Courtesy / University of Maine System
Leigh Ingalls Saufley, who has served as chief justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court since 2001, will assume duties as dean of Maine's only law school on April 15.
Updated: April 9, 2020
Maine's top judge to take reins at Maine Law
Leigh Ingalls Saufley, chief justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court since 2001, will be the next dean of the University of Maine School of Law, the school announced Wednesday.
Saufley will assume her new role on April 15, succeeding Interim Dean Dmitry Bam as head of the state's only law school, which is part of the public University of Maine System.
Bam has served as interim dean since July 2019, succeeding Danielle Conway, a 2017 Mainebiz Woman to Watch honoree who left to become dean of Penn State's Dickinson School of Law.
Maine Law students, faculty and staff are to be formally introduced to Saufley at an April 15 virtual event formally naming her to the position.
“We are eager to celebrate the announcement of our new law school dean but understand that these unprecedented times require accommodations from the norm,” said University of Maine System Chancellor Dannel Malloy in a news release Wednesday.
He also noted that Saufley "is nationally renowned for her accomplishments as a jurist and her commitment to public service," promising more details this week on how those attributes will fit into plans for legal education and service in Maine.
The leadership change comes four months after Maine Law launched a national search for a new dean, setting a target date of July 1 to find someone to lead the institution "in developing a 21st-century legal education environment that requires innovation and a willingness to challenge the status quo," Maine Law said at the time.
Saufley, 65, is a 1976 graduate of the University of Maine at Orono and a 1980 graduate of Maine Law. She served in the Maine attorney general's office for 10 years, becoming one of the state's first female deputy attorneys general.
In December 2001, she was sworn in as Maine's first female chief justice by then-Gov. Angus King. She is currently in her third term, where she will remain until April 14.
'Legal acumen and common sense'
Gov. Janet Mills welcomed the appointment.
“The judiciary is fortunate to have had such a dynamic and thoughtful leader as Chief Justice Saufley," she said. "I have appreciated her perspective and our partnership on critical issues such as the opioid crisis, as well as our collaborative work to strengthen the judicial branch and improve the lives of Maine people."
Mills added: "I have known Justice Saufley for 30 years and have practiced before her in the District Court, the Supreme Court and the Law Court. At every level she has demonstrated legal acumen and common sense. While she will be missed on our highest court, her leadership and experience will be a significant asset to the University of Maine School of Law and the next generation of legal professionals in Maine.
"On behalf of the people of Maine, I thank Justice Saufley for her service to our state and offer my sincere congratulations on this well-deserved appointment.”
Mills said that in consultation with the Governor’s Judicial Nominations Advisory Committee, her administration will begin the process of reviewing candidates to succeed Saufley as chief justice.
Until a successor is named, the senior associate Justice, Andrew Mead, will assume her duties, as required by law.
While Mills aims to nominate a successor in coming months, she said it may take longer given that the Legislature has adjourned because of the public health crisis.
Several retired Maine Supreme Judicial Court justices are available to sit and decide cases by assignment so that there may be a full complement on the court, Mills said in her announcement.
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