Barbara Butler Merrill Barbara Butler Merrill, ’79 practices law with her husband, attorney Phil Merrill. After UMaine, she graduated with a JD from the University of Maine School of Law and practiced for several years as a member of Verrill Dana, LLP. In 2004, Barbara ran as a Democrat and won the Maine State House of Representatives seat for District 44 (Islesboro, Lincolnville, Appleton, Hope, Liberty, Morrill, and Searsmont). She left the Democrat party in 2006 to become an independent candidate for the Governor of Maine. Barbara has been honored by the Maine Bar Association for her pro bono work.