Embarassing Depo Wins Conn. Sect'y of State the Right to Run for AG Job
The embarrassing deposition was apparently worthwhile: A Duke University law graduate now serving as Connecticut’s secretary of state has won a court ruling that she has sufficient legal experience to run for election as the state’s attorney general.
Hartford Superior Court Judge Michael Sheldon ruled today that Susan Bysiewicz’s work as secretary of state counts as “active practice of law,” thus putting her over the 10-year practice threshold required by state law for attorney general candidates, reports the Connecticut Law Tribune.
Bysiewicz sued seeking to force the Democratic Party to recognize that she is qualified for the attorney general job, and then got caught in a political crosswind from the Republican Party as the case progressed:
Although she previously worked for six years in law firms and two as in-house counsel before moving to state government, she admitted in a several-day deposition under Republican questioning that she has no trial experience and has only very rarely been inside a courtroom. At one point, Bysiewicz sought a court order sealing the deposition transcript and video before dropping the effort.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Would-Be AG Drops Motion to Seal Depo in Which She Discusses Why She Is Qualified for Office”
ABAJournal.com: “Watch the Video: Would-Be AG Says She’s Qualified Despite Zero Trial Experience”
