Dalianis Named New Chief Justice
Linda Dalianis of Nashua will make New Hampshire history as the first woman to serve as the state Supreme Court’s Chief Justice. She was unanimously approved yesterday by the Executive Council and will take the helm from the retiring Chief Justice John Broderick, who has been named dean and president of the UNH School of Law. Three more judicial appointments were also approved.
Linda Dalianis may become the first female Chief Justice of the N.H. Supreme Court (photo courtesy NH Supreme Court)
Dalianis’s appointment was swift, having just been nominated by Gov. John Lynch in mid-November. To learn about the work she’ll have cut out for her, visit our earlier article “Considering Courts.”
“Over her 30 years on the bench, Justice Dalianis has distinguished herself as a thoughtful jurist who possesses a deep commitment to justice and keen intellect. I am confident she will be a strong administrator of the court system, helping to guide the courts into the future and ensure fairness for all of our people,” Lynch said in a press release.
Dalianis, of Nashua, was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2000, having served in the Superior Court system since 1980. She was the first woman appointed to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Dalianis graduated from Northeastern University in 1970 and received her law degree from Suffolk University School of Law in 1974, entering private practice upon graduation.
Additional Appointments
The council also confirmed Lynch’s nomination of Superior Court Chief Justice Robert Lynn as Associate Justice position on the Supreme Court, the position left by Dalianis.
“Judge Lynn will make an excellent addition to our high court. He has proven himself as an outstanding and highly regarded judge with the ability to handle the most complex and challenging cases,” Lynch said.
Lynn, of Windham, has served as Chief Justice of the Superior Court since 2004, and has been a Superior Court judge since 1992. He graduated from the University of New Haven in 1971, and received his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1975. Before being named to the New Hampshire Superior Court, Lynn served as a federal prosecutor.
Councilors also unanimously approved the Governor’s two nominations to serve in the District Courts – Kristin Spath, a state prosecutor, and Belknap County Attorney James Carroll.
Spath, of Concord, will be nominated as a judge in the Concord District Court. She is currently an Associate Attorney General and serves as the Chief of Staff in the Department of Justice. Spath graduated from the University of Maine in 1977 and received a master’s degree in public administration in 1979. She received her law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center in 1985. Prior to becoming a prosecutor at the Department of Justice, Spath was a New Hampshire and federal public defender.
Carroll, of Laconia, is currently the Belknap County Attorney, and will be nominated to the Laconia District Court. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1969, and received his law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center in 1987. After graduation from law school, Carroll entered private practice before serving as the Laconia city prosecutor from 1992 to 2002. In 2006, Carroll was elected county attorney, and was re-elected in 2008 and 2010. Carroll has volunteered for a number of Laconia organizations over the years and has received many awards in recognition of his service to the community.
“Kristin Spath and James Carroll have each demonstrated a deep commitment to our system of justice and to the people of the state of New Hampshire. Their years of legal experience and commitment to the people will help to strengthen our judicial system here in New Hampshire,” Gov. Lynch said.
This Daily Dispatch was compiled by Hilary Niles.
Posted by Hilary Niles
on Dec 9 2010. Filed under courts, executive council, Government, Justice, Weekly Briefing.
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