HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) -- Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy soon will make his fourth appointment to the state's high court, no doubt will leaving his mark.
Malloy, a Democrat, took office in January 2011. Since that time, he has nominated three justices to the state Supreme Court.
First, he named Lubbie Harper Jr., the third black justice in the court's history. Harper has since retired.
Earlier this year, he named Andrew McDonald and Carmen Espinosa to the court.
McDonald, who previously served as Malloy's legal counsel, is the state's first openly gay Supreme Court justice.
Espinosa is the first Hispanic to sit on the court.
Now, Malloy has the task of filling the seat of Justice Flemming Norcott Jr., who is set to retire this month.
In Connecticut, justices must retire at 70. Norcott, who was appointed to the court in 1992, will turn 70 Oct. 11.
Malloy must submit his nomination to the state Legislature for confirmation.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.