Senator Kissel Praises Testimony of Chief Justice Nominee

State Senator John A. Kissel, R-Enfield, today said he was “extremely impressed” by Governor M. Jodi Rell’s nominee for Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. At her confirmation hearing before the legislature’s Judiciary Committee today in Hartford, Appellate Court Judge Chase T. Rogers of New Canaan fielded questions on a variety of judicial topics from committee members.

“It is quite apparent to me that Judge Rogers would be a wonderful asset to the state’s highest court,” said Sen. Kissel, Ranking Senator of the Judiciary Committee. “She handled herself with poise, thoughtfulness and, most importantly, a keen knowledge of the rule of law. I applaud Governor Rell for nominating Judge Rogers and I am very hopeful that this committee will vote overwhelmingly in her favor.”

Judge Rogers practiced commercial and employment law at Cummings & Lockwood for more than 14 years before becoming a Superior Court judge in 1998. Judge Rogers, a native of Connecticut, graduated from Stanford University in 1979 and earned her law degree from the Boston University School of Law in 1983. That same year she joined Cummings & Lockwood and was elected a partner in 1991. Her roles at the firm included oversight of the pro bono program and partner-in-charge for hiring associates.

She was nominated for the Superior Court in 1998. She served as presiding judge for juvenile matters in Bridgeport before being assigned to the regional Child Protection Session in Middletown. Between 2001 and 2005 she was assigned to the Complex Litigation Docket in Stamford and from 2005 to 2006 served as presiding judge for civil matters in the Stamford-Norwalk district. She has also served as an attorney trial referee and a fact-finder/arbitrator for the state. Governor Rell nominated Judge Rogers to the Appellate Court on February 1, 2006.

“Judge Rogers is a pragmatic jurist who believes the primary role of the courts id to interpret our laws. She will be a welcome addition to the bench,” said Sen. Kissel. “Conceivably Judge Rogers could be the head of the state’s judicial branch for the next 20 years, so that makes this confirmation process even more important. That being said, I think Judge Rogers is an excellent choice and will do an excellent job as our state’s next Chief Justice.”