Congressman Mike Michaud, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, and Senator Angus King have announced the formation of a judicial screening panel that will assess candidates to fill an upcoming judgeship vacancy on the United States District Court, District of Maine. The panel was formed due to the Honorable George Z. Singal taking senior status on July 31, 2013.

"We're honored that such an experienced and diverse group of Mainers has agreed to serve on this screening panel," said the delegation members. "We'd like to thank them for their service, and we're confident they'll be instrumental in helping us make a highly qualified recommendation to President Obama."

The deadline for candidates to submit application materials for consideration by the screening panel is Friday, February 22, 2013 at 5 PM. All interested candidates should submit a cover letter highlighting qualifications, a resume, and 3 letters of recommendation to judicial@mail.house.gov.

The screening panel will be chaired by Peter J. DeTroy of Norman, Hanson & DeTroy in Portland. The 11 other members of the panel can be found below:

Michael T. Bigos -- Attorney at Berman & Simmons in Lewiston
Joseph Baiungo -- Attorney in Belfast
James Case -- Attorney at McTeague Higbee in Topsham
Jack Comart -- Litigation Director for Maine Equal Justice Partners in Augusta
Phyllis Gardiner -- Assistant Attorney General in Augusta
Bruce Gerrity -- Attorney at Preti Flaherty in Augusta
James "Red" MacMichael -- retired Judge from Skowhegan
Thimi Mina -- Attorney at McCloskey, Mina and Cunniff in Portland
Patricia Peard -- Attorney at Bernstein Shur Sawyer Nelson in Portland
Dawn Pelletier -- Attorney at Pelletier Faircloth in Bangor
Deirdre M. Smith -- Professor of Law and Director of the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic at UMaine Law in Portland