Christine S. Vertefeuille
Encyclopedia
Christine S. Vertefeuillehttp://www.jud.state.ct.us/external/supapp/justice10.html (born December 10, 1950) is a Senior Associate Justice on the Connecticut Supreme Court
. She is a Connecticut
native, born in New Britain, Connecticut
. She graduated from Trinity College
with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
in 1972 and the University of Connecticut School of Law
with a Juris Doctor
in 1975.
Vertefeuille began her career as a judge with her 1989 appointment to the Superior Court. During her tenure as a Superior Court Judge, she presided over the Connecticut silicone gel breast implant cases (1993-99). In addition, Vertefeuille served as the Administrative Judge in the Waterbury Judicial District (1994-99) and as a Complex Litigation Judge (1999).
Vertefeuille was appointed a Judge of the Appellate Court on September 13, 1999. On January 3, 2000, Vertefeuille was appointed a Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, succeeding Justice Robert I. Berdon, who retired by law. She served as the Administrative Judge of the Appellate System from June 1, 2000 to July 31, 2006. In 2010, Justice Vertefeuille announced her decision to retire and assume Senior Status. Governor M. Jodi Rell appointed Superior Court Judge Dennis Eveleigh to succeed her.
On October 10, 2008, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled in Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health
that gay and lesbian couples could not be denied the right to marry because of the Equal Protection Clause of the state constitution.http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hcu-gaymarriage-1010,0,7812756.story This decision made Connecticut the third state (along with Massachusetts
and California
) to legalize same-sex marriage through judicial decree of the state supreme court. The majority opinion was written by Justice Richard N. Palmer
, and joined by Justices Flemming L. Norcott, Jr.
, Joette Katz
, and Judge Lubbie Harper, Jr. Justices Peter T. Zarella
, Vertefeuille, and David Borden dissented.
Connecticut Supreme Court
The Connecticut Supreme Court, formerly known as the Connecticut Supreme Court of Errors, is the highest court in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It consists of a Chief Justice and six Associate Justices. The seven justices sit in Hartford, across the street from the Connecticut State Capitol...
. She is a Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
native, born in New Britain, Connecticut
New Britain, Connecticut
New Britain is a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is located approximately 9 miles southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 71,254....
. She graduated from Trinity College
Trinity College (Connecticut)
Trinity College is a private, liberal arts college in Hartford, Connecticut. Founded in 1823, it is the second-oldest college in the state of Connecticut after Yale University. The college enrolls 2,300 students and has been coeducational since 1969. Trinity offers 38 majors and 26 minors, and has...
with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
in 1972 and the University of Connecticut School of Law
University of Connecticut School of Law
The University of Connecticut School of Law is the only public law school in Connecticut and one of only four in New England. The school was recently ranked forty-sixth out of the 190 American Bar Association-accredited law schools in the United States and is considered a Tier 1 school by U.S...
with a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
in 1975.
Vertefeuille began her career as a judge with her 1989 appointment to the Superior Court. During her tenure as a Superior Court Judge, she presided over the Connecticut silicone gel breast implant cases (1993-99). In addition, Vertefeuille served as the Administrative Judge in the Waterbury Judicial District (1994-99) and as a Complex Litigation Judge (1999).
Vertefeuille was appointed a Judge of the Appellate Court on September 13, 1999. On January 3, 2000, Vertefeuille was appointed a Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, succeeding Justice Robert I. Berdon, who retired by law. She served as the Administrative Judge of the Appellate System from June 1, 2000 to July 31, 2006. In 2010, Justice Vertefeuille announced her decision to retire and assume Senior Status. Governor M. Jodi Rell appointed Superior Court Judge Dennis Eveleigh to succeed her.
On October 10, 2008, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled in Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health
Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health
Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health, 289 Conn. 135, 957 A.2d 407, is a 2008 decision by the Connecticut Supreme Court holding that the Connecticut Constitution protects the right to same-sex marriage. The vote was 4-3. The decision made Connecticut the third state to have its state supreme...
that gay and lesbian couples could not be denied the right to marry because of the Equal Protection Clause of the state constitution.http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hcu-gaymarriage-1010,0,7812756.story This decision made Connecticut the third state (along with Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
) to legalize same-sex marriage through judicial decree of the state supreme court. The majority opinion was written by Justice Richard N. Palmer
Richard N. Palmer
Justice Richard N. Palmer is an Associate Justice on the Connecticut Supreme Court. He was born on May 27, 1950 in Hartford, CT. He received his Bachelor of Arts Phi Beta Kappa, from Trinity College in Hartford in 1972...
, and joined by Justices Flemming L. Norcott, Jr.
Flemming L. Norcott, Jr.
Flemming L. Norcott, Jr. is an Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. He was appointed to the Connecticut Superior Court in 1979 and remained there until his elevation to the Connecticut Appellate Court in 1987. He was appointed to the Connecticut Supreme Court in 1992. He also serves...
, Joette Katz
Joette Katz
Joette Katz is Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, and a former Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, where she also served as the administrative judge for the state appellate system....
, and Judge Lubbie Harper, Jr. Justices Peter T. Zarella
Peter T. Zarella
Peter T. Zarella is an Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court . He was appointed by former Governor John G. Rowland in January 2001. Zarella is the former chair of the Connecticut Criminal Justice Commission and the current chair of the Rules Committee which has responsibility for...
, Vertefeuille, and David Borden dissented.