Fellows Spotlight
Hon. Cody N. Guarnieri
Connecticut Superior Court
- Why did you choose the legal profession as a career?
My focus in law school and as an attorney was geared towards criminal defendants. My interest was in understanding people’s rights, so I could better help people understand and advocate for their positions and rights.
- What do you enjoy most about being an attorney?
Over the course of my legal career, I began to get a sense of where justice lies. It’s not always the case that litigants are looking for perfect justice. The most fulfilling part of being a judge in my opinion is the opportunity to serve in this “middle” position, whether it’s by serving as the procedural safeguard or as decision maker. My goal is to help litigants find justice and give them the opportunity for justice to happen. In short, it’s very rewarding to be the voice of my community.
- What is the biggest challenge you have faced in the legal profession?
One of the biggest challenges as a judge is trying to be mindful when finding systems of accountability. As a newer judge assigned to a discipline I hadn’t practiced, I’m very cognizant to ensure that people feel there are opportunities to provide me with feedback. Accountability ensures that everybody feels they are being heard and are fully able to advocate for their positions. No matter what way the court decides, it’s important for people to feel that they have been treated with dignity and respect regardless of the circumstances.
- What do you like most about Connecticut?
As a life-long Connecticut resident, there’s so much to like about this state since I’ve called it home my entire life.
- Please share any community service you have participated in and are most proud of.
I’ve been involved in serving dinners at homeless shelters. When I was in college, I was one of the organizers of one of the homeless shelters in my college town. To this day, through St. Patrick and St. Anthony Church in Hartford, my elementary-aged kids, wife, and I hand out sandwiches to homeless people in Hartford on a recurrent basis. I think it’s important for my kids to see, not that we don’t just make a Christmas donation somewhere, but that we have the opportunity to hand out food to people who need help.
- Why is the Fellows Program special to you?
I love the educational opportunities that the Fellows program makes available. For instance, I had taken over the Roundtable program from Judge Armata at some point. Having conversations that advance discussions regarding these important issues in the law are very meaningful opportunities. It’s become the nucleus for many other Fellows programs.
- Please share any favorite Fellows-related memory (an event, a fellow Fellow, etc.), or tell us about your favorite Fellows program/event/committee that you attended or worked on.
Sometimes the Roundtable program partners with other community organizations. We had a Roundtable a few years ago that had to do with the legal community and gender/sexual orientation. We also had a Roundtable about storytelling in the law, which was incredibly entertaining.
- Do you have any thoughts about, or ideas or visions for, the future of the Fellows program?
The Executive Director of the Connecticut Bar Foundation is relatively new. In my interactions with her, I have nothing but the highest confidence in both the CBF and Fellows program. I think the programs we have are incredible. I love the fact that we are always looking for opportunities to present relevant, engaging, informative, and meaningful educational opportunities. I also believe that it is important for every Fellow to know that they’re a function of past people’s dreams and aspirations. If a current Fellow has a dream they aspire to achieve, they should follow it.
