Press Releases
01/07/2018
What They’re Saying: Elected Officials and Community Leaders Show Support for Nomination of Andrew J. McDonald as Chief Justice
(HARTFORD, CT) – Local and statewide elected officials and community leaders are voicing strong support for Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s plans to nominate Justice Andrew J. McDonald to serve as Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court.
Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman:
“I have known Andrew for many decades and served with his mother, Anne McDonald, in the legislature. Andrew is an honorable man and dedicated public servant. His integrity and keen intellect drive him to be a measured decision-maker, and one who recognizes the impact of decisions long into the future. He will make a remarkable Chief Justice for Connecticut. I am know his mother would be proud of him and his many accomplishments.
Attorney General George Jepsen:
“Andrew McDonald has been a dedicated public servant and a dynamic leader in our state for decades, and has distinguished himself further as a thoughtful jurist during his time on the bench. I can think of no better successor to Chief Justice Rogers, who has served the Supreme Court with distinction since 2007, and have every confidence in Andrew’s ability to lead the judiciary in this critically important role.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven):
“Justice Andrew McDonald is a brilliant and thoughtful jurist. Throughout his distinguished career in public service as Corporation Counsel for the City of Stamford, as State Senate co-chair of the Judiciary Committee, as chief counsel to the governor, and as a member of the State Supreme Court, Justice McDonald has been a trailblazer across all three branches of state government. I commend Governor Malloy for this inspired nomination. I am certain that Justice McDonald will lead the State Supreme Court will honor, dignity and incisive legal analysis.”
Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk):
“Justice McDonald is the best choice to lead the Connecticut Supreme Court. Justice McDonald has a first class legal mind. Serving side-by-side in the State Senate and sharing a community with Justice McDonald, I witnessed first-hand his thoughtful approach to legislating. Since joining the state’s highest court, he has continued to serve our state capably with the highest integrity.”
State Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford):
“As a colleague and a friend, Justice Andrew McDonald has exemplified leadership at all levels and branches of government. I know him to be a thoughtful and judicious legal scholar, and I know he will bring these strengths to give credence and integrity to this new position where he will continue to excel and bring honor to the State of Connecticut.”
State Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford):
“It’s a historic day for Connecticut when the same court that approved marriage equality in Kerrigan versus Mock just 10 short years ago now has a gay Supreme Court chief justice. It’s a great day for the gay rights movement to see that the days of discrimination based on sexual orientation are a thing of the past, at least when it comes to representation on the state’s highest court.”
State Representative Livvy Floren (R-Greenwich)
“Andrew McDonald will be a fair, balanced and transparent Chief Justice. I have known Andrew as a colleague in Stamford and in the General Assembly and as a friend. He is a consummate professional with impeccable credentials – as a lawyer, legislator, and jurist. This is a great day for Andrew and for the people of Connecticut.”
State Representative William Tong (D-Stamford), Co-Chair of the Judiciary Committee:
“To be nominated to serve as Chief Justice is among the highest honors any lawyer can receive. Justice McDonald is a very strong nominee and well deserving of this honor, and I look forward to discussing his vision for the judicial branch when he appears before the Judiciary Committee.”
State Representative Jeff Currey (D-East Hartford):
“Today’s nomination of Andrew McDonald will make Connecticut the first state to have an openly gay state Supreme Court Chief Justice. As a well-respected jurist and former legislator, his legal talents make him an excellent choice to lead Connecticut’s Supreme Court. Connecticut has long been a leader when it comes to acceptance and inclusion of the LGBTQ community and this is another memorable first. I applaud Governor Malloy’s commitment to making our courts reflect the people they serve.”
Timothy Fisher, Dean of the University of Connecticut School of Law:
“Andrew McDonald is as deeply intelligent, hard-working and energetic as they come. He understands how the law serves as both the guardian of an orderly society and as instrument for change when needed.”
Jennifer Gerarda Brown, Dean and Professor of Law of Quinnipiac University School of Law:
“Andrew McDonald will bring a wealth of experience and perspective to his tenure as Chief Justice. Because he has served the people of Connecticut so effectively in so many different roles, he possesses a uniquely nuanced understanding of law, how it is made, and how it is enforced. Moreover, he has already demonstrated a magnificent gift for leadership that will serve the court and our state as we all work to achieve – and improve – access to justice. I very much look forward to working with him in his new role.”
Karen DeMeola, President of the Connecticut Bar Association and Assistant Dean for Enrollment and Students at the University of Connecticut School of Law:
“Justice McDonald has dedicated his career to public service, championing social justice, and safeguarding fairness and equality. I look forward to continuing the partnership between the Connecticut Bar Association and the judicial branch in ensuring access to justice, increasing diversity and inclusion in the bar and bench, and ensuring civility within the profession, which began under Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers.”
Eric J. George, President of the Insurance Association of Connecticut:
“I have known Andrew for nearly twenty years. He is a dedicated, highly intelligent and caring public servant. Throughout his career as a lawyer, a senator and a Supreme Court justice, he has deftly balanced numerous interests and points of view in order to arrive at a just and equitable resolution. I know that as Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court he will lead the court to ensure justice is served.”
Erick Russell, Chair of the LGBT section of the Connecticut Bar Association, member of the Connecticut Criminal Justice Commission, and Associate at Pullman & Comley:
“Throughout his professional career, Justice McDonald has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the citizens of the State of Connecticut. Governor Malloy’s nomination of Justice McDonald as the first openly gay state court justice in the continental United States fits the tradition of Connecticut leading the charge on LGBTQ progress. Justice McDonald’s intellect, diligence and integrity will serve him and the citizens of our state well.”
Aaron Bayer, Partner at Wiggin and Dana and former Deputy Attorney General:
“Justice McDonald brings to the position of Chief Justice a keen legal acumen and interest in the clear development of the law. He also brings a practical understanding of how government actually works – which often is a critical component of cases that come before the court. And he is dedicated to ensuring meaningful access to our judicial system for everyone.”
Dan Krisch, Chairman of the appellate practice at Halloran & Sage:
“Justice McDonald is a thoughtful, intellectually rigorous jurist and an eloquent opinion-writer who asks probing, but always polite, questions at oral argument.”
Kathleen Nastri, President of the American Association for Justice and a partner at Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder:
“I applaud Governor Malloy’s decision to appoint Andrew McDonald as Chief Justice of Connecticut’s Supreme Court. I have long admired Justice McDonald’s intelligent, careful, and thoughtful approach as a jurist. His grasp of complex issues and reasoned approach to the law make him a perfect choice. Andrew McDonald has devoted his professional career to public service. He will be an excellent Chief Justice.”
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