Judicial Review Council nominee Rhonda Tobin says council must balance confidentiality and public trust as complaints rise

Rhonda J. Tobin, managing partner of Robinson & Cole, told the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee on Feb. 11 that she would apply a consensus‑oriented, evidence‑based approach if confirmed as chair of the Judicial Review Council.

Tobin told the panel the council’s core function is to receive and investigate complaints about the conduct of the state judiciary — including judges, family support magistrates and workers’ compensation commissioners — and then deliberate, following a defined process that ranges from dismissal to private admonishment, public censure or referral to the state Supreme Court. She said investigations include review of transcripts and, where available, audio recordings to assess demeanor as well as words.

"The Judicial Review Council performs a critical role to address…