CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today named Emily Rice of Concord as co-chair of the Judicial Selection Commission. Rice succeeds Jill Blackmer of Hopkinton, an attorney with Orr and Reno in Concord, who recently stepped down as co-chair of the commission.

The commission was created in 2005 through an Executive Order issued by Gov. Lynch, with the purpose of vetting candidates for judicial posts.

“I created the Judicial Selection Commission to ensure that we are finding the best qualified people to serve in our judicial system,” Gov. Lynch said. “I want to thank Emily for agreeing to co-chair the commission. Her in-depth legal expertise and experience will help ensure the Judicial Selection Commission continues to fulfill its important role.”

Rice is an attorney with Orr and Reno. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Boston University, and she received her law degree from Northeastern University Law School. Prior to entering private practice in 1993, Rice served as a senior assistant attorney general and chief of the Bureau of Civil Law in the Attorney General’s Office.

She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the New Hampshire Bar Association’s E. Donald Dufresne Award for Outstanding Professionalism.

“I want to thank Governor Lynch for giving me this opportunity to participate in a process that has produced a number of quality candidates for judgeships. I look forward to working to ensure the Judicial Selection Commission continues to find highly-qualified candidates,” Rice said.

This eleven-member commission is comprised of both attorneys and non-attorneys.

The Judicial Selection Commission evaluates applications based on factors including legal knowledge and ability, judicial temperament, integrity, impartiality and commitment to justice.

When there is a judicial vacancy, the Commission provides Gov. Lynch with a list of qualified candidates for consideration. From those candidates, the Governor makes a nomination to the Executive Council.

Philip Waystack of Colebrook, an attorney with Waystack Frizzell in Colebrook, serves as the other co-chair of the commission.