3-way race for judge of probate
Cafero, Stern and Crosland seek Norwalk-Wilton post
NORWALK — The usual uneventful race for Norwalk Wilton Probate Court is anything but this year with long-standing Judge Anthony DePanfilis retiring after two decades of service and three candidates hoping to fill his shoes.
In the running are two criminal defense attorneys and a former state legislative leader.
Republican Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., an attorney and former state House Republican leader, was nominated by his party to run for the seat. He describes the court as an important and vital part of the community’s governance in helping families through difficult and challenging times.
“The Probate Court system is there to serve the people, but at times, the process can be cumbersome and intimidating,” said Cafero, who represented the 142nd District. “If elected judge of probate, I would work to make the operation of the court even more convenient and ‘user friendly’ than it already is, looking at all aspects of the court’s operation including hours, with a goal toward making the probate experience easier and less intimidating.”
The Norwalk Wilton Probate District —
one of 54 districts statewide — has jurisdiction over the city of Norwalk and the town of Wilton. The court handles the administration of estates, guardianship/ parental rights, helping persons with mental or physical challenges with legal issues, wills and trusts and name changes.
Cafero said he’s received support from Norwalk and Wilton residents of all political stripes and been told “probate judge is about people, not politics.” In addition to his party’s endorsement, he said he’s garnered enough signatures to seek the nomination of the Independent Party in which case his name would appears at two locations on the November ballot.
The lifelong Norwalker has served 22 years in the General Assembly — eight as leader of his party — and chaired the Norwalk Board of Education. A graduate of Western New England College School of Law, Cafero has worked more than 35 years as an attorney, is a certified arbitrator and has served the past 25 years as the due-process hearing officers for Norwalk Public Schools.
Whom Cafero will face in November remains up in the air.
At the Democratic convention, attorney and At-Large
Norwalk Councilman Douglas Stern defeated attorney and former Norwalk NAACP President Darnell Crosland, 35 to 16 votes, with three abstentions. Crosland’s winning of at least 15 percent of the delegates guarantees a primary Aug. 14.
“I seek the honor of being probate judge for the 51st Probate District because it is such an interesting and important position that is tasked with helping families of Norwalk and Wilton during the most significant and stressful periods of their lives,” Stern said.
“Not only is the job intellectually challenging, but also requires a demeanor, a professionalism, a sense of fairness and a patient attitude. What I enjoy most about being a criminal defense attorney is being able to help my clients during the most significant and stressful periods of their lives where poverty, mental illness, addiction and parenting challenges are often all present during the time a typical client is facing charges filed by the State,” he added.
Upon graduation from Tulane University's School of Law, Stern formed a solo practice focused primarily on criminal defense. He served two years on the Norwalk Zoning Commission before being elected to the council in 2017. In addition to his work as an attorney, he serves on Family & Children’s Agency board
of directors.
Crosland, a fellow criminal defense attorney, said he has been running for probate judge for the last four years. He lost to DePanfilis in 2014.
“This isn’t a decision I made a month ago, it’s something I have been pursuing for a long time now,” Crosland said.
He said he’s running based upon his desire to serve. After leaving Stamford and purchasing a home in Norwalk 12 years ago, he said he asked himself how he could best do that in his new hometown.
“As an ambitious and successful lawyer, I knew my skills would be best used to serve the court,” Crosland said. “The Probate Court also interested me because I knew it would give me a chance to interact with people, to draw on my past experiences as a juvenile probation officer, in that I have worked with many families. All in all, I have a desire to serve, not just occupy a position like on City Council. I have remained focused on that goal. I have not flipped flopped, and I am the only candidate most likely to win come November.”
A graduate of Georgia State Law University, Crosland moved to Fairfield County after landing a clerkship in state Superior Court in Stamford. He served on the board of directors of Shelter for the Homeless for seven years.