United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
About This Court
Established in 1789, this federal district court serves the entire state of Connecticut as a single judicial district within the Second Circuit. The court has jurisdiction over federal civil and criminal matters arising throughout Connecticut's eight counties, covering both urban centers such as Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport, as well as smaller communities across the state.
The District of Connecticut is one of the older and more historically significant federal courts in the nation. Its docket reflects Connecticut's diverse economic and population base, including substantial corporate and commercial litigation tied to the insurance and financial services industries headquartered in Hartford, as well as matters arising from the state's proximity to New York City.
The court operates divisional offices in New Haven, Hartford, and Bridgeport, providing access to federal court services across the state. It sits within the Second Circuit, whose decisions are binding on the district, and appeals from this court are heard by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York.
Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence, along with the court's local rules. Bankruptcy cases are handled by the companion Bankruptcy Court, District of Connecticut.
Divisions
New Haven Division (New Haven), Hartford Division (Hartford), Bridgeport Division (Bridgeport)
Caseload
The court handles a significant volume of commercial litigation, securities matters, and insurance-related cases reflecting Connecticut's financial services sector, along with federal criminal prosecutions and civil rights matters. Its docket also includes immigration cases and matters arising from the district's proximity to major metropolitan areas in the Northeast.
Bar Admission
Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the District of Connecticut by applying to the court and meeting its local bar admission requirements, which generally include membership in good standing in the Connecticut bar or another state bar. Specific procedures are governed by the court's local rules.
Clerk's Office
141 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 773-2140
Active Judges 13
| Name | Appointed By | Confirmed | Law School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janet Arterton | William J. Clinton | 1995 | Northeastern University School of Law |
| Victor Bolden | Barack Obama | 2014 | Harvard Law School |
| Vanessa Bryant | George W. Bush | 2007 | University of Connecticut School of Law |
| Robert Chatigny | William J. Clinton | 1994 | Georgetown University Law Center |
| Kari Dooley | Donald J. Trump | 2018 | University of Connecticut School of Law |
| Janet Hall | William J. Clinton | 1997 | New York University School of Law |
| Sarala Nagala | Joseph R. Biden | 2021 | University of California, Berkeley, School of Law |
| Vernon Oliver | Joseph R. Biden | 2023 | University of Connecticut School of Law |
| Sarah Russell | Joseph R. Biden | 2024 | Yale Law School |
| Michael Shea | Barack Obama | 2012 | Yale Law School |
| Alvin Thompson | William J. Clinton | 1994 | Yale Law School |
| Stefan Underhill | William J. Clinton | 1999 | Yale Law School |
| Omar Williams | Joseph R. Biden | 2021 | University of Connecticut School of Law |
Local Rules
84 local rules extracted from this court's published rules. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.