WESTPORT–Judge Lisa Wexler of the Westport Probate Court is seeking re-election in November, she announced today. The court covers Weston as well as Westport.

“Being your probate judge for the last 13 years has been a great privilege,” Wexler said in a press release announcing her run for another four-year term. “I have loved being able to help so many people in our community. I remain committed to fulfilling the responsibilities of Probate Judge with the utmost integrity, transparency and fairness. I hope that I have earned your trust and confidence for another term.”

While most people may know probate court for handling wills, trusts and estates, she said, “over half of our work involves people with special needs, including the elderly and those suffering from mental illness. As your Probate Judge, I use the tools available to me to try as best as I can to help those in our community who are the most vulnerable.”  

First elected in November 2013, Wexler gave up a private law practice to become a judge. During her time on the bench, she has taken steps to teach the public about various aspects of probate law. She opened the court on Tuesday nights for public lectures for years. She writes a free newsletter available via email. She regularly appears at the Westport and Weston senior centers and speaks before gatherings of trusts and estates professionals. And she made probate hearings available for the first time, via CDs, her announcement says

Wexler graduated from New York University School of Law, where she received the American Jurisprudence Award for Excellence in Constitutional Law, and from The Johns Hopkins University.

She serves as an advisory board member to Jane Doe No More, an organization devoted to erasing the stigma of sexual abuse, and a board member of The Jeffrey Modell Foundation, fighting primary immunodeficiency disease. She has been a continuous sponsor of Save the Children since 1986 and is a regular contributor to the World Wildlife Federation, her announcement says..