NH Governor Names Bernstein Shur Attorney to Judicial Selection Commission

Attorney Emily Gray Rice to Lead Commission Making Recommendations for Judicial Nominations

Manchester, NH, Portland and Augusta, ME (May 6, 2013) – Attorney Emily Gray Rice, a Bernstein Shur shareholder and member of the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group and Litigation Group, has been selected by New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan to co-chair the Judicial Selection Commission.

Citing the need for well-qualified judges, Governor Hassan issued an executive order establishing a Judicial Selection Commission to advise her on nominations for current and future judicial vacancies. The commission will search for qualified candidates, evaluate applicants and make recommendations to the governor.

“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,” said Governor Hassan. “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.”

The Judicial Selection Commission includes members with a wide range of experience, including attorneys working in both the private and public sectors. As co-chair of the commission, Rice will serve a term of three years, with the option of additional terms at the invitation of the governor.

“Exceptional judges are the key to a fair and vibrant legal system,” said Charles E. Miller, Bernstein Shur’s CEO. “Emily is a very well respected and talented litigator. She is an excellent choice to help shape the judicial future of New Hampshire.”

In addition to her service with the commission, Rice is a dedicated pro bono volunteer and served as co-chair of New Hampshire’s first Legal Services Campaign. She is a seasoned mediator and trial lawyer, concentrating on the defense of employment, professional liability and business litigation matters. She handles First Amendment and media law matters and represents a wide range of clients in professional disciplinary proceedings. She serves as an adjunct professor of law in the Daniel Webster Scholars honors program at the University of New Hampshire Law School. Rice is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and recognized by Chambers US: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Benchmark Litigation, Best Lawyers in America and New England Super Lawyers. She received the New Hampshire Bar Association’s E. Donald Dufresne Award for Outstanding Professionalism, and the New Hampshire Women’s Bar Association’s Marilla Ricker Award. In 2013 she was recognized as an Honorary Fellow by the New Hampshire Bar Foundation.

About Bernstein Shur

Widely regarded as one of New England’s most entrepreneurial law firms, Bernstein Shur is a multi-service firm with more than 100 attorneys in offices in ME and New Hampshire. Founded in 1915, the firm provides practical and innovative counsel in the areas of business law, litigation, and municipal law to clients throughout the region and around the world. Bernstein Shur is ME’s exclusive member of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms. More information is available at www.bernsteinshur.com.