► U.S. Judge Ellen Burns of Hartford: Connecticut’s 2018 Judicial Geezer Award Winner Print
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U.S. Judge Ellen Burns of Hartford: Connecticut’s 2018 Judicial Geezer Award Winner

 

The state of Connecticut presented Ellen Bree Burns with a law license in 1947 after she graduated from Yale University School of Law.

 

This annual award is presented to the Connecticut District Court judge who has distinguished himself or herself by refusing to retire from the bench even though in most instances they are holder than dirt.

 

The 2018 Geezer award winner’s attributes are as follows.

  • 95-years-old – DOB 1923
  • Appointed by Pres. Carter to District Court in 1978
  • Assumed senior status on September 1, 1992

It should be noted that Ellen’s choice to take on senior status meant that he was only required to work 10 hours a week while continuing to collect 100% of a full-time judge’s annual salary, which as of 2019 would be $208,000. Put simply, Ellen has been required to work a mere 10 hours a week for the past twenty-seven (27) years.

 

Had she retired in 1992 when she was eligible, she would have received a lifetime annual pension of $129,500,000. However, by refusing to retire, Ellen was entitled to all future pay increases, which subsequently added $78,500.00 to her annual wage and subsequent retirement.

 

I don’t know about you, but I would not be inclined to allow my legal matter to be decided by someone that is that is a part timer and 95-years-old. And that’s not to mean that I have anything against senior citizens. However, for Congress to allow this to happen is farcical at best.

 

And lastly, maybe this explains why they keep defibrillators, jumper cables and oxygen tanks near Ellen’s courtroom.

 

As we speak (ca. May 2019), Ellen continues to be employed as a part-time senior status judge for the District Court in Hartford, Connecticut.