Contributed photoHOULTON — Stephen Nelson, an attorney in Houlton, has been elected as the president of the Maine State Bar Association.
In the 125 year history of the bar association, there have only been three presidents from Aroostook County — Nelson, George Barnes, also of Houlton, in 1953 and George Blanchard from Presque Isle in 1964. The association has over 3,000 members.
“As part of the position, I have to testify before the Maine State Legislature regarding judicial appointments or other legislation as well as travel to Washington, D.C., both last year and this year, for advocacy for funding of legal services for low-income Mainers,” he said.
Nelson said Maine’s Bar Association is voluntary unlike other states. He was initially appointed to fill a vacancy in Aroostook County in 2009 and was elected vice president in 2014, president-elect in 2015; and was voted president in October of this year.
Before serving on the Board of Governors, Nelson worked on the Continuing Legal Education Committee, setting up programs for attorneys throughout the state. He has been involved in that committee work since 2007.
