Stanfill Confirmed as New Chief Justice of Maine Supreme Court

Superior Justice Valerie Stanfill is now confirmed as the new Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Court.

Governor Janet Mills nominated Justice Stanfill, who is now the second woman to serve in that position, following Justice Leigh Saufley who was Chief Justice from 2001 to 2020. The governor congratulated Stanfill in a media release, after her nomination was confirmed by lawmakers.

The unanimous vote to confirm Justice Stanfill is a recognition of her sharp intellect, vast legal experience, and commitment to administering justice fairly and impartially. I firmly believe that she will be an exceptional Chief Justice and that the Court will benefit considerably from her skills and expertise.

Justice Valerie Stanfill previously served on the Maine Superior Court, presiding over Androscoggin, Oxford, and Franklin counties. Prior to that, she served on the Maine District Court from 2007 to 2020. In her career, she has received nominations from three governors: Janet Mills; Paul LePage; and John Baldacci.

When she was nominated, Justice Stanfill released this statement:

I pledge to the people of Maine that I will serve them honorably and faithfully, that I will uphold the rule of law, and that I will work every day to deliver fair and impartial justice.

The Senate's unanimous vote followed a unanimous vote by the Legislature's Judiciary Committee. Stanfill will be sworn in later this month. Justice Stanfill is Governor's Mills' third nomination to the Maine Supreme Court, since taking office. Associate Justices Catherine Connors and Andrew Horton were nominated by the Governor in 2020 and were also confirmed with unanimous votes.