Two Noank Residents Nominated to be Superior Court Judges

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has nominated two Noank residents to serve as state Superior Court judges.

The nominations, which were among more than a dozen Malloy announced on Friday, including two for the Appellate Court, require approval from the General Assembly. The Noank nominees are:

Steven Spellman

Spellman is currently Chief of Staff and Director of Government Affairs for the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, where he has served since 1995. In addition to also serving in private practice, Spellman previously served in the Connecticut General Assembly from 1987 to 1992 representing the towns of Groton, Stonington, North Stonington, Ledyard, Voluntown, and Griswold in the State Senate. He received his B.A. from Union College and his J.D. from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“I am very honored to be appointed by Governor Malloy and look forward to the confirmation process with the hope of being able to serve in this capacity,” Spellman said.

Timothy D. Bates 

Bates is a partner of Robinson and Cole, LLP, practicing in its New London office.  Previously, he served with several law firms in New London County. He received his B.A. from Yale University and his J.D. from Columbia Law School.

“I am honored to be nominated by Governor Malloy,” Bates said. "While practicing law, I have always tried to be involved in the community, and sitting on the Superior Court will provide a unique opportunity to combine my legal and community service interests.”

“In selecting judicial nominees and reviewing the pool of candidates, I look to choose individuals with the experience, temperament and skills to be thoughtful, reasoned and fair jurists,” Malloy said. “It is a careful, meticulous process because we want to ensure that the men and women who sit on our bench will serve our state with distinction, fairness, competence, ethics, and above all, respect for the people of Connecticut. I am pleased to nominate these two outstanding judges for elevation to the appellate bench, and proud to nominate these 16 outstanding attorneys for appointment to the Superior Court.”

The 16 Superior Court nominations will fill approximately 26 vacancies that currently exist on that court, with additional vacancies on the court anticipated later this year. Malloy said that he does not intend on filling the remaining vacancies at this time.