The Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar was created by the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine in 1978 to govern the conduct of lawyers as officers of the Court. The Board consists of six lawyers and three public members. The lawyers are appointed by the Court, and the public members are appointed by the Court on recommendations by the Governor.

The Board regulates the conduct of lawyers by enforcing the Maine Bar Rules adopted by the Court. The purpose of the Bar Rules is provide appropriate standards for attorneys with respect to their practice of the profession of law, including, but not limited to their relationship with their clients, the general public, other members of the legal profession, the courts and other agencies of this State.

Under the Bar Rules, the Board appoints Bar Counsel who investigates alleged misconduct by lawyers and, when authorized to do so by a reviewing panel of the Grievance Commission, litigates grievance complaints at public disciplinary proceedings. The Board also maintains a register of all lawyers who are members of the Bar of the State of Maine as well as records of the termination or suspension of the right of any lawyer to practice law in Maine.

The Board appoints members to three commissions established by the Bar Rules: the Grievance Commission, the Fee Arbitration Commission, and the Professional Ethics Commission.