Press Releases
04/25/2019
Governor Lamont Nominates Judge Robert Devlin to the Appellate Court
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is nominating the Honorable Robert J. Devlin, Jr. of Shelton to fill a vacancy on the Connecticut Appellate Court. Judge Devlin is a lifelong resident of Connecticut and has served as a Superior Court judge since 1993. He currently presides as a criminal court judge in the judicial district of Fairfield at Bridgeport, and has previously served in the districts of New Haven, New London, Fairfield, Hartford, and Stamford.
In addition to his duties on the bench, Judge Devlin recently served as Chief Administrative Judge for the Criminal Division of the Superior Court, a position that required him to assist the Chief Court Administrator in a wide variety of tasks regarding the administration of the criminal court system. He currently serves as chairman of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission, chairman of the Criminal Jury Instruction Committee, and co-chairman of the Judicial-Media Committee.
When he’s not at the courthouse, Judge Devlin teaches classes as an adjunct instructor at Naugatuck Valley Community College. He authored a textbook for his litigation class, and also teaches courses in the school’s criminal justice program.
“Judge Devlin is one of the most respected, most recognized, and hardest working jurists in Connecticut whose commitment to our state is second to none,” Governor Lamont said. “Not only has he dedicated his career to ensuring that our laws are carried out in a manner that best protects the safety and security of our communities, but over the last several decades he has served as a mentor to countless young and aspiring members of our legal community, many of whom have gone on to become judges themselves. His experience on the bench and reputation in the courtroom will serve him well on the Appellate Court.”
“I am gratified and honored by the confidence that Governor Lamont has shown in me through this nomination,” Judge Devlin said. “I will do my best to justify that confidence. If confirmed, I would hope to bring my experience as a trial judge to bear on the important work done by our Appellate Court.”
Prior to his nomination to the bench, Judge Devlin was a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice in its Organized Crime Strike Force from 1988 to 1993. In this position, he was recognized by the U.S. Attorney General as one of the outstanding federal prosecutors in the nation for his work as a member of the prosecution team that secured convictions of the hierarchy of the New England mob. From 1979 to 1988 he served as an assistant state’s attorney under then-State’s Attorney Arnold Markle in New Haven. Before that, he served as a public defender for a year and worked in private practice for three years.
Judge Devlin earned a bachelor of arts degree from Southern Connecticut State University and a juris doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law.
His nomination is being forwarded to the General Assembly for its advice and consent.
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