Rell Nominates Grand Juror For Supreme Court

Sounds ominous, doesn’t it?

Judge Dennis G. Eveleigh served as the grand juror in the 18-month investigation of Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez that led to his two arrests.  Now, Gov. M. Jodi Rell wants Eveleigh to serve on the state’s highest court.

She’s also nominated Robert Genuario (her budget secretary) and John Danaher (her public safety commissioner) to the superior court bench.

The press release is below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE             CONTACT: Rich Harris, 860-524-7313

March 24, 2010                                                                rich.harris@ct.gov

Governor Rell Nominates Eveleigh to

Supreme Court, 10 to Superior Court

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she is nominating Superior Court Judge Dennis G. Eveleigh of Hamden to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Christine S. Vertefeuille and nominating 10 new judges to fill vacancies on the Superior Court bench.

“Christine Vertefeuille has been a thoughtful and measured jurist during her decade on the Supreme Court bench,” Governor Rell said. “The trust we place in justices of the Supreme Court is immense – yet it is a challenge Justice Vertefeuille has risen to meet time and again. Whether dealing with fine points of the law or sweeping issues of justice, she has long given the people of our state the benefit of her reason, her compassion and her knowledge of the statutes. I thank her for her many years of service to the State of Connecticut and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”

Justice Vertefeuille, a graduate of Trinity College, received her law degree from the University of Connecticut in 1975. She was in private practice from 1975 to 1989, when she was appointed to the Superior Court. She was appointed to the Appellate Court in 1999 and made a Justice of the Supreme Court on January 3, 2000. She served as the Administrative Judge of the Appellate System from June 1, 2000 to July 31, 2006.

Judge Eveleigh, 62, has served on the Superior Court in Waterbury since October 1998. A 1969 graduate of Wittenberg University, he obtained his law degree from the University of Connecticut in 1972 and worked as an attorney in private practice prior to being nominated to the bench.

“I have every confidence in Judge Eveleigh and I am grateful he is willing to take on the task of serving on our state’s highest court,” Governor Rell said. “The Supreme Court is the final arbiter of issues that touch all of our lives. Service on the court requires experience, a depth of knowledge and an understanding of the impact that the law can have on everyday life. It also requires a commitment to making the actions and operations of our courts open and transparent to average Connecticut residents. I know that Judge Eveleigh possesses these qualities and shares my commitment to openness – and I believe the Legislature will agree.”

The Governor is nominating 10 people to the Superior Court, filling vacancies left by promotion, retirement or other moves. There are currently 20 vacancies on the Superior Court bench, including the opening created by the elevation of Judge Eveleigh.

“These nominees are all people who have already served their communities – and in many cases, the state – with distinction,” Governor Rell said. “They have records of service that go beyond the purely professional to include work with charitable and social organizations, educational institutions and other groups. In every case, they have demonstrated the thoughtful, sensitive and informed judgment that is needed for people who we place in such a prominent position of power and decision-making.

“I am proud to nominate these 10 candidates,” the Governor said. “These positions need to be filled at this time so that we can ensure the continued efficient progress of business in our court system. All of these nominees are immensely qualified and I look forward to their confirmation by the General Assembly.”

The nominees submitted by Governor Rell are:

• Laura Flynn Baldini, 39, of West Hartford (Republican): Currently an attorney in private practice, Baldini is a 1992 graduate of Yale University who obtained her law degree from Seton Hall University in 1996. She worked previously as an attorney at Updike, Kelly & Spellacy from 1998 to 2003 and at Ohrenstein & Brown from 1996 to 1998.
• John L. Carbonneau, 54, of East Lyme (Independent): Carbonneau currently works as an attorney in private practice. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in 1977 and his law degree from the Catholic University of America in 1980. He worked previously as an attorney at Kaplan & Brennan from 1996 to 2000 and at the Connecticut Laborers’ Legal Services Fund from 1984 to 1996.
• Susan Q. Cobb, 49, of West Hartford (Democrat): An Assistant Attorney General for the State of Connecticut from 1994 to the present, Cobb received her undergraduate degree from Catholic University of America in 1983 and her law degree from the University of Connecticut in 1988. She worked previously for Tyler, Cooper & Alcorn from 1989 to 1994.
• Susan A. Connors, 44, of Old Lyme (Republican): Connors, an attorney with Krevolin, Roth & Connors since 1995, received both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Connecticut, graduating with her law degree in 1991.
• John A. Danaher III, 59, of West Hartford (Democrat): Currently the state’s Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, Danaher is a 1972 graduate of Fairfield University. He received a master’s degree from the University of Hartford in 1977 and his law degree from the University of Connecticut in 1980. He served more than 20 years as an Assistant United States Attorney and interim United States Attorney; he also worked for Day, Berry & Howard from 1981 to 1986.
• Jane B. Emons, 59, of Woodbridge (Democrat): Emons has served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Connecticut since 1996 and worked previously in the New Haven State’s Attorney’s office from 1978 to 1988. She graduated from Kirkland College in 1971, received a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina in 1972 and obtained her law degree from Suffolk University in 1977.
• Robert L. Genuario, 57, of Norwalk (Republican): Genuario has been Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management (OPM), the Governor’s budget agency, since 2005. He served previously as state Senator from the 25th District, representing his native Norwalk, from 1991 to 2005. He also served 10 years on the Norwalk Board of Education, from 1981 to 1991, and worked as an attorney in private practice from 1978 to 2005. He received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Villanova University.
• Brian J. Leslie, 42, of Wallingford (Republican): An Assistant State’s Attorney since 2000, Leslie is a 1990 graduate of Fairfield University and received his law degree from Boston College in 1994. He worked previously as an attorney for Farrell, Leslie & Grochowski from 1994 to 2000.
• Kathleen McNamara, 56, of East Hartford (Democrat): A Senior Assistant State’s Attorney, McNamara has been with the State’s Attorney’s office since 1990. A former East Hartford police officer, she obtained her law degree from Western New England School of Law while serving as an officer. She served in the East Hartford department from 1979 to 1990. McNamara obtained her undergraduate degree from Northeastern University in 1978.
• David M. Sheridan, 54, of Manchester (Democrat): An attorney with Levy & Droney since 1990, Sheridan graduated from the University of Arizona in 1981 with two undergraduate degrees. He received his law degree from the University of Connecticut in 1985. Before joining Levy & Droney, Sheridan worked for Cohen & Channin from 1985 to 1990.

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