About Jeannine

Judge Jeannine Lewis practiced estate and probate law for 15 years prior to her election as Judge of Probate for District 33 in 2017. Since then, she has overseen thousands of probate matters in her role as Judge of Probate.

Judge Lewis devotes extensive time and thought to making decisions that affect the lives of others; treating all parties with the same respect she would extend to her own close family members. Judge Lewis works to diffuse contentious family disputes by guiding parties to practical solutions that allow each person respect, dignity, and a chance to be heard. Her calm demeanor helps prevent unnecessary escalation of disputes and promotes the resolution of difficult matters.

Career Highlights:

  • Respected Colleague - Judge Lewis has presented at numerous professional seminars in her role as Judge of Probate:
    • "Conservatorships", co-presenter, New Judges' Training, December 5, 2025.
    • "Mastering Real Property in Probate Court", presenter, CT Ass'n of Probate Clerks, June 26, 2025.
    • "The Intersection of End of Life Decisions & the Probate Court", panel co-presenter, UCONN School of Law, Elder Law Section Meeting, April 23, 2025.
    • "Litigation Under the Uniform Trust Code", co-presenter, CBA Estates & Probate Section Meeting, April 7, 2025.
    • "Conservatorship Proceedings: Medical Evidence and Evaluations", co-presenter, Judge's Institute, January 22, 2025.
    • "Involuntary Conservatorships: Petition to Decision", co-presenter, Judge's Institute & Newly Elected Judges Training, November 20, 2024.
    • "Challenges Addressing Limited English Proficiency", co-presenter, Judge's Institute, October 25, 2023.
    • "Elder Abuse", presenter, CT Ass'n of Probate Clerks, May 2023.
    • "Identifying and Navigating Elder Abuse in the 21st Century", panel co-presenter, UCONN School of Law, Elder Law Section Meeting, April 19, 2023.
    • "Conservatorships", co-presenter, Newly Elected Judges Training, November 21, 2022.
    • "Conducting Involuntary Conservator Hearings", co-presenter, CT Probate Assembly Continuing Education Seminar, June 22, 2022.
    • "The Connecticut Standards of Practice for Conservators", co-presenter, CBA bench/bar program, March 25, 2022.
    • "The Probate Court's Role in Addressing and Preventing Elder Abuse", guest lecturer, Connecticut College Elder Abuse Seminar, November 22, 2021.
    • "CT Conservatorship Potpourri (Conservatorship Hearings & Liability Waivers During the Pandemic)", co-presenter, Hot Topics in Probate, November 16, 2021.
    • "Disclaimers and Fiduciary Disclaimers", presenter, CT Probate Assembly Continuing Education Seminar (virtual), May 4, 2021.
    • "The Connecticut Standards of Practice for Conservators", presenter, CBA Elder Law Section, April 24, 2019.
  • Community Lecturer - Judge Lewis is a regular community lecturer on end-of-life, elder abuse, and probate issues, and has given numerous community presentations:
    • “How the Probate Court Serves Young Adults with Intellectual Disability”, presenter, Valley Regional High School parents and professionals, April 22, 2026; & Morgan School parents and professionals, March 18, 2026.
    • “Planning for Incapacity”, presenter, Ladies’ Guild at St. John Catholic Church, Old Saybrook, May 7, 2025.
    • “Planning for Incapacity”, presenter, Old Saybrook Republican Women, April 28, 2025.
    • Open Discussion with Grandparents Raising Grandchildren About Probate Court, co-presenter, Estuary in Old Saybrook, October 23, 2023.
    • “Planning for Incapacity”, presenter, Worthington Manor in Westbrook, October 2, 2023.
    • “Fiduciary Roles and Advance Health Care Directives”, presenter, Haddam Ambulance Association, June 6, 2023.
    • “How the Probate Court Serves Young Adults with Intellectual Disability”, presenter, Valley Regional High School parents and professionals, February 15, 2023.
    • “Senior Scams”, presenter, Haddam 60 Club, May 16, 2022.
    • “How to Avoid Conservatorship”, presenter, Essex Rotary, November 12, 2019.
    • “Legal Aspects of Planning for Incapacity & End of Life Decisions”, presenter, Old Lyme Sr. Ctr., Spring 2017.
  • Advocate for the Vulnerable - After the State of Connecticut shut down in March of 2000, Judge Lewis paid careful attention to our most vulnerable community members who were residing in congregate housing arrangements (nursing homes and group homes, etc.) which, out of fear for their safety, restricted the visitation of families and attorneys. Hearings were held throughout the pandemic on video in order to ensure each person was receiving proper care. To this day, she continues to be a strong advocate for our most vulnerable residents.
  • Attorney Educator - Judge Lewis is a contributing author for the Connecticut Standards of Practice for Conservators, which was published by the Office of the Connecticut Probate Court Administrator in 2018. As an attorney, Judge Lewis co-authored a 70-page training manual entitled “Court Appointed Attorneys in Courts of Probate” which was designed to train attorneys on how to properly represent individuals in probate court proceedings. The manual was made available to attorneys and the general public at no cost on the Probate Administration website in the spring of 2016.

Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in biology from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, 1994.
  • Juris Doctor degree, with honors, from the University of Connecticut School of Law, West Hartford Connecticut, 2005.