Meet Anne

Anne Carney and her husband David Wennberg made Cape Elizabeth their home in 1988. They have three adult children and two grandchildren. Anne graduated from the University of Maine School of Law, cum laude, in 1990. Anne received a B.A. from Haverford College, and has a Masters of Theological Studies from Harvard University in addition to her J.D.

Anne practiced employment, civil rights and municipal law at Norman, Hanson & DeTroy, LLC, for 17 years, representing businesses, individuals, cities and towns throughout Maine. She then served as an volunteer attorney with Pine Tree Legal Assistance for 8 years, providing pro bono legal representation to Mainers with low or no income. Anne focused on fighting for people who have no access to our legal system: women sexually assaulted at work, migrant farmworkers subject to terrible conditions, people who lost work because of their religion or because they were pregnant. She received the Pine Tree Legal Assistance Award for Pro Bono Services in 2016.

Anne’s service as a volunteer lawyer for Mainers unable to afford legal representation influences her legislative work. It has helped her to understand key legal issues facing working families, as well as shown her which aspects of Maine’s civil and criminal justice system needed to be improved. Additionally, she has developed a firsthand appreciation for the value of pro bono legal services that help equalize access to the justice system in people’s moments of great need. 

In recognition of her work to promote public safety and reduce gun violence, Anne has received the Fitzgerald Award from the Maine Gun Safety Coalition. She also received the Children’s Advocacy Center Award from the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault in recognition of Maine’s new law that makes it easier for children to testify in sexual assault cases.

Anne served on the Board of Directors of the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust from 2010-2018, including three years as Board President, and she continues to serve the Land Trust as an Advisory Board member. She is also on the Board of Farms for Food Equity, which promotes the sustainability of farms in Maine and combats food insecurity.

An outdoor enthusiast her whole life, Anne can often be found playing on the beach with her grandchildren, walking her dogs in local parks and conservation lands, or bicycling from Bug Light to Prouts Neck to points beyond. A big supporter of local farmers and fishermen, Anne loves growing and canning produce and cooking with her family and friends.