Southington resident Carmen Espinosa has long been a prominent figure in the state's court system and her success as a litigator and judge has landed her a new opportunity, one as a member of the state's highest court.
Espinosa, who joined the state's Appellate Court in 2011 after nearly 20 years with the state Superior Court, has received the nomination from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to serve as justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. It's a move designed to bring more female and minority presence to the state's highest court, officials said.
If confirmed, Espinosa would replace Justice C. Ian McLachlan and would be the first Hispanic to sit on the Supreme Court. She was also the first hispanic to serve on both the Appellate and Superior Courts as well.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to name a woman with such a distinct and respected background to our state’s highest court,” Governor Malloy said. “Judge Carmen Espinosa has had an impressive career and is among our state’s most respected jurists. She will serve the people well when confirmed to the bench.”
Espinosa has been an active member of the judicial community and has served on the Sentence Review Division, the Client Security Fund Committee and as a member of the Judicial Branch Education Committee of the Connecticut Judges’ Institute.
Prior to becoming a judge, she was an FBI agent and an Assistant U.S. Attorney. She also taught French and Spanish in the Southington public school system.
Espinosa graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 1971, received her master’s degree in Hispanic studies from Brown University in 1973 and received her law degree from The George Washington University Law School in 1976.
“I would like to especially thank Governor Malloy for his continued commitment to diversity in our judiciary. Not only does he honor me with this nomination, but he has honored the Hispanic community as well,” Espinosa said.
“I fully understand the responsibility that will fall upon my shoulders if confirmed as the first Hispanic to sit as a Supreme Court Justice in our great state. It is a responsibility which I will gladly accept and one that I would fulfill with diligence and dedication," she said.
"I hope that my nomination to the Supreme Court serves as an example to young Hispanic children that anything is possible if they stay in school and use education as the bridge to success.”
