AUGUSTA – The top lawyer for the LePage administration, Avery Day, is leaving state government for private practice.

Day said Wednesday that he gave his notice about six weeks ago and has already left the administration and intends to start a new law firm in Augusta with former colleague Dan Stevens, also an Augusta-based attorney.

Day, a Yarmouth resident and former State House lobbyist, once worked for U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in Washington. He said he wants a more regular schedule so he can spend more time with his family, including his two children, ages 6 and 8. “I’m hoping to slow it down a bit and focus on the kids and all that,” Day said. He said his role in the new firm will be focused on wills, estates and real estate law, as opposed to political work.

Day said he plans to steer clear of politics as much as possible. “That’s the plan at least,” Day said.

Peter Steele, LePage’s communications director, said the administration is reviewing candidates to replace Day, who is the fifth general counsel to join and leave the LePage administration in the last six years. Day took the post in the Governor’s Office in March of 2015. He also served as LePage’s policy adviser on environmental and natural resource issues and served as interim commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection.

Day said he left the administration on good terms with LePage. “There was no big blowup or anything, on my last day we shook hands and everything,” Day said.


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