On January 27, Gov. Ned Lamont announced his nominations to fill 22 judicial vacancies in the Superior Court. Of these nominations, four prestigious Quinnipiac School of Law alumni were named — two for the Superior Court, one for Family Support Magistrate and one for Workers’ Compensation Administrative Law.

Representing a diverse range of experience and expertise, these alumni are recognized for their unwavering commitment to justice and public service. 

“These nominations reflect the exceptional quality of Quinnipiac Law graduates and their profound impact on Connecticut’s justice system," said Dean of the School of Law Brian Gallini. "Having four of our alumni nominated for such significant judicial roles speaks to both their individual excellence and our law school’s commitment to developing skilled legal professionals who serve their communities at the highest levels. We are incredibly proud to see our graduates continuing to shape the future of Connecticut’s judiciary.”

Connecticut Superior Court nominees:

• David G. Bothwell, JD ’96, currently serves as legal counsel and legislative liaison to the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles. Prior to this position, he dedicated his career to criminal defense, working in both his own private practice and at the Connecticut Division of Public Defenders.

• Diana M. Gomez, JD ’10, currently an assistant public defender in the Ansonia-Milford Judicial District, specializing in criminal defense of indigent defendants. Throughout her career, she has worked in the Connecticut Division of Public Defender Services, in private practice and has served on many boards, committees and commissions.

Family Support Magistrate nominee:

• LeeAnn Neal, JD ’11, currently an assistant attorney general in the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General, serving in the child protection section and representing the Connecticut Department of Children and Families in state court proceedings. Previously, she served as a staff attorney at the Center for Children’s Advocacy, advocating for youth in education and delinquency cases, and as an assistant state’s attorney with the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice, representing the state in both adult criminal and juvenile delinquency matters in the New Britain and Waterbury Judicial Districts. 

Workers’ Compensation Administrative Law nominee:

• Colette Griffin, JD ’87, currently a partner with Strunk Dodge Aiken Zovas LLC and has chaired both the workers’ compensation and animal law sections of the Connecticut Bar Association. She was previously a partner with Howd and Ludorf, LLC, where she began and ran their workers’ compensation practice. Additionally, she serves on the workers’ compensation legal advisory and medical advisory committees.