Bangor lawyer takes oath for judgeship

PORTLAND – Bangor attorney John A. Woodcock took the oath of office Friday as Bangor’s newest U.S. District Court judge surrounded by family, friends and members of the federal bench.

Woodcock, 52, was sworn in by U.S. District Judge Gene Carter during a private ceremony at the Federal Courthouse in Portland. He was confirmed 15 days ago by the U.S. Senate.

A public ceremony in Bangor is being planned for late summer.

In a phone interview following the brief swearing-in ceremony, Woodcock said that he made a short statement – his first as a federal judge – to those attending the low-key event.

“First, I said that this was a great honor, but it was really a great public trust,” he explained. “I also said that I was acutely aware of the competence and brilliance of the Maine judiciary and, in particular, the federal judiciary. I told them that I hope that, with the help of people in the court system, I would be able to attain the level of excellence that the court has traditionally stood for.”

Judges Kermit V. Lipez and Frank M. Coffin of the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals, Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge James B. Haines Jr., and Clerk of the U.S. District Court William S. Brownell also attended Friday’s ceremony.

Woodcock also praised the confirmation process, which he described Friday as “smooth,” but “very detailed and intensive.” He said credit for that went to the two U.S. senators who nominated him to the federal bench, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins.

“It’s a direct reflection of our two senators and the respect that they have garnered in the U.S. Senate,” said Woodcock. “I had earlier attended a presentation by professor [Christian] Potholm [of Bowdoin College] and he described our two senators as the heirs to Margaret Chase Smith. What I had not realized, was that I was supported not just by Sens. Snowe and Collins, but by two Margaret Chase Smiths and that assured a quick confirmation.”

Woodcock said he expects to be in his new office in the federal building in Bangor on Monday morning. He said he’ll spend the next couple of weeks hiring staff before he begins presiding over criminal and civil cases. He added that fellow judges George Z. Singal, Brock Hornby and Carter “have been very gracious” in offering their new colleague assistance.

A graduate of Bowdoin College and the University of Maine Law School, Woodcock earned a master’s degree from the London School of Economics. He has served on several boards of directors, including SAD 22, which comprises Hampden, Winterport and Newburgh, and Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems.

Woodcock is a Bangor native and was a partner in a local law firm for many years. Former partners Peter Weatherbee and John Burlock are carrying on the practice.

Maine’s newest federal judge lives in Hampden with his wife, Beverly. They have three sons.