Governor Ned Lamont nominated 20 jurists on March 1 to fill vacancies on the Connecticut Superior Court, and more than half are current CBA members.
“The Connecticut Bar Association congratulates those nominated for judicial appointment by Governor Lamont,” stated CBA President Maggie Castinado. “We are happy to see such a diverse group of CBA members being recognized for their outstanding and exemplary qualifications and experience.”
CBA Members Nominated to the Connecticut Superior Court Bench:
Tamar R. Birckhead is a solo practitioner at Birckhead Law LLC, where she primarily works as appointed counsel representing indigent individuals in criminal and juvenile courts. She is a member of the CBA Child Welfare and Juvenile Law Section Executive Committee.
Corrine A. Boni-Vendola is a partner at Charles and Boni-Vendola, LLC, which she co-founded in 2000. She primarily focuses on family and matrimonial law.
Kristin A. Connors is a named partner at Stockman O’Connor Connors PLLC. Her practice concentration for over thirty years has been complex civil litigation, primarily medical malpractice and product liability actions. She serves on the CBA Health Law Section Executive Committee.
Steven R. Dembo is a partner with Berman Mickelson Dembo and Jacobs, LLC, where he has served as a trial and appellate lawyer practicing in the areas of family law, juvenile, administrative, general litigation, and mediation.
Cody N. Guarnieri is a senior partner and trial attorney at the law firm of Brown, Paindiris and Scott, LLP. His law practice focuses on all aspects of litigation, including representing criminal defendants in Connecticut state and federal courts, representing plaintiffs in civil personal injury and small business litigation, and defending professional license holders before the various departments and boards of the State of Connecticut. He serves on the CBA Lawyer Well-Being Committee, Standing Committee on Professional Ethics, and the Criminal Justice Section Executive Committee.
Cristina M. Lopez is senior counsel in business law at The Hartford, where she provides legal advice to various business units. In her prior role as senior counsel in coverage litigation, she managed complex environmental and construction cases and provided legal advice to the claims organization.
Matthew Necci is of counsel at the Montstream Law Group, and previously was a partner at Halloran and Sage, where he chaired the firm’s Workers’ Compensation practice group. He currently serves as chairman of the board of directors for Special Olympics Connecticut.
Susan E. Nugent is a partner at Murphy and Nugent in New Haven. She also serves as the assistant clerk of the Connecticut Senate.
John P. Regan is a solo practitioner at the Law Office of John Regan, representing a diverse clientele in litigation in civil, criminal, housing, and juvenile matters, including numerous assignments as a special public defender, special needs children and veterans. He is also chairman of the St. John Urban Development Corporation, which provides affordable housing in Stamford.
Eric P. Smith is a partner and trial lawyer at Faxon Law Group, where he represents catastrophic injury victims and their families in tort claims with a focus on medical malpractice. He currently serves as a director on the board of New Haven Legal Assistance Association. He has been practicing law for more than 28 years.
Alayna M. Stone serves as associate attorney general and chief of the Division of Civil Litigation at the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General, overseeing the functions of the office’s Employment, Workers’ Compensation and Labor, Health and Education, Public Safety and General Litigation sections.
Matthew Wax-Krell is a partner at Rogin Nassau LLC, focusing on business litigation. In addition, he serves on the Connecticut Bar Examining Committee, the board of directors for Greater Hartford Legal Aid, and the board of directors for the West Hartford Little League.
In his press release, Governor Lamont stated, “One of the most notable honors of my responsibilities as governor is to fill vacancies in our court system with capable jurists whose qualifications meet the high standards that the people of Connecticut deserve on the bench. This group of nominees I am forwarding to the legislature today continues this administration’s effort to ensure that the people who are serving as judges in our state reflect the diversity, experience, and understanding of the people who live here.”
Governor Lamont also nominated attorneys Nicole Anker, Christine Jean-Louis, Devant J. Joiner, Sara Nadim, Maria C. Rodriguez, Adam R. Schibley, Pedro E. Segarra, Melissa Streeto, Nicole J. Tung, and Colleen Zingaro. Additionally, he nominated Jessica W. Simpson as a family support magistrate. His nominations, made from a pool of candidates screened and endorsed by the Judicial Selection Committee, need to be confirmed by the General Assembly before they take the bench.
Read the Governor’s Press Release