Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has nominated four UConn Law alumni to serve as judges of the Superior Court. They are Karen DeMeola ’96, a member of the UConn Law staff for 22 years who currently serves as the inaugural assistant dean for diversity, belonging and community engagement; Paul R. Doyle ’90, a partner of Kennedy Doyle LLC; Walter A. Menjivar ’12, an assistant attorney general in the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office; and Emily Wagner ’06, an appellate public defender at the Connecticut Division of Public Defender Services.

Shane Goodrich ’13 was named a 2023 Excellence in the Law Honoree by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Goodrich is an employment litigation attorney at Morgan, Brown & Joy in Boston.

Spencer Fane LLP has announced that Carly Sirota ’21 has joined the firm as an associate in its Denver office. She will be a member of the firm’s Labor and Employment practice area.

Christopher F. Droney ’79, retired judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, has left Day Pitney LLP to open his own independent firm in West Hartford. Droney joined Day Pitney as a partner in 2020, having served on the Second Circuit from 2011 to 2019, and before that was a district judge and U.S. attorney for Connecticut. Additionally, he served as an arbitrator for the National Football League. Droney told the Connecticut Law Tribune that being independent will help him avoid conflicts inherent in working at a large firm.

Madsen Prestley & Parenteau has promoted Claire Howard ’13 to partner, as of January 1, 2023. The firm, which represents individuals in employment and benefit matters, has offices in Hartford and New London, Connecticut.

Connecticut Gov.Ned Lamont announced that he has nominated Bryan Cafferelli ’03 to serve as the commissioner of the state Department of Consumer Protection. His nomination will need to be confirmed by the state’s General Assembly. Cafferelli currently serves as legal counsel to the Connecticut Senate Republican Office, where he has worked since January 2019.