Lozeau Nominated to Serve on NH Judicial Selection Panel

Nashua Mayor Donnalee Lozeau is among a select group who have been nominated by Gov. Maggie Hassan by Executive Order, establishing an advisory Judicial Selection Commission to aid in judicial nominations.

Commission members, selected to represent each of the state's five Executive Council districts

In addition to Lozeau, nominees include:

• Attorney Elliott Berry from New Hampshire Legal Assistance;
• Kathleen Goode, who served as director of appointments for both Governors Jeanne Shaheen and John Lynch;
• Attorney Martha Hornick from the New Hampshire Public Defenders Office in Littleton;
• Attorney Michael Lewis, a former homicide prosecutor with the New Hampshire Department of Justice and now an associate at the Rath, Young and Pignatelli law firm;
• Manchester Chief of Police David Mara;
• Arthur Nichols, President and CEO of Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene;
• Attorney Wilfred Sanders Jr., of the Pierce Atwood law firm;
• Danette Wineberg, adjunct professor at the UNH School of Law and former Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for The Timberland Company.

Lozeau said she will be honored to serve.

"I am honored to be part of the Judicial Selection Commission recommending the best applicants for appointment to the New Hampshire bench. Considering that NH judges are appointed to serve until mandatory retirement at age 70, it is important to select those whose integrity is unquestioned, and whose experience and knowledge of the law is exceptional," Lozeau said. 

"I believe I bring a unique perspective from both my years in the legislature and my time as Nashua’s mayor.  It is important to remember that court decisions have dramatic effects on the lives of real people, and the best judges are those that have a clear understanding of their role in interpreting the law," Lozeau said.

The commission will be co-chaired by Emily Rice, attorney at the Bernstein Shur law firm, and James Rosenberg, attorney at the Shaheen & Gordon law firm. 

"Ensuring an effective and fair judicial system in New Hampshire requires rising above partisanship and identifying individuals with utmost character, experience and integrity to serve as judges," Hassan said. "Our commission will bring together individuals with a deep understanding of New Hampshire's system of justice in order to recommend highly qualified candidates to fill judicial vacancies."

All judicial nominations are subject to confirmation by the Executive Council.

Members will serve terms of three years, with the option of additional terms at the invitation of the Governor.

In evaluating applicants for judicial office, the Commission will consider such factors as integrity, legal knowledge and ability, judicial temperament, impartiality, commitment to justice, experience, diligence, administrative and communication skills, and public service. Applicants for judicial office shall be considered without regard to race, disability, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, familial status or political affiliation.

The Commission will initially focus on recruiting candidates to fill three upcoming vacancies on New Hampshire's Circuit Court due to the pending retirements of the Honorable Clifford Kinghorn, the Honorable Richard Hampe, and the Honorable Christina O'Neill.

The full text of the Governor's Executive Order