Chief Court Administrator Patrick L. Carroll III announced today that Judge Dawne G. Westbrook has been assigned to serve as chief administrative judge of juvenile matters.
Judge Westbrook (pictured) succeeds Judge Bernadette Conway, who completed a five-year term as chief administrative judge for juvenile matters in August 2018 but agreed to serve an additional three years.
“I am immensely grateful to Judge Conway for her service, particularly as the Judicial Branch navigated the pandemic during 2020 and into 2021,” Judge Carroll said. “Her knowledge of juvenile matters is outstanding, and coupled with her flexibility and administrative skills, she was able to steer the division through the many new challenges the pandemic presented.”
“At the same time, I am very pleased that Judge Westbrook has agreed to take on this important assignment,” Judge Carroll said. “She has more than 12 years’ experience as a front-line judge, with eight of those years in juvenile court. I am confident in her abilities to lead the division through the remainder of the pandemic and beyond.”
Judge Westbrook, a Superior Court judge since February 2009, currently serves as the presiding judge at the Rockville Courthouse for Juvenile Matters and as the administrative judge of the Tolland Judicial District. She will retain those assignments in addition to her new role as chief administrative judge of juvenile matters.
“I am both honored and excited to serve as chief administrative judge of juvenile matters and am immensely grateful to Judge Carroll for appointing me,” Judge Westbrook said. “I also am thankful for Judge Conway’s leadership and having had the opportunity to work with her over the past several years. Fortunately for all of us, Judge Conway will continue handling cases in juvenile court.”
As chief administrative judge, Judge Westbrook will, among other responsibilities, work with the chief court administrator on policy affecting the division; solicit advice and suggestions from other juvenile judges regarding matters affecting the division; and assist with the statewide implementation of policies and programs.
