Judge Joe Egan:

Wednesday, 21 July 2010 12:11

On Aug. 10, 2010, registered Republican voters will have the opportunity to select their candidate for judge of probate. Having served as a probate judge for 20 years, I ask for your support.

Probate judges touch the lives of our citizens on a daily basis. Most of you will never have the occasion to appear in a Superior Court courtroom. On the other hand, most of you, or your spouses, children or family members, will have a matter in the probate court at one time or another.

This is a very serious job. Qualifications and experience should matter. In 2011, I will have been an attorney for almost 40 years and a probate judge for over 20.

In addition to presiding over the Ridgefield Probate Court, I have also sat in 15 other districts, most notably Norwalk as a backup since 1996. I mention this because I have the “big court” experience necessary to preside over the consolidated district.

I have also been an active participant in the state and national judicial organizations. In Connecticut, I serve on the Executive Committee and am the nominating chair. At the national level, I served on the Executive Committee of the National College of Probate Judges and in November 2007, was installed as only the second president from Connecticut in its 42-year history.

Notwithstanding all of the above, I have always stressed the human element of being a probate judge. Obviously, a death in the family creates a very difficult situation, both emotionally and financially. While my legal and judicial experience are certainly important, it is just as important for a probate judge to be compassionate and understanding. Anyone who knows me will attest that I am that type of person and I look forward to your vote on Aug. 10.

Judge Egan is one of three Republicans seeking the party’s nomination to run for the judge of probate post for the new probate district that includes Redding, Ridgefield, Bethel and Newtown.