Local Attorneys Announce Probate Candidacies

Two local attorneys have announced their intentions to run for the position of probate judge in Windsor's district, which also serves East Windsor and South Windsor.

The position became vacant when .

Before local elections are held, candidates of major parties must receive the nomination of their local committees.

Windsor Attorney Jim P. Welsh and South Windsor Attorney Keith Yagaloff have both announced their bids to win the democratic nomination for judge of probate.

Welsh, a lifelong Windsor resident, has served as Connecticut's assistant attorney general, special assistant attorney general and legal director for the Department of Developmental Services over the past thirty years.

Welsh's notable cases included serving as lead counsel in federal litigation that involved Connecticut Valley Hospital, Southbury Training School and Mansfield Training School.

He has also been involved in "thousands of Probate proceedings over the years, addressed the Probate Assembly on several occasions, and provided training to new probate judges on behalf of the probate administrator."

"I really believe my commitment and experience is a perfect fit for this position. It has been very encouraging, and humbling, to have heard from so may people who have heard about my interest and have begun to find ways to help me with this campaign," says Welsh.

Yagaloff is a South Windsor resident and attorney who is currently serving his fourth term on the South Windsor Town Council, where he sits on the Ethics, Audit and Personnel committees.

Yagaloff, who also served on the town's Board of Education, operates a legal practice that is "concentrated in the areas of probate, family law and civil litigation.

He has had "many appointments from area probate courts to represent children and adults suffering from cerebral palsy, dementia, serious illnesses, cancer," in addition to "a hot of other reasons," he said in a statement.

His experience in probate courts has involved cases of guardianships for children and the mentally disabled, conservatorships, probating wills, administering estates and probable cause hearings for committed persons.

He was also approved by the State of Connecticut to serve as a guardian ad litem for children in family and juvenile matters.

Windsor Democratic Town Committee Chair Leo Canty said the process to elect a new probate judge has a quick timetable for nominations to be made.

"We are at step one of the process and right away we need to be in step two, three and four," Canty said.

"This is all before we've actually come to rest with the tragedy of Brian Griffin's death," he added.

Governor Malloy is expected to declare a special election, which is expected to happen in the coming days.

Party conventions, a primary and then the special election will follow the governor's declaration.