Governor Janet T. Mills announced today that Maine Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Jeffrey L. Hjelm has chosen to retire from active service after 27 years in Maine’s judiciary.
“Justice Hjelm has enjoyed an enduring and highly respected career as both a lawyer and judge in our state,” said Governor Janet Mills. “He has been long recognized as a careful, quiet thinker who is committed to the principle of law and the administration of justice. He has the distinction of serving on all three of our courts, finishing his career most recently with the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. It has been Maine’s privilege to have Justice Hjelm’s valued service for so long, and we are indebted to the Justice’s many contributions to the citizens of Maine.”
Justice Hjelm was appointed to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court in 2014 after sixteen years on the Superior Court and six years on the District Court. Before joining the bench in 1992, Justice Hjelm was a trial lawyer with the Department of the Attorney General and the Bangor law firm Vafiades, Brountas & Kominsky, and a law clerk for the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. Justice Hjelm graduated from Hampden Academy, Hamilton College and Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
The Governor's Judicial Nominations Advisory Committee members will begin next month reviewing candidates to succeed Justice Hjelm. The Committee will also continue considering candidates for the District and Superior Courts as well. Attorneys and judges who are interested in being considered for these courts should visit the Judicial Selection tab on the Governor’s website for more information. Applicants who filed materials before January 1, 2017 and remain interested in being considered must update their materials following the process outlined on the website. All applicants should have their materials submitted by October 16, 2019.