City attorney leaves school board to run for probate judge
DANBURY — A Danbury attorney is stepping down from the city school board to run for the open probate judge seat.
Democrat Joseph DaSilva, Jr. announced his candidacy on Wednesday night, turning in his letter of resignation, effective immediately, to the school board that evening.
“Serving as Judge of Probate would be an honor that will allow me to help the people of my hometown,” he said in a statement. “Whether dealing with a loved one's estate or the adoption of a child, I will always be there to help.”
He seeks to take over for Republican Dianne Yamin, who announced earlier this year that she plans to retire after the November election. She's held the seat since 1990. A Republican candidate has yet to announce intentions to run.
DaSilva touted his experience practicing law for over two decades, trying cases in courts throughout the state and “helping people through civil disputes, evictions, family, and criminal cases.” He's served as a court appointed attorney trial referee, arbitrator and mediator.
“The Probate Court is a people's court that touches many lives,” said DaSilva, who has served as past president of the Danbury Bar Association and is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Fairfield County Bar Association. “I understand the real challenges that families face. I will always use my experience to balance the law with a caring and compassionate approach to helping people through both happy and difficult times.”
He said he wants to serve as probate judge because Danbury is his hometown and his parents, Joe and Linda DaSilva, taught him the “importance of giving back to our community.”
The Danbury High School graduate who earned his bachelor and master's degrees from Western Connecticut State University has his juris doctorate from Quinnipiac University. He and his wife, Dawn (Butler), have been married for 14 years and have two children, Lauren and Ryan, who attend Danbury Public Schools.
He's served as a member and trustee of the Wooster Hose Volunteer Fire Company #5, a member of the Board of Directors of the Danbury War Memorial, and as a Danbury Youth Baseball coach.
DaSilva was elected to the school board in 2019. In the letter of resignation he read to the board on Wednesday evening, he said he had to step down because “the rules associated with running for judge of probate prohibit candidates from holding other elected office.”
He is the third school board member to step down this year. Democrat Joe Britton left in January to serve on City Council, while Republican Kathryn Hodgdon resigned in March. Britton's vacancy was filled by Brigid Guertin, the city historian, while Ralph Pietrafesa, a former school board chair, took Hodgdon's spot.
“After tonight's meeting, it's bittersweet leaving because the students we have are amazing,” DaSilva told the school board. “The principals we have are amazing and certainly all our staff, and that's a wonderful testament to the city and this district and our administrations. I'm really proud to have been on this board”