--- title: "Karen L. DeMeola | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-l-demeola" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Karen L. DeMeola Connecticut Superior Court · Superior Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Connecticut Superior Court - State: Connecticut - Role: Superior Court Judge - Service status: active - 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=SUPERIOR) - [Official roster](https://jud.ct.gov/judsearch/JudgeLists.aspx?l=SUPERIOR) - [Connecticut Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://jud.ct.gov/judsearch/JudgeLists.aspx?l=SUPERIOR) - [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/karen-l-demeola", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-l-demeola", "name": "Karen L. DeMeola | KnowJudges", "description": "Karen L. DeMeola, Connecticut Superior Court. 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DeMeola", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-l-demeola" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Connecticut Superior Court Judge, confirmed in May 2023, and a former UConn School of Law assistant dean and civil rights litigator known for her work in diversity, equity, and inclusion. - At UConn School of Law, she served in multiple roles — admissions director, assistant dean of students, assistant dean of finance and administration — and in October 2022 became the inaugural assistant dean for diversity, belonging, and community engagement UConn Today ### Education - University of Connecticut School of Law — J.D. (1996) - Undergraduate degree, Psychology, University of Connecticut ### Additional information - Governor Ned Lamont nominated Karen L. DeMeola to the Connecticut Superior Court on March 29, 2023. - She was sworn in on May 4, 2023 UConn Today. - Her honors include the John Eldred Shields Distinguished Professional Service Award (2023), the Edwin Archer Randolph Diversity Award, the Maria Miller Stewart Award, and the Constance Baker Motley Award UConn Today. - In 2020, the Connecticut Bar Association established the Karen Lynn DeMeola Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund in her honor Connecticut Bar Association. - President of the Connecticut Bar Association (2017–2018), the first person of color to hold that role. - she is assigned to Judicial District (JD) matters Connecticut Judicial Branch. - She worked for four years as a civil rights litigator focusing on employment discrimination, police brutality, and housing discrimination before joining. - She has taught diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession and trained on topics such as implicit bias, intersectionality, and inclusive leadership Connecticut Bar Association. - She also serves on the boards of the Connecticut Legal Rights Project, Connecticut Bar Foundation, National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, and the Governor’s Commission on Women and Girls STEAM Subcommittee, and is an emeritus board member. - After endorsement by the state legislature’s Judiciary Committee, both the House and Senate voted to confirm her. - She co‐chaired the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, chaired the Pro Bono Committee, and created the Pathways to Legal Careers Pipeline Program to encourage diverse students into law Connecticut Bar Association. ## 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.