The Democratic nominating conventions are coming up! May 6-May 12
This year, we hope to re-elect our wonderful probate judge, Jeannine Lewis. Here is her bio:
Honorable Jeannine Lewis
Judge, Saybrook District Probate Court
Judge Lewis took office as judge of the Saybrook District Probate Court in 2018. Her court serves a nine-town district consisting of the towns of Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook.
When Covid caused the State of Connecticut to close down in March of 2020, Judge Lewis and her staff continued to serve the community and conduct hearings. Within a short time, the Saybrook District Probate Court was able to conduct hearings on a secure Webex video platform, and provide necessary services to our most vulnerable residents in nursing homes, keep estates moving forward, and keep real estate transactions on track for local residents and attorneys.
Judge Lewis authors a column for the Events Magazine several time per year so local residents can learn about relevant topics such as: the necessity of having a lawyer to navigate the probate process, guardianships for folks with intellectual disabilities receiving stimulus payments, quarantine and isolation appeals; and how to clear title to real estate using various forms of probate.
Judge Lewis is presently a member of the Executive Committee and Continuing Education Committee for the Probate Assembly. She is a frequent lecturer in our community at local rotary meetings and senior centers on general probate topics, probate avoidance, and scams targeted at seniors; she also lectures throughout the state. Recent presentations include:
• Guest lecturer at Connecticut College’s Elder Abuse class, presenting on the topic of the Probate Court’s role in addressing and preventing elder abuse;
• Guest on Shore Things, a program of Valley Shore Community Television, co-presenting with the Honorable Joseph Marino on the general topic of probate. A recording of the show is available on YouTube;
• Presenter at the Coalition for Elder Justice’s Lunch ‘n Learn Series on the topic of the Connecticut Standards of Practice for Conservators; and
• Presenter for the Probate Assembly (the 54 Connecticut Probate Judges), probate system clerks & attorneys on the topic of disclaimers and fiduciary disclaimers.
Judge Lewis now hears our district’s children’s matters in the Central Connecticut Regional Children’s Probate Court located in Meriden, CT. Partnering with this court has allowed our district’s families the opportunity to work with licensed clinical social workers before entering the courtroom. This invaluable resource improves outcomes for children by allowing mediation to occur so families can resolve custody disagreements and have clear plans of action. It also provides additional safety checks for the children, and opportunities for families to engage with local supportive counseling and financial resources.
Judge Lewis is a contributing author for the Connecticut Standards of Practice for Conservators, which was published by the Office of the Connecticut Probate Court Administrator in 2018. In 2016, as a practicing attorney, she co-authored the manual entitled Court Appointed Attorneys in Courts of Probate, intended to give guidance to court appointed attorneys in probate matters with respect to the proper representation of their clients.
Judge Lewis is a graduate of Brown University and UCONN School of Law, where she earned her J.D., with honors.
Honorable Jeannine Lewis
Judge, Saybrook District Probate Court
Judge Lewis took office as judge of the Saybrook District Probate Court in 2018. Her court serves a nine-town district consisting of the towns of Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook.
When Covid caused the State of Connecticut to close down in March of 2020, Judge Lewis and her staff continued to serve the community and conduct hearings. Within a short time, the Saybrook District Probate Court was able to conduct hearings on a secure Webex video platform, and provide necessary services to our most vulnerable residents in nursing homes, keep estates moving forward, and keep real estate transactions on track for local residents and attorneys.
Judge Lewis authors a column for the Events Magazine several time per year so local residents can learn about relevant topics such as: the necessity of having a lawyer to navigate the probate process, guardianships for folks with intellectual disabilities receiving stimulus payments, quarantine and isolation appeals; and how to clear title to real estate using various forms of probate.
Judge Lewis is presently a member of the Executive Committee and Continuing Education Committee for the Probate Assembly. She is a frequent lecturer in our community at local rotary meetings and senior centers on general probate topics, probate avoidance, and scams targeted at seniors; she also lectures throughout the state. Recent presentations include:
• Guest lecturer at Connecticut College’s Elder Abuse class, presenting on the topic of the Probate Court’s role in addressing and preventing elder abuse;
• Guest on Shore Things, a program of Valley Shore Community Television, co-presenting with the Honorable Joseph Marino on the general topic of probate. A recording of the show is available on YouTube;
• Presenter at the Coalition for Elder Justice’s Lunch ‘n Learn Series on the topic of the Connecticut Standards of Practice for Conservators; and
• Presenter for the Probate Assembly (the 54 Connecticut Probate Judges), probate system clerks & attorneys on the topic of disclaimers and fiduciary disclaimers.
Judge Lewis now hears our district’s children’s matters in the Central Connecticut Regional Children’s Probate Court located in Meriden, CT. Partnering with this court has allowed our district’s families the opportunity to work with licensed clinical social workers before entering the courtroom. This invaluable resource improves outcomes for children by allowing mediation to occur so families can resolve custody disagreements and have clear plans of action. It also provides additional safety checks for the children, and opportunities for families to engage with local supportive counseling and financial resources.
Judge Lewis is a contributing author for the Connecticut Standards of Practice for Conservators, which was published by the Office of the Connecticut Probate Court Administrator in 2018. In 2016, as a practicing attorney, she co-authored the manual entitled Court Appointed Attorneys in Courts of Probate, intended to give guidance to court appointed attorneys in probate matters with respect to the proper representation of their clients.
Judge Lewis is a graduate of Brown University and UCONN School of Law, where she earned her J.D., with honors.
Your Democratic Elected Officials
Governor Ned Lamont
Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz
Attorney General William Tong
Senator Chris Murphy
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Congressman Joe Courtney
State Senator Norm Needleman
Secretary of the State Denise Merrill
Treasurer Shawn Wooden
State Representative Christine Goupil
State Representative Christine Palm
Democratic State Central Committee member Meaghan Kehoegreen
Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz
Attorney General William Tong
Senator Chris Murphy
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Congressman Joe Courtney
State Senator Norm Needleman
Secretary of the State Denise Merrill
Treasurer Shawn Wooden
State Representative Christine Goupil
State Representative Christine Palm
Democratic State Central Committee member Meaghan Kehoegreen
