Supreme Court  |  Appellate Court  |  Stamford Superior Court  |  2016
Speech by Judge Shah

The Litchfield County Bar Association (LCBA) sponsored Law Day 2016 by celebrating two retiring Litchfield JD clerks—Cindy Marshall and Craig Malone—by remembering those members of the local legal community who passed during the past year, by honoring Attorney Victor Muschell for 50 years’ practice and by acknowledging members of the LCBA who have served the community as pro bono counsel.

As is the tradition at the Litchfield Law Day ceremonies, the LCBA recruits the newest Judge in the JD to give the address. This year, the task was given to Judge Rupal Shah, who spoke on the Law Day theme, Miranda: More Than Words. (Continued below slideshow)

Attorney Stephanie Weaver, Litchfield County Bar Association Vice President, remembers those colleagues who passed on during the year.

A standing-room-only crowd attends the Litchfield County Bar Association’s Law Day 2016 Ceremony, "Miranda: More Than Words", at the historic Litchfield Courthouse.

Attorney Regina M. Wexler (left), Law Day Chair, congratulates retiring Litchfield Administrative Clerk Cindy Marshall.

Superior Court Judge John W. Pickard speaks about Attorney Victor Muschell, who received a 50th-Year Honor Award from the Fairfield County Bar Association.

Judge John W. Pickard presents a certificate to Attorney Victor Muschell, for 50 years of service.

Ruth Nadeau Dwyer, Past President of the Litchfield County Bar, presents the Liberty Bell Award to retiring Civil Clerk Craig D. Malone, who has worked at the Litchfield JD for 25 years and will retire in November.

Litchfield Law Day honorees Craig D. Malone, Cindy Marshall and Victor Muschell pose for a photo with Litchfield JD Judges (left to right) Hon. Rupal Shah, Hon. Andrew W. Roraback, Hon. John D. Moore and Hon. John W. Pickard.

Former Appellate Court Judge Anne C. Dranginis, who sat for many years at the Litchfield JD, congratulates Cindy Marshall.

Attorney Robert F. Dwyer, Jr., Litchfield County Bar Association President, delivers closing remarks.

In bidding farewell to Litchfield JD Administrative Clerk Cindy Marshall—who has been a clerk in some capacity at the Litchfield JD for 36 years and will retire this fall—Attorney Regina M. Wexler, the LCBA Law Day Chair, said, "Cindy, you are truly irreplaceable…you will be sorely missed by all. I can speak for the entire Bar Association when I say you are on the top of our special persons’ list."

More than 100 people attended the Law Day Ceremonies, which may be the last ever held in the old courthouse on West Street, which opened in 1890.

Another beloved fixture in the Courthouse—Assistant Civil Clerk Craig Malone—was bid a fond farewell by those gathered, including past LCBA President Attorney Ruth Nadeau Dwyer.

"Craig was a unanimous choice to receive this year’s Liberty Bell Award," said Nadeau. "He has assisted thousands of individuals throughout his career and has done so with dedication, kindness, professionalism and a quick Irish wit. For 25 years he has been part of the fabric of daily life here, a trusted and valuable member of our legal community. He, too, will be sorely missed."

The Liberty Bell Award, sponsored by the American Bar Association, is presented annually to either a member of the court system or the public who has performed outstanding community service by promoting a greater respect for the law and contributing to good government in the community.

Cindy Marshall was a recipient of this award in 1998.

Torrington Attorney Victor Muschell was presented a certificate by Judge John W. Pickard, for 50 years’ service in law.
"He’s tough, but he’s nice about it," said Judge Pickard of Muschell, adding, "he’s a true lawyer’s lawyer."

During the Ceremony the Star Spangled Banner was sung by Attorney Christopher Wall and America the Beautiful was sung to close the festivities by Attorney David Moore.