Press Releases
05/01/2017
Gov. Malloy Nominates Judges Nina Elgo and Maria Araujo Kahn to Serve on the Appellate Court
Click to enlarge
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he is nominating the Honorable Nina F. Elgo of West Hartford and the Honorable Maria Araujo Kahn of Cheshire to serve as judges on the Connecticut Appellate Court. Should the legislature act favorably on both nominations, this will become the first time in state history that the Appellate Court has been represented by a majority of female judges.
“Selecting judicial nominees to fill vacancies in the court is a very critical function of the executive branch because these are the men and women who will serve as the final arbiters of justice in our state government,” Governor Malloy said. “I am honored to nominate these two distinguished judges for elevation to the Appellate Court. Throughout both of their tenures on the bench, they have proven themselves to be fair, reasoned jurists who have served with distinction.”
“The Governor’s nominations not only bring two notable jurists up to the Appellate Court system, but also mark a historic shift in the constitution of the bench,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said. “I applaud the Governor on these nominations and thank Judges Elgo and Kahn for their diligence and service to Connecticut.”
Judge Elgo was first appointed to serve on the Superior Court in May 2004. She is currently assigned to the civil division in the judicial district of Hartford. Her previous assignments include presiding judge of the statewide child protection session docket in Middletown, the juvenile division in the judicial district of New Haven, the criminal division in the judicial districts of Hartford and Enfield, as well as the habeas corpus docket in Tolland county.
She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Connecticut College, and her law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center.
“I am profoundly grateful to Governor Malloy for nominating me to the appellate bench,” Judge Elgo said. “I am humbled by the Governor’s confidence in me and the prospect of serving with my colleagues on the Appellate Court in service to the people of this state. If approved by the General Assembly, I will strive to prove worthy of that trust.”
Judge Kahn was first appointed to serve on the Superior Court in April 2006. She currently serves as co-chair of the Access to Justice Commission, as co-chair of the Limited English Proficiency Committee, as a member of the Sentence Review Division of the superior Court, and as a mentor in the Judicial Mentor Program. She also currently serves as an Adjunct Professor with the Quinnipiac University School of Law.
She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University, and her law degree from Fordham University School of Law.
“I am deeply grateful to Governor Malloy for nominating me to serve the people of Connecticut as a judge of the Appellate Court,” Judge Kahn said. “If confirmed by the legislature, I will work diligently to meet the challenges of this new position. I am truly humbled by this honor.”
They will fill vacancies on the Appellate Court that were created by the recent retirement of the Honorable F. Herbert Gruendel, and the Honorable Robert E. Beach, Jr., who took senior status.
- Twitter: @GovMalloyOffice
- Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy