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Retired Judge Ellen Bree Burns To Be Honored For 40 Years Of Judicial Service

Friday, September 18, 2015

PRESS RELEASE (PDF)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 18, 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: Lavinia Cousin | 202) 393-0222 | lcousin@nawj.org

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NEW HAVEN, CT. September 18, 2015 – The National Association of Women Judges, District 2 (New York, Connecticut and Vermont), will honor and celebrate the contributions of the federal judiciary by honoring recently retired Judge Ellen Bree Burns for her 40 years of judicial service. Chief Justice Chase Rogers will speak at the Saturday, September 26 brunch to be held at The Graduate Club in New Haven, Connecticut from 11 am – 1 pm.

“Judge Burns is an extraordinary person. As an exemplary judge, she was a pioneer and role model for the bench, the bar, and for women in public service. She has been an inspiration and mentor to female attorneys and judges alike,” said Hon. Mary Sommer, NAWJ State Chair for Connecticut.

Judge Ellen Bree Burns, who retired in March of this year, served as Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, having been appointed by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Judge Burns graduated from Albertus Magnus College in 1944 and received her LLB from Yale University in 1947. The Ellen Bree Burns ‘44S Award for Academic Excellence, known as the Laurel Award, was established in 2013 by Judge Burns’ former law clerks and colleagues. The recipient is a top student at Albertus Magnus College who exemplifies the same dedication to the pursuit of excellence that embodies Judge Burns’ career as an advocate for justice and truth.

The Graduate Club is located at 155 Elm Street, New Haven, Connecticut (203-624-1129).

Pre-registration is requested; fee for members and non-members is $30. Register in advance by contacting Lavinia Cousin, National Association of Women Judges, (202) 393-0222; fax (202) 393-0125. For more information and to contribute to the Laurel Award, contact Attorney Stan Twardy at Day Pitney 203-977-7368.

About the National Association of Women Judges

Founded in 1979, NAWJ is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to promote the judicial role in protecting the rights of individuals under the rule of law through strong, committed, diverse judicial leadership; fairness and equality in the courts; and equal access to justice. Our membership of 1,250 includes women and men, trial, appellate, administrative, tribal and military judges, on federal, state and tribal courts at every level of the judiciary, from throughout the country, and international tribunals, as well as attorneys, law clerks, law students and law professors committed to our mission.

For more information about NAWJ please contact Executive Director Marie Komisar at (202) 393-0222 or lcousin@nawj.org

National Association of Women Judges
1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 1138
Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: (202) 393-0222
Fax: (202) 393-0125