BACKGROUND: I have been your probate judge for nine years. I bring experience, dedication and compassion to the job. I gave up my private law practice to avoid conflicts of interest. During Covid, I kept court open full-time. As your judge, I have published opinions, become a certified mediator, and instituted many reforms.

I am an active member of Kiwanis and serve on the Board of the Jeffrey Modell Foundation for Primary Immunodeficiency Research. I am on the Advisory Board of Jane Doe No More, a former Trustee of various local JCCs and synagogues and the recipient of an award from the Connecticut Association of Foster & Adoptive Parents.

I practiced law for over 30 years, concentrating primarily in trusts and estates and real estate. At NYU School of Law, I won the American Jurisprudence Award for Constitutional Law. I am a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University. I have lived in Westport since 1989 and love our town.

I ask for your support for re-election.

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Your interaction with our Probate Court should be easy, efficient and fair. As your judge, I have hired a superb clerk staff, two of whom are lawyers. We have shortened the time to receive your paperwork.  

Others can debate the merits of Zoom, but I feel strongly that in-person hearings are the best way to achieve justice and to resolve conflict. I am proud that most matters are heard in person within a few weeks.

We are friendly and helpful. We understand that most of the time, you do not want to be in Probate Court, so we make it as easy on you as possible.

In the last nine years, our caseload has increased dramatically. Last year alone, we handled over 3,300 matters, including estates, conservatorships, guardianships, mental illness proceedings, and adoptions.  

As your judge, I have successfully advocated in Hartford to prevent the erosion of services to those with dementia and intellectual disabilities. If re-elected, I will continue to do so.

In my next term, I wish to focus on improvements that can and should be made to help people with schizophrenia and other chronic mental illnesses. I am collaborating with a local psychiatrist to write an article with specific suggestions on how we can improve our system.

Education has always been my priority. Until Covid, I opened the court on Tuesday nights to teach various aspects of probate law. I regularly lecture at senior centers and other venues. I plan to resume public sessions in my next term.

If re-elected, I will strive to continue our record of accessibility and our reputation for excellence and caring commitment to our community. The reason I am running is because I love the job. It gives me an opportunity to help people.

For more information, or to ask me any questions, please go to www.lisawexlerforprobatejudge.com or email me at lisa@lisawexler.com.