--- title: "Donna Nelson Heller | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/donna-nelson-heller" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Donna Nelson Heller Connecticut Superior Court · Judge Trial Referee ## Profile - Court: Connecticut Superior Court - State: Connecticut - Role: Judge Trial Referee - Service status: recalled - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### remote hearing platform Scope: statewide Connecticut's Judicial Branch publishes statewide remote-proceedings information and Microsoft Teams guidance for attorneys and self-represented parties. Evidence excerpt: Remote Proceedings Information [Remote Proceedings Information](https://jud.ct.gov/remoteJustice/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote hearing technology Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: Microsoft Teams is a collaborative meeting application with video, audio, and screen-sharing features. [Remote Proceedings Information](https://jud.ct.gov/remoteJustice/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### recording photography Scope: statewide Connecticut identifies Practice Book sections governing videotaping, photographing, and audiotaping Superior Court proceedings and separately identifies appellate coverage rules. Evidence excerpt: Rules regarding videotaping, photographing or audiotaping Superior Court proceedings are in Connecticut Practice Book §§ 1-10A through 1-11C. [Media Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.jud.ct.gov/external/media/faq.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### courtroom electronics Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: Personal computers may be used for note taking in a courtroom. [Media Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.jud.ct.gov/external/media/faq.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote recording Scope: statewide Connecticut states that, other than the official Judicial Branch recording, recording livestreamed proceedings is strictly prohibited. Evidence excerpt: Other than the official recording prepared by the Judicial Branch, the recording of livestreamed proceedings is strictly prohibited. [Public Access to Court Proceedings Disclaimer](https://jud.ct.gov/PublicAccess/Disclamer.html) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://jud.ct.gov/judsearch/JudgeLists.aspx?l=JTR) - [Official roster](https://jud.ct.gov/judsearch/JudgeLists.aspx?l=JTR) - [Connecticut Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://jud.ct.gov/judsearch/JudgeLists.aspx?l=JTR) - [Remote Proceedings Information](https://jud.ct.gov/remoteJustice/) - [Media Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.jud.ct.gov/external/media/faq.htm) - [Public Access to Court Proceedings Disclaimer](https://jud.ct.gov/PublicAccess/Disclamer.html) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/donna-nelson-heller", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/donna-nelson-heller", "name": "Donna Nelson Heller | KnowJudges", "description": "Donna Nelson Heller, Connecticut Superior Court. 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(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 ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Public Access to Court Proceedings Disclaimer](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-21bd1bf41ea720ef9ce0bb9f) — 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](https://jud.ct.gov/PublicAccess/Disclamer.html). Collected 2026-07-26.