PORTLAND — A former Maine-based federal prosecutor is the new chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maine.

Officials say Judge Nancy Torresen became chief judge on Tuesday. She succeeds Judge John A. Woodcock, whose term as chief judge ended this month. Torresen worked for the United States Attorney’s Office for the district from 1990 to 2011, handling civil and criminal cases. She previously worked at the Williams & Connolly law firm in Washington, D.C.

President Barack Obama appointed Torresen a federal judge in October 2011. She was the first female federal judge in the state.

Woodcock became chief judge in January 2009. He will still serve as a district judge.

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