About Jeannine

Judge Jeannine Lewis practiced estate and probate law for 15 years prior to her election as probate judge for District 33 in 2017. Since then, she has received over 107 hours of judicial training, and 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. Aside from her work in the court, Judge Lewis believes it is important to use her education and experience to actively contribute to the betterment of the legal profession. She does this regularly by donating her time and energy to organizing legal education programs for attorneys and probate judges as a member of the Continuing Education Committee of the Probate Assembly.

Judge Lewis’ background as a biochemist in pharmaceutical research and development gives her extensive familiarity with diseases affecting the elderly such as Alzheimer’s type dementia, and mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This background allows her to proceed with patience and understanding in cases involving the elderly and those suffering from mental illness, and to reach workable solutions for families to ensure dignity and safety are extended to all. 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:

• 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.
• Respected Colleague - Since becoming elected in 2017, Judge Lewis has been appointed to the Executive Committee of the Probate Assembly, and has presented at several educational seminars for the Connecticut Probate Assembly (the 54 Connecticut Probate Judges).
• 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.
• Community Lecturer - Attorney Lewis is a regular community lecturer on end-of-life, elder abuse, and probate issues.

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.