HOULTON, Maine — A Houlton attorney is among four new judicial nominees for Maine District Court judge openings.
Gov. Paul LePage announced the appointments on Thursday. The Republican governor nominated Brent Davis of Skowhegan; Tammy Ham-Thompson of Gardiner; Stephen Nelson of Houlton; and Lea-Anne Sutton of Gorham.
Nelson is a lawyer and partner at the Houlton-based firm, Severson, Hand and Nelson, where he specializes in family law, small business representation, civil litigation and estate planning. He is contracted to provide legal representation to victims of domestic abuse through the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians domestic violence program.
“As I understand it, there are four vacancies that are being filled with new nominees,” Nelson said Monday. “The governor nominates people for the vacancies and his selections for the active retired positions. The nominees are posted in Augusta and a confirmation hearing is conducted by the Judiciary Committee of the Legislature. After the Judiciary Committee votes on the nominees, the nominees are referred to the Senate for final confirmation. Once confirmed, the governor swears in the appointees.”
LePage also handed down his nominations for active retired judges on the District Court, including Judge Andrew G. Janelle of Saco; Judge Bernard G. O’Mara of Dyer Brook; and Judge Patricia G. Worth of Belfast.
Mara has served on the Maine District Court since 2003, and previously worked as a private practice attorney.
Nelson said that becoming a judge is something that has been in the back of his mind for a number of years now.
“I have always been interested in considering judicial service, but it was not until after the announcement by Judge O’Mara of his retirement that I submitted my name for consideration for the District Court position, at the suggestion of some of my colleagues,” he said. “I was very pleased to be nominated and I would be honored to serve.”
