Senate confirms three nominees to Superior Court, filling local judicial seats

The Senate confirmed three nominees to the Superior Court on the floor today, approving Alexander N. Burke of Arlington, Susan Ann McManus of Manchester and Nava Spiro of Richmond to terms that will run through March 31, 2029.

The presiding officer read Burke’s appointment and the judiciary committee reported a 5-0 recommendation. According to his judicial office questionnaire, Burke said he wants "to continue to improve access to justice in our judicial system" and cited nearly 13 years as a deputy state's attorney as experience preparing him for the bench. The Senate recorded 26 yeas and 0 nays on Burke’s confirmation and the presiding officer declared him confirmed.

Susan Ann McManus was introduced next; Senator Sears of Bennington reported that McManus, a longtime public defender who resides in Manchester Center, also received a 5-0 judiciary committee recommendation. McManus told the committee she had "enjoyed practicing law as a litigator for the past 13 years" and said she was eager for a change that would allow her to "continue to make a difference in Vermonters’ lives." The Senate’s roll call for McManus showed 27 yeas and 0 nays, and the presiding officer announced her confirmation.

The final nominee presented was Nava Spiro of Richmond. Senator Vychovsky of Chittenden Central summarized Spiro’s education (University of Pennsylvania; George Washington University Law School), civil litigation background and pro bono work and reported a 5-0 committee vote in support. The Senate confirmed Spiro by roll call, 27 yeas and 0 nays.

Each appointment includes a term start date and an end date specified in the appointment language: Burke’s term was read as beginning Nov. 17, 2023; McManus’s term likewise begins Nov. 17, 2023; Spiro’s term was read as beginning Dec. 21, 2023. All three appointments were described as taking effect until a successor is appointed and qualified.

After the confirmations the Senate completed its orders of the day, heard routine committee announcements and agreed to adjourn until the date announced by the presiding officer.

Actions recorded on the floor consisted of the three confirmations with committee-reported 5-0 recommendations and roll-call confirmations as announced by the presiding officer.