Governor Rell Nominates Eight Superior Court Judges

Governor M. Jodi Rell today nominated four men and four women to Connecticut’s Superior Court bench. The nominees, who must be confirmed by the General Assembly, succeed judges who have retired or who have been nominated to other courts.

“These nominees represent the best in Connecticut law and I am confident they will serve our citizens well in the coming years,” Governor Rell said. “Judges must have the right combination of compassion, knowledge and an innate sense of fairness. These men and women meet the high principles our citizens expect and deserve.

“We ask a great deal of our judges and they possess extraordinary powers over our residents and businesses,” the Governor said. “We hold them to the highest standards of integrity. I am confident the General Assembly will agree with me that these nominees have the right experience and temperament to be excellent jurists.”

Governor Rell has nominated:

·        Maria Araujo-Kahn, 41, of Cheshire (Democrat). She is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in New Haven. Araujo-Kahn graduated from New York University and received a law degree from Fordham University School of Law in 1989. She is a former Deputy Assistant Public Defender and has taught at the University of Connecticut School of Law.

·        Harry E. Calmar, 45, of Stonington (Republican). He is a director in the New London law office of Suisman, Shapiro, Wool, Brennan, Gray and Greenberg. Calmar graduated from Tufts University and received a law degree from Union University’s Albany School of Law in 1984.

·        Robert G. Gilligan, 63, of Wethersfield (Democrat). He is currently a Commissioner in the General Assembly’s Legislative Commissioner’s Office. Gilligan, a former State Representative (1975-1995), is a graduate of the University of Hartford and received a law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1972.

·        Maureen M. Keegan, 44, of Cheshire (Democrat). She is an Executive Assistant State’s Attorney in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney in Rocky Hill. Keegan is a graduate of the University of Richmond and received a law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1988.

·        Denise D. Markle, 51, of Bethany (Republican). She is a partner in the firm of Markle, Howland and Gaffney in Woodbridge. Markle is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University and received a law degree from Western New England College School of Law in 1981. She is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney in New Haven.

·        Michael G. Maronich, 49, of Bridgeport (Republican). He has a private practice in Bridgeport. Maronich is a graduate of Boston College and received a law degree from the University of Vermont School of Law in 1980. In 2005, he received a master’s degree in computer science and information services from Sacred Heart University.

·        Leslie I. Olear, 49, of West Hartford (Democrat). She is a principal in the Hartford law firm of Cohn, Birnbaum and Shea. Olear is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University and received a law degree from Western New England College School of Law in 1981 and a legal master’s degree from Boston University in 1983.

·        Kevin A. Randolph, 47, of Glastonbury (Unaffiliated). He has a private law office which he operates from his home. Randolph has a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University and a master’s degree from Syracuse University. He received a law degree from Western New England College School of Law in 1984.

The Governor’s nominees face legislative hearings before going to the full General Assembly for confirmation.