Donna Nelson Heller at a glance
- Current role
- Recalled Judge Trial Referee
- Jurisdiction
- Connecticut · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Donna Nelson Heller
Recalled Judge Trial Referee · Connecticut Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge Trial Referee in the Connecticut Superior Court since 1998
- Litigation partner at Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts (now Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP) in New York and Stamford
Education
- University of Pennsylvania Law School — J.D. (1980)
- M.B.A., University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business (1980)
- in Fine Arts, Bryn Mawr College — B.A. (1976)
Additional information
- She was appointed to the bench by former Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy in 2012 and confirmed by the Connecticut Senate
- Fairfield County Bar Association (past secretary, treasurer, director)
- Fairfield County Bar Foundation (past president)
- The Assistant Administrative Judge for the Stamford/Norwalk Judicial District of the Connecticut Superior Court and serves as presiding judge of Family Matters for that district
- Connecticut Bar Association (Professional Ethics Committee)
- Raymond E. Baldwin Chapter, American Inns of Court (Executive Committee)
- She is admitted to practice in New York, Connecticut, and the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the District of Connecticut, as well as the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
Statewide
Connecticut's Judicial Branch publishes statewide remote-proceedings information and Microsoft Teams guidance for attorneys and self-represented parties.
Remote Proceedings InformationRemote Proceedings Information ↗
Statewide
Connecticut remote-proceeding materials identify Microsoft Teams as the platform and include video, audio, and screen-sharing functionality, subject to judge and case-specific directions.
Microsoft Teams is a collaborative meeting application with video, audio, and screen-sharing features.Remote Proceedings Information ↗
Statewide
Connecticut states that, other than the official Judicial Branch recording, recording livestreamed proceedings is strictly prohibited.
Other than the official recording prepared by the Judicial Branch, the recording of livestreamed proceedings is strictly prohibited.Public Access to Court Proceedings Disclaimer ↗
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
Connecticut identifies Practice Book sections governing videotaping, photographing, and audiotaping Superior Court proceedings and separately identifies appellate coverage rules.
Rules regarding videotaping, photographing or audiotaping Superior Court proceedings are in Connecticut Practice Book §§ 1-10A through 1-11C.Media Frequently Asked Questions ↗
Courtroom Electronics
Statewide
Connecticut's media FAQ states that personal computers may be used for note taking in a courtroom, subject to applicable rules and judicial control.
Personal computers may be used for note taking in a courtroom.Media Frequently Asked Questions ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Public Access to Court Proceedings Disclaimer
Connecticut Superior Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Connecticut Judicial Branch official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Connecticut Judicial Branch official judicial roster ↗Remote Proceedings Information
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Remote Proceedings Information ↗Media Frequently Asked Questions
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Media Frequently Asked Questions ↗Public Access to Court Proceedings Disclaimer
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Public Access to Court Proceedings Disclaimer ↗