Gov. Lynch to Nominate Michael Delaney
To Serve as Attorney General
Delaney, of Manchester, is Former Deputy Attorney General and Homicide Unit Chief, Currently Governor's Legal Counsel
CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch announced today that he will nominate Michael Delaney of Manchester, a former deputy attorney general and chief of the homicide unit, who currently serves as the Governor's legal counsel, to serve as Attorney General. The Governor will make the nomination at next week's Governor and Council Meeting. The Executive Council must confirm the nomination.
Delaney is a veteran of the Department of Justice, having served in the office from 1999 to 2006, heading the homicide unit for 18 months before rising to the rank of Deputy Attorney General in 2004. Since leaving the Attorney General's Office, Delaney has served as legal counsel for Gov. Lynch.
"Mike Delaney has distinguished himself throughout his career in both the public and private sector. Mike Delaney has an impressive record of prosecutions and possesses a keen, legal intellect, strong leadership qualities and a commitment to justice," Gov. Lynch said. "Mike Delaney is widely respected across state government. He has worked well with legislators, state agencies and with law enforcement on important issues facing the state."
"It is a pleasure to nominate Mike Delaney to serve as our next Attorney General," Gov. Lynch said.
Prior to be being named Deputy Attorney General, Delaney served as the Chief of the Homicide Unit in the Attorney General's Office. Delaney was a prosecutor in the Half and Suzanne Zantop murder case, earning a commendation from FBI for his work.
Delaney also successfully handled the State's prosecution of Gary Lee Sampson for the murder of Concord resident Robert "Eli" Whitney. Sampson was also convicted of capital murder in federal court in Boston for the murder of two individuals in Massachusetts.
"I am honored to be nominated by Governor Lynch," Delaney said. "I have a deep respect for the important role of the Department of Justice in our state government, and I appreciate the tireless work performed by the committed men and women at the Attorney General's Office everyday. I look forward to discussing my nomination with the Executive Council."
Delaney graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in political science and Spanish from the College of the Holy Cross in 1991. He received his law degree from Georgetown University in 1994. Prior to joining the Attorney General's Office, Delaney was an attorney with the Manchester firm of Wiggin & Nourie focusing on business litigation.
Previously, he has served on the New Hampshire Bar Association's Ethics Committee and the New Hampshire Supreme Court's Committee on Character and Fitness. Delaney currently serves on the board of the Webster House in Manchester.
He lives in Manchester with his wife, Caroline, and their three young children.
