Society to honor Chief Justice Wathen

    AUGUSTA, Maine – An outstanding public servant will be honored by the Maine Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration at its annual meeting and awards ceremony June 21 in Augusta.
     The chapter’s public service award will be presented to the Honorable Chief Justice Daniel Wathen in recognition of his generous volunteer service.
Wathen, an Easton native, is well known for his years of public service as head of Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court. But people may not realize the amount of time he has devoted in aid of disadvantaged Mainers. He currently serves as Court Master in class action litigation involving the operation of a state psychiatric hospital and the community mental health system throughout Maine. He is also chair of the Diocesan Review Committee that reviews allegations of sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy or church officials, and maintains a working relationship with survivor and victim advocacy groups.
Wathen also has given time to countless charitable and civic organizations and boards, including the Holocaust Human Rights Center of Maine, the First Radio Parish Church of America, Jobs for Maine’s Graduates, the Family Violence Project, Communities for Children, Kids Legal Aid, Maine Children’s Trust, and the Legal Access Project of Maine Legal Services for the Elderly. He also serves on the board of visitors for the University of Maine School of Law and the University of Maine at Presque Isle, and is vice chair of the board of trustees for the Maine Community College System.
“Dan is remarkable,” said Gov. John E. Baldacci. “Not only did he devote his extensive legal career to serving Maine people, but he continues to give freely of his time helping Maine’s most vulnerable citizens.”
Wathen is counsel to the firm of Pierce Atwood.
The Maine Public Service award recognizes the contribution to civic life made by individuals who serve as volunteers for non-profit entities, social service organizations and governmental task forces, committees and boards.
The American Society for Public Administration is the oldest, largest professional association in the country for public managers.