Norwalk attorney and former House Republican Leader, Lawrence F. Cafero, Jr., yesterday announced his intention to seek his party’s nomination for Judge of Probate for the Norwalk/Wilton Probate Court.

Cafero hopes to succeed Anthony J. DePanfilis, who has held the position for more than two decades and is not seeking re-election.

“Judge Depanfilis has left a legacy of excellence for our Probate Court and will be difficult to replace,” Cafero says. “If fortunate enough to be elected, it is my hope to continue Judge DePanfilis’ legacy and maintain the exceptional reputation the Norwalk/Wilton Probate Court has throughout the State.”

Cafero has been an attorney for over 35 years and currently has his law offices in Norwalk. Cafero earned his law degree from Western New England College School of Law in 1982 and practiced in Norwalk, with the late Donald Reid and Michael Corsello before joining the firm of Brown Rudnick of Hartford, CT in 1998, where he was a partner for 17 years. Since 2015, Cafero has moved his practice back to his hometown of Norwalk, where he is the principal of Cafero Law and Strategies, LLC., representing a variety of clients, including the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut. Cafero holds certificates from Quinnipiac Law School as a trained mediator as well as from the American Arbitration Association as an arbitrator. For the past 25 years, Cafero has served in a judicial role as the Due Process Hearing Officer for the Norwalk Public Schools.

“The Probate Court system exists to help families and individuals when they sometimes find themselves at their worst. It is at those times the Probate Court must be at its best,” Cafero says. “If elected, I would work to ensure fairness, competence, compassion and common sense for everyone who seeks the Court’s assistance.”

In addition to his legal practice, Cafero served as member and chairman of the Norwalk Board of Education from 1987-1993, and as State Representative of the 142nd Assembly District from 1993-2015. In Cafero’s last eight years at the State House, he was elected by his peers to serve as the House Republican Leader. “During my 28 years in public office, it was my privilege to serve the good people of Norwalk and Wilton and it would my honor to serve them again as Judge of Probate.” Cafero said.

Cafero, a life long Norwalk resident, continues to reside in Norwalk with his wife Barbara, where they raised their three children, Jacqueline, Christopher and Nicholas.