Valerie Stanfill is the chief justice on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. Gov. Janet Mills appointed Stanfill chief justice of the court on May 10, 2021, to replace Chief Justice Leigh Saufley. The state legislature's Judiciary Committee confirmed her on June 1, 2021. She was unanimously confirmed by the state Senate on June 3, 2021. Stanfill was sworn in on June 8 of that year. In Maine, the position of chief justice is a specific seat on the court (similar to the Supreme Court of the United States) rather than a peer-selected leadership position. Stanfill's current term ends on June 8, 2028. To remain on the bench, the governor must reappoint her to another seven-year term and the state Senate must confirm the reappointment. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court is the state's court of last resort and has seven judgeships. Additionally, it is one of the few state supreme courts that is authorized to issue advisory opinions. These advisory opinions are issued at the request of either the Executive Branch or the Legislative Branch.
