Cheshire Resident Appointed Chief Family Support Magistrate

Chief Court Administrator Patrick L. Carroll III announced Thursday the appointment of Family Support Magistrate John E. Colella of Cheshire to the position of chief family support magistrate, effectiveDec. 31, 2013.  

He will replace Chief Family Support Magistrate Sandra Sosnoff Baird, who has elected to become a family support magistrate referee.

Family support magistrates hear cases involving paternity and child and spousal support.  They are not judges but perform some judicial functions.  The governor appoints family support magistrates; the chief court administrator appoints the chief family support magistrate. 

“Chief Family Support Magistrate Sosnoff Baird has greatly enhanced the Family Support Magistrate Division since she took over this position nearly six years ago," Carroll said.  "Throughout her tenure, she sought creative and productive ways to help parents meet their financial obligations to their children, often through many obstacles and a daunting economy. I am pleased that Magistrate Colella has accepted this position, and I am confident that he will continue to improve the Family Support Magistrate Division.  

"He has extensive experience as a magistrate and as a mentor to new magistrates," he said."His leadership of the Chief Family Support Magistrate Division will be an asset to the Judicial Branch.”

“I am flattered that Judge Carroll has appointed me to this position,” Colella said.  “I look forward to working with my colleagues as well as with the various agencies that work diligently to benefit the children of Connecticut.”

Magistrate Colella was appointed to the position of family support magistrate in April 2001.  Since then, he has served on various committees designed to improve the family court system, including as chair of the Family Commission’s Financial Affidavit Revision Subcommittee.  

He also has served as an alternate member of the Judicial Review Council, a faculty member of the 2013 Connecticut Judges Institute and a mentor to newly appointed magistrates.  Additionally, Magistrate Colella received the New Opportunities Kay Wyrick Award, which recognizes efforts to reunite fathers, children and families.

Before becoming a family support magistrate, Magistrate Colella was engaged in the private practice of law, with an emphasis on family, real estate, probate and commercial law.