Daniel Everett "Dan" Wathen[6] (born November 4, 1939, in Easton, Maine)[6] is a Maine lawyer and politician. He was Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court from March 1992 until October 2001, when he resigned to run for Governor of Maine as a Republican. At the time of his announcement, many pollsters and academics did not believe Wathen would factor into the 2002 gubernatorial election.[7] He was replaced as Chief Justice by Leigh Saufley.
Daniel Wathen | |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court | |
| In office March 20, 1992 – October 4, 2001[1] | |
| Appointed by | John R. McKernan Jr. |
| Preceded by | Vincent L. McKusick[1] |
| Succeeded by | Leigh I. Saufley |
| Associate Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court | |
| In office August 31, 1981 – March 20, 1992[1] | |
| Appointed by | Joseph E. Brennan |
| Justice of the Maine Superior Court | |
| In office September 16, 1977 – August 31, 1981[2] | |
| Appointed by | James B. Longley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 4, 1939 Easton, Maine, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Judith C. Foren[5][3] |
| Education | Ricker College (AB) University of Maine (JD) University of Virginia (LLM) |
Wathen is a native of Easton in Aroostook County, Maine.[7] He graduated from Ricker College in Houlton and earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Maine School of Law.[7] He also holds a Master of Laws degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.[8]
As of 2010, Wathen oversaw court-ordered improvements in mental health services. Wathen testified before the Health and Human Services committee of the Maine legislature that cuts to mental health services would be "illusory" and the proposed cuts would be spent elsewhere, such as in prison services for mentally ill people. Attorney General Janet Mills defended Governor John Baldacci's plan to cut mental health services.[9]
As of 2011, Wathen was the Board Chairman of the Maine Turnpike Authority.[10]
Since 2002, he has served as Of Counsel for Pierce Atwood LLP, a law firm which has an office based in Augusta, Maine.[8]
In April 2013, Governor Paul R. LePage nominated him to serve as Co-Chair of the Maine Unemployment Investigation Commission.[11][12]
Following a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, in 2023, committed by a mentally disturbed Army reservist, Governor Janet Mills appointed Wathen to chair a seven-member independent commission to investigate the tragedy. The commission concluded that both police and the Army Reserve missed opportunities to prevent the shooting.[13]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Maine Supreme Court Chief and Associate Justices | Maine State Legislature". Archived from the original on 2019-11-14. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
- ^ "Cleaves Law Library [SJCBios]". Archived from the original on 2019-11-14. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
- ^ a b Easton High School, Maine (Class of 1957) Yearbook
- ^ "University of Maine Commencement (Class of 1965)". Archived from the original on 2019-11-14. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
- ^ "James A. Foren". 27 May 2009. Archived from the original on 2019-11-14. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
- ^ a b Interview with Dan Wathen by Andrea L’Hommedieu
- ^ a b c Higgins, A. J. (October 4, 2001). "Chief Justice Wathen Resigns to Run for Governor". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
- ^ a b Pierce Atwood LLP profile
- ^ "Wathen Says Mental Health Cuts Won't Work". MPBN. January 22, 2010. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
- ^ Russell, Eric (December 15, 2011). "Former Maine Turnpike Authority director reaches settlement to repay $430,000 — Maine Politics — Bangor Daily News". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
- ^ "Governor Announces Co-Chairs for Blue Ribbon Commission". Archived from the original on 2019-11-14.
- ^ "Governor LePage Names Daniel Wathen as Co-Chair of Unemployment Investigation Commission | Pierce Atwood". Archived from the original on 2019-11-14.
- ^ Army and police missed opportunities to potentially stop Maine mass shooter, report says, CBS News (August 20, 2024).