In 1971, Mary E. Sommer graduated magna cum laude from the College of New Rochelle (CNR) receiving her bachelor’s degree in political science. With the encouragement of former CNR President, Sister Dorothy Ann Kelly, O.S.U., she continued her education, earning a Juris Doctorate from the University of Notre Dame in 1975. 

After earning her law degree, Sommer worked as a trial attorney and as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Norwalk, Connecticut. In 1986, she was named Corporation Counsel for the City of Stamford, Connecticut, a position she held for four years before co-founding Sandak, Hennessey & Greco, LLP, now Carmody, Torrance, Sandak & Hennessey, LLP, a statewide general practice law firm.

In 2008, Sommer was appointed a judge of the Connecticut Superior Court, where she presided over civil, criminal, family and juvenile cases until her retirement in 2023. During her tenure, she served on the Connecticut Judicial Branch Public Service and Trust Commission, the Judicial Review Council and the Rules Committee.

Sommer’s  extensive public service experience includes leadership and advocacy in juvenile justice, racial equity and immigration services. She has worked on juvenile justice initiatives, including adopting non-exclusionary juvenile discipline protocols, creating a truancy prevention docket and currently volunteers in a juvenile immigration services program. Her many years of service on the board of the Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut reflects her commitment to children’s mental health.  A member of the National Association of Women Judges, she serves on several committees which focus on rights of women and children.  Sommer is also a James W. Cooper Fellow of the Connecticut Bar Foundation where she serves on the History of Women in Law Project.

Aside from Sommer’s most impressive career, her roles as a former adjunct professor with the University of Connecticut, the University of Bridgeport and CNR, and as a faculty member for the University of Notre Dame Law School’s Intensive Trial Advocacy program, she volunteers at her parish, St. Catherine of Siena and St. Agnes (Riverside, CT) and for several non-profit organizations where she invigorates CNR’s motto, Serviam or I will Serve. Currently, Sommer’s non-profit board leadership positions include Chair- Hope for Haiti, Inc.; Vice Chair- Building One Community, Inc.; Founding Chair- Connecting Through Literacy, Inmates, Children and Caregivers, Inc.;  and Chair- Ferguson Library Foundation.

Sommer also served as a member of CNR’s Board of Trustees from 2016 until CNR’s closure in 2019, where she played an instrumental role in Mercy University’s teach out of CNR students and its adopting of the CNR alumni community. Sommer’s commitment and dedication to CNR have ensured its legacy lives on at Mercy University.

An exemplary role model, mentor, advocate, volunteer and community leader, Sommer is a true reflection of Serviam.