Lamont Nominates Three West Hartford Residents For Judge Posts

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont Wednesday announced he is nominating 20 jurists to serve as judges of the Connecticut Superior Court, including three from West Hartford.

Those nominated from West Hartford are:

• Walter A. Menjivar, 35, of West Hartford, who graduated from Vanderbilt University and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

He is currently an assistant attorney general in the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office.

Menjivar serves in the special litigation section and previously worked in the health and education section, representing state agencies in state and federal courts.

He was formerly the associate general counsel in the Office of the Governor, where he provided legal counsel to the Governor and executive state agencies.

Prior to his public service, he was a litigation associate at Day Pitney LLP.

• Richard J. Rubino, 54, of West Hartford, who graduated from Southern Connecticut State University and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Ohio Northern University College of Law.

He is currently a supervisory assistant state’s attorney in the Hartford Judicial District and has served as a prosecutor with that office since 2000.

During his tenure with the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice, he has been predominantly focused on the prosecution of serious felony matters.

• Emily Wagner, 47, of West Hartford, who graduated from Skidmore College and obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

She currently serves as an appellate public defender at the Connecticut Division of Public Defender Services, where she has spent the past 12 years.

Wagner began her legal career clerking for the Honorable Christine S. Vertefeuille, former Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court.

She then spent four years as an associate at Shipman & Goodwin LLP. She also teaches the Appellate Defense Clinic at the Quinnipiac University School of Law.

The court currently has 40 judicial vacancies. Additionally, Lamont is nominating two jurists to become family support magistrates.

“Selecting nominees to become judges is one of the most important duties that I have as governor because these individuals will become responsible for ensuring that justice is administered fairly and without prejudice, and that everyone who comes before the court is treated equally and with respect,” Lamont said.

“Our court system works best when it reflects the diversity, experience, and understanding of the people it serves. These individuals I am nominating have the qualifications that meet the high standards the residents of Connecticut deserve on the bench. Justice delayed is justice denied, and these new judges will help ensure the judicial branch is able to decide cases promptly and efficiently.”

For the complete list of judicial nominees, click on this link.