Washington, D.C. – Joshua Dunlap, the nominee for the Maine seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, has received a unanimous “Well Qualified” rating from the American Bar Association (ABA) – the highest possible rating for a judicial nominee. Mr. Dunlap is a partner at the law firm of Pierce Atwood LLP in Portland and graduated first in his class from Notre Dame Law School.
“A member of the Standing Committee contacted members of the judiciary and the bar to conduct a confidential peer review of the nominee’s professional competence, temperament, and integrity,” wrote Pamela J. Roberts, Chair of the ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary. “The Standing Committee is of the unanimous opinion that Joshua D. Dunlap is ‘Well Qualified’ to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.”
“Joshua Dunlap’s unanimous ‘Well Qualified’ rating from the American Bar Association reflects his exceptional legal skill and integrity,” said Senator Collins. “From graduating first in his class at Notre Dame Law School to his distinguished record in appellate and trial courts, Mr. Dunlap has demonstrated the professionalism and experience that make him an excellent choice for the First Circuit. He will serve Maine and our nation well in this critical role.”
Raised in Vassalboro and a resident of Scarborough, Mr. Dunlap currently co-chairs Pierce Atwood’s Appellate & Amici team in its litigation group. His practice in federal and state courts over the past fifteen years has involved a wide range of common law, statutory, and constitutional claims. Mr. Dunlap currently serves as the chair for the Maine Appellate Rules Committee, to which he was appointed by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.
Mr. Dunlap assisted the Honorable William J. Kayatta, Jr., and Ralph I. Lancaster, Jr., when they were appointed by the United States Supreme Court to serve as “Special Masters” presiding over original jurisdiction proceedings before the Supreme Court. Prior to returning to Pierce Atwood, Mr. Dunlap clerked for the Honorable Paul J. Kelly, Jr., of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
Click here to read the ratings of Article III and Article IV judicial nominees released by the ABA.
Click here to read the full letter from the ABA to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Mr. Dunlap’s qualifications.
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