A Bangor criminal defense lawyer may be appointed to a judicial seat.
Harris Mattson, 40, will have a confirmation hearing before the Maine Legislature Committee on Judiciary to determine if he will be a district judge. It’s unknown where he would serve if appointed.
He is one of three lawyers nominated by Gov. Janet Mills to be district court judges and the only person from Penobscot County. There are 42 district court judges in Maine and a person nominated by the governor goes through a committee review and must be confirmed by the Senate.
Mattson was admitted to the bar in 2011 and currently works at Silverstein & Mattson, a criminal defense law firm in Bangor.
Being considered for district judge is an honor, Mattson said. He said he enjoys finding the right answer to a legal question more than advocating for one side or the other.
“I believe in the American judicial system and in the rule of law — particularly due process and equality before the law — and I wish to contribute to that system,” Mattson said.
Mattson grew up in Freedom and attended Syracuse University College of Law.
His confirmation hearing is at 10:15 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9. A district judge is appointed for seven years.
