’s office will be located are ongoing, and though they likely won’t yet be complete she plans to open her doors during the second week of March.
The practice, Natasha C. Irving, Attorney at Law, will be located at 11 Friendship St.
Irving plans to hold office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (when she is not in court), but will be flexible in taking calls and making appointments during her off hours.
For more information, find the practice on Facebook or call 208- 9845.
