AUGUSTA — Belmont's Eric Walker, formerly deputy district attorney for Waldo County, was among five freshly appointed Maine judges sworn in at a robing ceremony in Kennebec County Court Friday, May 2.

Four Supreme Court Justices, including Leigh Saufley, looked on as Governor Paul LePage administered the oath of office in front of a filled courtroom.

Justice Saufley spoke before the ceremony began, recognizing Justice Donald Alexander, who recently broke the long-standing record for longest time serving as a Maine judge. Alexander, who was nominated in 1978, has been reappointed by four different governors during his 35-year, five-month tenure.

The previous record was 35 years, one month and 25 days, held by Supreme Court Justice William P. Whitehouse, whose tenure ended in 1913.

"He is, as of this afternoon, 157 years old," Justice Saufley joked to a smiling Alexander.

Saufley also recognized Governor LePage, saying she wanted to offer, "her sincerest thanks to Paul LePage for his work."

Saufley was particularly pleased with LePage's "non-partisan approach" to appointing judges.

Maine's governor spoke briefly before the ceremony, telling the room he is confident the newest additions "are going to do a phenomenal job in Maine."

In LePage's three years in office he has nominated or reappointed 29 of 60 sitting Maine judges. Soon to be practicing amongst them, Waldo County's very own Eric Walker.

"It's very unusual to have that many judges sworn in at one time," Walker said of the group. "There usually aren't that many positions available at the same time, but there were a number of judges retiring and some becoming justices," he said.

The judges included Andrew Benson, of Athens; William Schneider, of Durham; Lance Walker, of Falmouth (no relation to Eric Walker); and Barbara Raimondi, of Auburn, all took the oath before LePage, each with family members standing nearby to offer support.

Walker was joined by his children and wife Susan.

"My kids were pretty excited about meeting the Governor and getting to shake his hand. They couldn't wait to tell their school friends Monday," he said.

"To have so much of my family there was remarkable," he said. "I come from a large family. I'm one of five children and my wife is one of eight, so we had to limit guests to both our mothers, brothers and sisters."

Many colleagues also made the journey to show support for their former coworker, including Waldo County District Attorney Geoffrey Rushlau and Assistant District Attorney Patricia Mador.

Walker fumbled briefly after completing the oath, struggling momentarily to pull on the new robe.

"Is this the first test?" he chuckled, before a laughing audience. "Nowhere to go but up from here.”

Governor LePage also administered the oath to two new Superior Court justices, Daniel Billings, of Bowdoinham, and Robert Mullen, of Waterville.

Although Friday's robing ceremony is a day at Kennebec County Court he'll never forget, it is not the only momentous day in Walker's career to take place in the very same courthouse room.

"It was a homecoming of sorts,” he said. “I was sworn in as an attorney in the same courtroom 22 years ago. The majesty of that courtroom... it's just such an amazing place."

Following a reception at the courthouse, Walker had to get creative with his celebration plans.

"We considered going to a restaurant to celebrate, but with the number of people it wasn't an option, so we had everyone over to our home."

Walker began training Monday, May 5, which takes place in Portland and Augusta, after which he will begin seven weeks of training on the job. Walker expects to hear his first case around the start of July.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com