Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she is nominating nine people to the Connecticut Superior Court bench, replacing judges who have retired or been nominated to other judicial vacancies. All of the nominees require confirmation by the Legislature.

“Judges have a critical role in our justice system and we hold them to the highest standards of integrity,” Governor Rell said. “They must be above reproach and they must have the right blend of expertise, experience and temperament to rule fairly on the basis of law in courts across Connecticut .

“We ask a great deal of members of the bench and they possess extraordinary powers over the people and businesses that appear before them,” the Governor said. “Our system of jurisprudence requires that judges possess a delicate balance of knowledge, compassion and humanity. Each of these individuals meets the very high bar we have set for Connecticut jurists.”

Governor Rell has nominated:

Gerard I. Adelman, 62, of Meriden (Democrat). Adelman has been an attorney, officer and director in the Weignad, Mahon & Adelman law firm in Meriden since 1982. Adelman graduated from Ohio State University in 1970 and earned a master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University in 1977. He received his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1982. Adelman also served for eight years on the Meriden Board of Education.

Mary-Margaret D. Burgdorff, 49, of West Hartford (Republican). Since 1985, she has been an attorney and partner in the law firm of Dodd, Lessack, Dalton & Dodd in Cheshire . Burgdorff received her undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s College in Indiana in 1981 and received her law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1985. She has been a member of the Civitan Club of Waterbury since 1986.

Corinne L. Klatt, 51, of Meriden (Republican). Klatt has served as a Supervisory Assistant State ’s Attorney in the Division of Criminal Justice in Waterbury since 1985. Klatt graduated from St. Joseph ’s College in 1979 and received her law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1982. She is a member of the National District Attorney’s Association.

Vernon D. Oliver, 37, of Portland (Unaffiliated). Oliver has served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Connecticut in Hartford since 2004. Prior to that, he was an attorney in private practice with the law firm of Montstream & May in Glastonbury . He attended the University of Connecticut and received his bachelor’s degree in 1993. He received his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1997.

Sheila A. Ozalis, 46, of Newtown (Republican). Since 1997, Ozalis has been an attorney and partner in the Smith & Ozalis law firm in Newtown . Prior to that, Ozalis was a member of the law firm of Winthrop, Stimpson, Putnam & Roberts in Manhattan . She attended Drew University and received her bachelor’s degree in 1984. She earned her law degree from the Pace University School of Law in 1987.

Jose A. Suarez, 42, of West Hartford (Republican). Suarez has served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Connecticut in Hartford since 1996. Suarez attended the University of Dayton and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1989. He received his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1993.

William J. Wenzel, 57, of Fairfield (Democrat). Since 1988, Wenzel has been an attorney in private practice with the law firm of Pullman & Comley in Bridgeport . Wenzel attended Colgate University and graduated in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree. He received his law degree from the University of Tulsa Law School in 1978. He served as the Director of the Connecticut Counseling Centers from 1995 to 2008.

Dawne G. Westbrook, 39, of Glastonbury (Democrat). Since 2003, Westbrook has been in private practice as the owner of Dawn Westbrook, Attorney at Law. Prior to that, she was an attorney with the law firm of Williams & Pattis in New Haven . From 1997 to 2000, she served as Assistant Commission Counsel for the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. Westbrook attended Fisk University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1992. She received her law degree from Vanderbilt University in 1995.

Glenn A. Woods, 56, of Middletown (Democrat). Since 1991, Woods has been an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Connecticut , serving as Department Head of the Workers Compensation Department. Woods attended Trinity College and received his bachelor’s degree in 1975. He received his law degree from the Antioch School of Law in 1979.