(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he is nominating the Honorable Christine E. Keller of Hartford to serve as a judge on the Connecticut Appellate Court. In addition, he is nominating 15 other Connecticut attorneys to become judges of the Superior Court.
Judge Keller first was sworn in as a Superior Court judge in August 1993.
“Since 1993, Judge Keller has served in the Superior Court with distinction, particularly with her work on family and juvenile issues,” Governor Malloy said. “She will bring with her a great amount of experience and competence to the Appellate Court.”
“I greatly appreciate the confidence the Governor has in my ability to assume this position, and, if I am confirmed by the legislature, I promise to continue to serve the people of this state as diligently, compassionately and fairly as I can,” Judge Keller said. “In so doing, I will draw on my 24 years of experience presiding over cases in all divisions of the court – family, civil, criminal and especially, juvenile – as well the knowledge I have acquired serving in administrative positions within the Judicial Branch. Added to that experience will be what I have learned from my years of practice as a legal aid, municipal and real estate lawyer.”
Prior to becoming a judge, Keller served as a family support magistrate from 1989 to 1993, worked in private practice from 1987 to 1989, served as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Hartford from 1984 to 1987, and was a staff attorney with Neighborhood Legal Services in Hartford from 1977 to 1984. She received her B.A. from Smith College and her J.D. from University of Connecticut School of Law.
Judge Keller’s nomination will fill the vacancy being left by the Honorable Carmen Espinosa, who has been nominated to serve as a justice on the Supreme Court. The nomination is conditioned on the General Assembly acting favorably on the nomination of Judge Espinosa.
The 15 Superior Court nominees will fill 30 vacancies on that court. Governor Malloy said that he does not intend on filling the remaining 15 positions at this time.
The nominees are:
- Michael A. Albis of East Haven: Albis serves as a principal in the firm of Hilcoff & Albis, LLC in East Haven, is the former Judge of Probate for the District of East Haven, and is a member of the adjunct faculty of Quinnipiac University in the Legal Studies Department. He received his B.A. from Yale University, and his J.D. with honors from University of Connecticut School of Law.
“I’m very grateful for the Governor for this opportunity,” Albis said. “I found my service as a probate judge in the past to be the most fulfilling work I’ve ever done and I’m looking forward to the challenge of doing judicial work at the Superior Court level.”
- Thomas D. Colin of Ridgefield: Colin is a partner with Schoonmaker, George, Colin & Blomberg, P.C. in Greenwich. Previously, he was an associate with Cummings & Lockwood in Stamford. He received his B.S. from Long Island University and his J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law.
“I am deeply honored and grateful to Governor Malloy for this nomination,” Colin said. “If confirmed, I look forward to the privilege of serving the people of the State of Connecticut as a Superior Court Judge.”
- Melanie L. Cradle of Middlefield: Cradle is a Senior Assistant State’s Attorney for the Ansonia-Milford Judicial District, where she has served since 2002. Previously, she served as an associate with Lyle Hume and Associates and as an adjunct professor at Housatonic Community College. She received her B.A. from Adelphi University, and her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law.
Cradle said, “I would like to thank the Governor for this tremendous honor in nominating me. I commend his continued commitment to diversity and competence on the bench. If confirmed by the legislative process, I promise that each individual before me will be treated fairly, and with dignity and respect.”
- Karen A. Goodrow of Chester: Goodrow is Director of the Connecticut Innocence Project. Previously, she served as a public defender for the Tolland Judicial District, as an assistant public defender for the Capital Defense and Trial Services Unit, and as an assistant public defender for the Hartford Judicial District. She received her B.A. from Southern Connecticut State University and her J.D. from Western New England University School of Law.
“It is a great honor for me to be considered for such a position,” Goodrow said. “I am grateful for the many opportunities I have had and for the mentors who have helped me throughout my legal career. I have been blessed with extraordinary legal experiences, and with a supportive network of family and friends, without which I could not have envisioned this possibility.”
- Sheila A. Huddleston of West Hartford: Huddleston is a partner with Shipman & Goodwin LLP in Hartford. Previously, she served as an attorney with Aetna Life and Casualty. She received her B.A. and M.A. from Yale University and her J.D. from Yale Law School.
“I am honored that Governor Malloy has nominated me to serve as a judge of Superior Court, and I will do my best to be worthy of that honor,” Huddleston said. “I have loved the private practice of law, and I’m grateful to my partners at Shipman & Goodwin, who have allowed me to spend a substantial portion of my time over nearly 20 years in pro bono work. I am even more grateful to have the opportunity now to enter into public service so that I can spend all of my time working to ensure equal justice for everyone.”
- Michael P. Kamp of Hamden: Kamp is a principal in the litigation department of Loughlin Fitzgerald in Wallingford. Previously, he was a principal with McNerney, Fitzgerald & Tiernan in New Haven, and an assistant corporation counsel with the Town of Hamden. He received his B.A. from Boston College and his J.D. from Emory University School of Law.
