Governor Announces Judicial Nominees
Governor Announces Judicial Nominees
July 30, 2010
Governor's Office
AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci today announced nominations to the Superior and District Courts of Maine.
Governor Baldacci is nominating current District Court Judges MaryGay Kennedy, Ann Murray and Robert Murray for Maine’s Superior Court.
Kennedy, of Brunswick, was first appointed to the District Court in 2007. Before joining the District Court, Kennedy was an attorney with Germani and Riggle and McTeague, Higbee, MacAdam, Case, Cohen and Whitney. She was also the Founding Director for the Maine Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program. She received her J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law.
Ann Murray, of Bangor, was first appointed to the District Court in 1999. Since 2007, she has served as the Chief Judge of the District Court. Before her appointment, she was an attorney with Richardson, Whitman, Large and Badger and also worked for four years in the Penobscot District Attorney’s Office. She received her J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law.
Robert Murray, of Bangor, was first appointed in 2004. Before his appointment, he served as the Commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. He was also an attorney with Rudman and Winchell and served for four years in the Maine State Senate, where he was the chairman of the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice. He also spent four years in the Maine House of Representatives. He received his J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law.
For the District Court, the Governor is nominating Patrick Ende, Bruce Jordan and Susan Oram for appointment.
Ende, of Hallowell, has served for the past two years as Governor Baldacci’s Chief Legal Counsel. He has also served as a Senior Policy Advisor for the Governor, covering the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services. Before joining the administration, Ende was the Litigation Director for Maine Equal Justice Partners. From 1982 until 1998, Ende worked for Pine Tree Legal Assistance, holding a number of positions including Directing Attorney and Staff Attorney. He received his J.D. from New York University School of Law.
Jordan, of Veazie, has served as a Family Law Magistrate since 1998. A Family Law Magistrate is a quasi-judicial officer presiding over parental rights cases, paternity actions, child support and divorces involving children. Before becoming a Magistrate, Jordan was a partner with the law firm of Archer, Perry and Jordan. He received his J.D. from the Franklin Pierce Law Center in Concord, N.H.
Oram, of Auburn, has served as a Family Law Magistrate since 2003. Before becoming a Magistrate, she was a partner with the law firm of Bonneau and Geismar. She was also an associate with Isaacson and Raymond. She received her J.D. from Vermont Law School in South Royalton, Vt.
In addition, the Governor is nominating five judges for reappointment.
Judge Peter Goranites of Cumberland is being nominated for reappointment to the District Court. He was first appointed in 1988. Before his appointment, Goranites was a partner in the law firm Goranites & Libby for 12 years and also served in the Office of the Maine Attorney General for three years.
Judge Charles LaVerdiere of Wilton is being nominated for reappointment to the District Court. He was first appointed in 2003 and is the Deputy Chief Judge for the Maine District Court. Before being appointed to the District Court, LaVerdiere practiced law for 20 years.
Judge Robert Mullen of Waterville is being nominated for reappointment to the District Court. Mullen was first appointed in 1996. Before his appointment, Mullen was a partner at Linnell, Choate and Webster for 17 years.
Judge Bernard O’Mara of Easton is being nominated for reappointment to the District Court. O’Mara was first appointed in 2003. Before his appointment, he was in private practice for 25 years and worked at Pine Tree Legal Assistance for 18 years.
Judge David Griffiths of Presque Isle is being nominated for reappointment as Active Retired Judge for the District Court. He was first appointed in 1988. Before his appointment, Griffiths practiced law in Presque Isle from 1961 until his appointment in 1988. He retired from the District Court in 2003 and was appointed that year as an Active Retired Judge.
The nominations will be considered by the Joint Select Committee on the Judiciary. A Senate confirmation session is scheduled for Aug. 25.
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