Chief justice stepping down

Photo by Sarah Beth Glicksteen / Concord Monitor

New Hampshire Chief Justice John Broderick speaks during an editorial review board in Concord on Thursday, April 8, 2010.Purchase photo reprints at PhotoExtra »

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Chief Justice John Broderick announced this afternoon that he is leaving the state Supreme Court. in November. He has been with the court 15 years and has served as chief justice for the last six.

Court spokeswoman Laura Kiernan said Broderick told staff of his plans at 1:15 p.m. today and assured them he wasn't leaving over deep cuts to the judicial budget. Broderick has been the court's most public advocate in recent months, passionately urging lawmakers not to cut the judicial budget further.

Broderick also assured staff yesterday that illness is not behind his decision to step down. Nor is he retiring, Kiernan said.

"He said, 'I don't intend to retire,' '" Kiernan said. "And he said, 'I refuse to use the word.' " In a letter he sent to Gov. John Lynch today, Broderick said he will return to the private sector. But Kiernan said he doesn't yet know what he will do.

"It was never my intent to stay too long," Broderick wrote to the governor.

Kiernan said Broderick  told his assistant his plans last October but hadn't told the rest of the staff until yesterday. "There was an audible gasp in the room," Kiernan said. She said Broderick, 62, has forged a close relationship with employees, especially by sending them personal notes when their kids enjoy success or they experience hard times.

"I think people are very sad to see him go," Kiernan said. She said Broderick was declining media interviews today. She said the selection of the next chief justice lies with the governor's office.