“I am deeply honored that Governor Malloy has nominated me to be a judge of the Superior Court,” Kamp said. “I look forward to serving the people of the State of Connecticut with dedication and impartiality, keeping in mind the great responsibilities of this office. I am grateful for this opportunity.”
- Charles T. Lee of Greenwich: Lee is a partner with Anderson, Kill & Olick in Stamford. Previously, he was a partner with McCarter & English as well as Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker LLP. He received his A.B. from Harvard College and his J.D. from Columbia Law School.
Lee said, “I am grateful to receive this judicial nomination from Governor Malloy. I have had a fulfilling career in the private practice of law. A judgeship is an honor and a public trust, and I will do my best to be worthy of it.”
- Jason M. Lobo of Suffield: Lobo is a Supervising Assistant Attorney General for the State of Connecticut. Previously, he was an attorney with Spruance & Associates, P.C. He received his A.B. from Dartmouth College and his J.D. from University of Connecticut School of Law.
“I am extremely honored to be nominated by Governor Malloy and, if approved by both the Judiciary Committee and General Assembly, am excited at the opportunity to continue serving the people of Connecticut in that capacity,” Lobo said.
- Shelley A. Marcus of Branford: Marcus is an attorney with the Marcus Law Firm, having experience in private practice for over twenty years. She has also served in various governmental positions including chief screening counsel to the House Democrats. She received her B.A. from Albertus Magnus College, cum laude, and her J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law with honors.
Marcus said, “I am honored to have been nominated by Governor Malloy to be a Superior Court judge. I look forward to the confirmation process and to serving on the bench along with the many distinguished members of the Connecticut judiciary.”
- Maurice B. Mosley of Waterbury: Mosley is counsel to the City of Waterbury’s school department, and is President and CEO of Granville Academy of Waterbury. Previously, he was the owner and managing partner of the law firm Mosley & Sinclair, served five terms as a state representative in the Connecticut General Assembly, and taught elementary school in Waterbury. He received his B.S. from South Carolina State University, an M.S. from Central Connecticut State University, and a J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law.
“I am humbled and honored at the opportunity to serve the people of the State of Connecticut as a Superior Court judge,” Mosley said. “I thank Governor Malloy for having the faith in my character, temperament, and abilities to nominate me for a judicial appointment.”
- Thomas G. Moukawsher of Groton: Moukawsher is a founding member of Moukawsher & Walsh, LLC with offices in West Hartford and Groton. Previously, he served as a state representative in the Connecticut General Assembly. He received his B.A. from the Citadel, and his J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law.
“I am deeply honored and grateful that Governor Malloy has chosen to nominate me to this important post,” Moukawsher said. “If confirmed, I will commit myself to advance the cause of justice in our society, applying fairly the rule of law to all matters that come before me.”
- Andrew Roraback of Goshen: Roraback is a partner with Roraback and Roraback Law Firm in Torrington. Previously, he served as a state senator in the Connecticut General Assembly for six terms, and as a state representative for three terms. He received his B.A. from Yale University, and his J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School.
“I am deeply honored and extremely grateful to Governor Malloy for nominating me to this important position,” Roraback said. “I welcome the opportunity to continue my commitment to serve the public as a member of the Judicial Branch if my nomination is confirmed by the legislature.”
- Hope Colleen Seeley of Coventry: Seeley is a partner with Santos & Seeley, P.C. in Hartford. In addition, she has served as a long-time instructor at the University of Connecticut School of Law. She received her B.A. from the University of Connecticut, and her J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law.
“I am honored to be nominated by Governor Malloy to be a judge of the Superior Court and to have the opportunity to serve the citizens of Connecticut,” Seeley said.
- Robyn Stewart Johnson of Glastonbury: Stewart Johnson is a Senior Assistant State’s Attorney for the State of Connecticut. Previously, she was an instructor with the Southern Connecticut State University’s Sociology Department, was a senior research associate with American University, and was an Assistant District Attorney for the Hampden County District Attorney Office in Massachusetts. She received her B.S. from Southern Connecticut State University, and her J.D. from Western New England University School of Law.
“For a community prosecutor with experience in housing, drug and domestic violence courts, this is an extreme honor,” Johnson said. “I thank Governor Malloy for his commitment to diverse legal careers and cultural backgrounds.”
- Anthony D. Truglia, Jr. of Stamford: Truglia is a Stamford-based attorney with diverse experience in commercial law, specializing in real estate, litigation and corporate matters. He received his B.A. from the University of Virginia, and his J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Truglia said, “I feel very honored by this nomination and by the Governor’s confidence. We have an excellent judicial department in this state and I look forward to joining it and making my contribution to it.”