Joette Katz '77

Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Children and Families

As the youngest appointee in the history of the Connecticut Supreme Court, Justice Katz served with distinction on the state's highest court from 1992 until this year. She recently left that post to head Connecticut's Department of Children and Families.

"Justice Katz's many years of excellent opinions, reputation for fair-mindedness, active involvement in judicial administration, and substantial scholarship would alone qualify her for this important award," said Jeremy Paul, Dean, UConn School of Law. "What makes her the perfect candidate at this time, however, is that she has recently taken the courageous step of leaving her judicial post to head Connecticut's Department of Children and Families, one of the most challenging positions in state government. Her demonstrated sense of public spirit is seldom seen in recent times. With a record that has already earned her a place in State history, she is now shifting her talents to where she is most needed."