CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today swore in former state senator Ned Gordon of Bristol as the presiding justice of the Franklin District Court.

"In his professional career and his public service, Ned Gordon has earned a reputation for fairness, openness and integrity. He will bring those same qualities to the Franklin District Court," Gov. Lynch said. " It is a pleasure to swear him in as presiding justice."

Gov. Lynch selected Ned Gordon from candidates nominated by the Judicial Selection Commission. Gov. Lynch created the Judicial Selection Commission to ensure the most comprehensive searches possible for potential judicial candidates.

"His lifelong involvement with the Franklin community and surrounding communities gives him an excellent knowledge of the important challenges facing the Franklin District Court. Moreover, his knowledge and understanding of community issues and the resources available to the community make him an excellent choice for Presiding Justice of the Franklin District Court," Jill Blackmer and Philip Waystack, the chairs of the Commission, wrote to Gov. Lynch in recommending Gordon.

Mr. Gordon is a partner in the Laconia law firm of Wescott, Millham & Dyer where he has practiced since clerking for the New Hampshire Supreme Court in 1990.

In 1992, Mr. Gordon was elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives. In 1994, he was elected to the state Senate, where he served on the Senate Judiciary Committee for four terms. He currently serves as chair of the Legislative Ethics Committee.

An active community member, Mr. Gordon serves on the board of New Futures, the Slim Baker Fund for Outdoor Living in Bristol, and as moderator for the Town of Bristol and of the Bristol Federated Church. He has also served on the boards of the Newfound Area Nursing Association, the Whole Village Family Resource Center in Plymouth, the Community Services Council in Concord, and as incorporator of the Lakes Region Charitable Foundation. He previously served on the Board of Selectman and the Budget Committee in Bristol.

Mr. Gordon graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1971, received an MBA from Boston College in 1981, and received his law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center in 1989.