BANGOR – A veteran Maine Superior Court justice has been nominated to replace Justice Howard H. Dana Jr. on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.

Gov. John E. Baldacci announced Wednesday that he has asked Andrew M. Mead, 55, of Bangor to serve on the bench of the state’s high court.

Dana, 65, of Portland announced earlier this year that he would retire Friday, March 2.

“Justice Mead is a respected, bright and hard-working individual with an impressive resume and an outstanding reputation,” Baldacci said in a press release announcing Mead’s nomination. “I have no doubt that his experience, knowledge and enthusiasm will continue to serve him and the people of Maine well on the Supreme Court.”

Mead spent the better part of morning in his office in the Penobscot County Courthouse in Bangor fielding phone calls from his almost fellow high court justices.

“I’m totally thrilled beyond words,” Mead told Maine Supreme Judicial Court Justice Jon D. Levy. “I have a lot of affection and respect for you guys, and I’m thrilled I’ll be your colleague.”

After nearly two decades as a trial judge, Mead said that he has become more interested in the abstract legal issues that arise in many of the cases that come before him than he was in his early years on the bench. He also expects that his working style will change.

“As a superior court judge, I’m kind of a solo flier,” he said Wednesday. “I do work very much alone. The Law Court is a collegial organization. They work closely together on every case. That will be a new experience that I’m looking forward to.”

It was the second time in less than two years that Baldacci has nominated someone from his hometown to the state’s high court. In April 2005, the governor nominated attorney Warren M. Silver, 59, of Bangor. He was confirmed swiftly.

A hearing before the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee on Mead’s nomination has not been scheduled but is expected to be held in about two weeks. The Maine Senate must act on the governor’s nomination within 40 days of the announcement.

Mead’s salary as a state supreme court justice will be $108,498 compared to his $101,732 annual salary as a superior court justice.

Defense attorneys and prosecutors were equally enthusiastic about Mead’s nomination.

“That’s fantastic,” attorney Brett Baber of Bangor said when told of the governor’s announcement. “Justice Mead has a very strong legal intellect and has the ability to apply the law in a compassionate manner. From his experience on the trial bench, one of his strengths on the Law Court will be in recognizing that human interests are involved in every case.”

Michael Roberts, deputy district attorney for Penobscot County, echoed Baber’s praise.

“His years of experience will help him analyze cases because he’ll have a clear idea of what happened in the courtroom and not just be viewing a cold transcript,” Roberts said. “He cares deeply about the people involved in every case and I think that will benefit the Law Court.”

Mead’s nomination induced a similar positive reaction from legislators.

“Solid, solid credentials with a broad range of experience,” Sen. Barry Hobbins, D-Saco, a co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said.

House Minority Leader Josh Tardy, R-Newport, who practices law in Penobscot County, also endorsed the governor’s choice.

“I’m absolutely thrilled with the nomination,” he said. “Justice Mead is very well respected in the legal community and will continue the great tradition that the Law Court enjoys. He fits it.”

Born in Glen Ridge, N.J., Mead spent his early years in Rumford, his mother’s hometown, before returning to the Garden State. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Maine in 1973 and his law degree from New York Law School in New York City three years later.

Mead said that he came to work for Paine, Lynch & Weatherbee in 1976 because the Bangor firm offered him the opportunity to do trial work immediately. In 1979, he became the first judge of newly established Penobscot Tribal Court, which he served on until his appointment to the District Court bench in 1990. He was elevated to the Superior Court in 1992.

In addition to his court duties, Mead teaches courses at the University of Maine and the University of Phoenix Online.

Mead’s wife Kelly Mead is a teacher in Bangor. Their son and daughter, both graduates of Bangor High School, attend college in Massachusetts.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Fast facts on Andrew Mead

1951 – Born in New Jersey

1973 – Earns bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of Maine

1976 – Earns law degree from New York Law School

1976 – Joins Paine, Lynch & Weatherbee in Bangor

1979 – Appointed judge of the Penobscot Tribal Court

1981 – Joins Mitchell & Stearns in Bangor

1990 – Appointed Maine District Court judge

1992 – Appointed Maine Superior Court justice

2007 – Nominated to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court