The Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association (CHBA) congratulates Governor Dannel P. Malloy on his decision to appoint one of our esteemed members and long-time supporters, Judge Carmen E. Espinosa, to the Connecticut Supreme Court. Judge Espinosa was originally nominated to the Connecticut Superior Court in 1992 by thenGovernor Lowell P. Weicker. She was the first Latino state court judge appointed in Connecticut. In 2011, Governor Malloy appointed Judge Espinosa to the Connecticut Appellate Court becoming the first Latino appellate court judge. Judge Espinosa has compiled an exemplary and distinguished record. A graduate of Central Connecticut State College in 1971, she went on to earn her law degree at the George Washington University School of Law. Judge Espinosa also earned a master’s degree in Hispanic Studies at Brown University. During most of her career, Judge Espinosa has chosen to serve the American public; first as an FBI agent, later as a federal prosecutor in the District of Connecticut and then as a Superior Court judge. At the U.S. Attorney’s Office she earned the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award and the Department of Justice Special Achievement Award. As an Appellate Court judge, she served with distinction. As a Superior Court judge, she served as a presiding judge in the criminal court, taught criminal law courses for the Judicial Branch’s Education Committee and served on the Client Security Fund Committee and Sentence Review Division. Judge Espinosa also served on the Advisory Board to President Judd of Central Connecticut State University regarding Latino Affairs and has been involved with Community Mental Health Affiliates. In addition, she has been an inspiring mentor to law students. In recognition of her accomplishments, the CHBA honored Judge Espinosa in 1994 with its Achievement Award at its Annual Awards Dinner. The CHBA fully supports the appointment of Judge Espinosa to the Connecticut Supreme Court and urges our state legislature to do the same. We anticipate that the members of the state legislature from both parties will treat Judge Espinosa with the respect she deserves, examine her record and contributions to the legal community thoughtfully, and perform their duty by approving Judge’s Espinosa’s nomination without obstruction. Founded in 1993, the CHBA works to enhance the visibility of Hispanic lawyers throughout the state; to facilitate communication and sharing of information and resources among our members; to serve as mentors to new lawyers and law students; and to assist the public and private sectors in achieving diversity in their law firms and legal departments. The CHBA also serves to address and respond to issues impacting our Hispanic communities, including the issues of access to the courts, judicial diversity and other ethnic and social challenges. For more information, please visit our website at www.ct-hba.org.