3 of 4 New Superior Court Judges Have Pierce Law Ties

The New Hampshire Executive Council today approved Governor Lynch’s nominations to the Superior Court.  Of the four nominations, three have strong ties to Franklin Pierce Law Center: Marguerite Wageling, Jacalyn Colburn and David Garfunkel.

At the time of the nominations, Governor Lynch said, "They possess an in-depth knowledge of the law and keen intellects. They come from diverse backgrounds but they have all demonstrated a commitment to justice and to community, qualities essential to our justice system."

Dean John Hutson said, "All of us at Franklin Pierce Law Center can't be more pleased at the selection of alums Marguerite Wageling and Jackie Colburn to the Superior Court bench. They are great representatives of our many graduates who give their careers to the public interest.  David Garfunkel, too, has strong ties to the law center; the high caliber of the Professional Responsibility course he taught as an adjunct is still remembered. New Hampshire has just acquired three fine new Superior Court judges."

Marguerite Wageling graduated from Pierce Law in 1984 and is presently serving as Hillsborough County Attorney; prior to being elected to that position, she served as state and county prosecutor. Andrew Ouellette, Franklin Pierce Law Center '85 and co-worker to
Wageling at the County Attorney's Office said, "It has been a privilege and a pleasure for me to have worked with Marguerite for many years, when we were both Assistant County Attorneys and after she was elected to the office of County Attorney.  Her leadership, energy and commitment to justice have set a very high standard.  It is a matter of particular pride to see an alum of Franklin Pierce Law Center attain such a high and important office. I'm confident her career on the bench will reflect well upon the school."

Jacalyn Colburn, appointed to the Franklin Pierce Law Center Board of Trustees in September, is both a Class of '96 alumna and an adjunct professor. She is the director of legal services at the New Hampshire Public Defender's office and has coached National Trial Teams at FPLC for a number of years.  Of her new position, Professor Chuck Temple, director of the school’s Criminal Practice Clinic says, “She is an ideal choice to serve on the bench. Jackie is a prime example of a Pierce Law graduate who has served the public interest in a tireless and dedicated way for many years. She has also served the students of Pierce law in an extraordinary manner as a trial advocacy and advanced trial advocacy professor.”

David Garfunkel was a long-term adjunct professor at Pierce Law, known for his Professional Responsibility course. Professor Mitchell Simon notes, “David is one of NH's most respected professional responsibility lawyers. Pierce was pleased to have him teach a course on this at the school.” Garfunkel presently practices with the law and lobbying firm of Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell in Concord.

The Governor’s Office has not yet announced the dates on which the new Superior Court judges will be seated.