Justice Katz to leave Connecticut Supreme Court
December 1, 2010
Connecticut: Yesterday, Governor-Elect Dan Malloy announced that Connecticut Supreme Court Justice Joette Katz will leave the court in early 2011 to head the state's Department of Children and Families (DCF). The department Katz will control is one which has been under federal court supervision for two decades, following a class action lawsuit.[1]
When asked about her motives for leaving the Supreme Court, Katz remarked, "I sat back and I said, OK, what do I want to do in the next chapter of my life? … I'm ready for a new challenge. ... Where can my energy, my skills and my dreams be best delivered, executed and accomplished?"[1]
Justice Katz has served on the court since 1992. She has spent most of her career in public service, beginning as an Assistant Public Defender in 1978. She was appointed to the Connecticut Superior Court in 1989. Of this, she said, "It has been an honor and a privilege to have served the citizens of this state as a judge for over 20 years, but this appointment as commissioner of DCF, I believe, is my most important challenge."[1][2]
Before joining the DCF, Katz will need to be confirmed by both the Connecticut House of Representative and the Connecticut Senate.[1]
Footnotes
