University of Hartford Photo
An era is ending in New Haven’s U.S. District Court, with the retirement of Judge Ellen Bree Burns.
Burns (pictured) Thursday announced that she will retire effective March 31 after 37 years on the bench.
She has presided over many important cases including the R2 and “Operation Bloodline” drug-gang prosecution.
A release from his office follows:
After an extraordinary thirty-seven years of service as a judge of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Senior Judge Ellen Bree Burns has decided to retire, effective March 31, 2015, and has so informed President Barack Obama.
Nominated by President Jimmy Carter, Judge Burns was appointed on May 17, 1978, becoming the first woman to be named to the federal bench in the District of Connecticut. She served as Chief Judge of the District from November 18, 1988, through September 1, 1992, when she
assumed senior status.
Chief Judge Janet C. Hall said: “Judge Burns has been an outstanding judge, public servant, and role model during the 37 years she served as a Federal Judge. She has admirably presided over countless civil and criminal cases and trials on this Court. Members of the Bar have repeatedly stated that there has been no better judge before whom to try a case. She is noted for her fairness and her ability to let attorneys try their case while she controlled her courtroom to assure collegiality and fairness. She has been an extraordinary jurist and public servant to the people of Connecticut as well as an inspiration to my colleagues and me. Sadly, our court will not be the same without her. We will miss her greatly.”
Born in New Haven, Judge Burns received a Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, from Albertus Magnus College in 1944 and an LL.B. degree from Yale Law School in 1947. She was Director of Legislative Legal Services of the Legislative Commissioners’ Office from 1949 – 73. Prior to her appointment to the United States District Court, Judge Burns was a judge on the Connecticut Circuit Court, the Court of Common Pleas, and the Superior Court.