Rell names Judge Dennis Eveleigh to Supreme Court, 10 to Superior Court

Gov. M. Jodi Rell has nominated Superior Court Judge Dennis G. Eveleigh to the Connecticut Supreme Court, one of 11 judicial nominations the governor announced Wednesday.

Eveleigh, 62, of Hamden would succeed Justice Christine S. Vertefeuille, who formally notified Rell two days ago of her intention to take senior status June 1. Vertefeuille’s decision was made public hours before Rell’s announcement.

Rell also nominated 10 lawyers to the Superior Court, including two members of her administration: Robert L. Genuario, her budget chief; and John A. Danaher III, her commissioner of public safety. Legislators immediately objected, saying that the courts have greater needs than new judges.

Vertefeuille, 59, who was appointed to the trial bench by Gov. William A. O’Neill in 1989 and to the Supreme Court by Gov. John G. Rowland on January 3, 2000, will take senior status on June 1.

Eveleigh was appointed to the bench by Rowland in 1998. He is a graduate of Wittenberg University and the University of Connecticut law school.

“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,” Rell said.

Vertefeuille’s plans were closely held.

“It has been a great honor and privilege for me to hold a seat on this court since January 2000,” she said her in her letter to Rell. “I now look forward to my role as a Senior Justice, continuing to work at the court on a reduced basis.”

Rell praised Vertefeuille as “a thoughtful and measured jurist during her decade on the Supreme Court bench.”

Here are the bios Rell’s office released for her 10 nominees to the Superior Court:

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.