Timothy D. Bates and Steven Spellman, both of Noank, were nominated by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy Friday to serve as Superior Court judges.

Bates and Spellman are among 16 new judges nominated by the governor. Bates is a partner at the Robinson and Cole law firm in New London, specializing in land use issues, and has served with several other law firms in the county. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University and his law degree from Columbia Law School.

“I am honored to be nominated by Governor Malloy,” Bates said in a prepared statement. “While practicing law, I have always tried to be involved in the community, and sitting on the Superior Court will provide a unique opportunity to combine my legal and community service interests.”

Spellman is currently chief of staff and director of government affairs for the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, where he has served since 1995. In addition to also serving in private practice, Spellman previously served in the Connecticut General Assembly from 1987 to 1992, representing the towns of Groton, Stonington, North Stonington, Ledyard, Voluntown and Griswold in the state Senate. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Union College and his law degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“I am very honored to be appointed by Governor Malloy and look forward to the confirmation process with the hope of being able to serve in this capacity,” Spellman said in a statement.

In addition to Bates and Spellman, the other Superior Court nominees are: Anthony V. Avallone of New Haven; Leo V. Diana of Manchester; Steven D. Ecker of New Haven; Tammy D. Geathers of Bloomfield; Jane K. Grossman of Hamden; Irene Prosky Jacobs of West Haven; Ingrid L. Moll of West Hartford; John D. Moore of West Hartford; Kevin J. Murphy of Berlin; Robert Nastri Jr. of Cheshire; Cesar A. Noble of West Hartford: Rupal Shah Palanki of West Hartford; Kevin S. Russo of Shelton; and Erika M. Tindill of New Haven.

Malloy also nominated Superior Court judges Eliot D. Prescott of West Hartford and Raheem L. Mullins of Cromwell to serve as judges of the Connecticut Appellate Court. He appointed Thomas J. Mullins of Farmington to the Workers Compensation Commission and Gladys Idelis Nieves of New Haven and Wayne R. Keeney of Greenwich to serve as a family support magistrates.

The 16 Superior Court nominations will fill approximately 26 existing vacancies, which includes the ones created by the elevation of Judge Mullins and Judge Prescott, according to Malloy. The governor said he does not intend to fill the remaining vacancies at this time and that additional vacancies are anticipated later this year.

“In selecting judicial nominees and reviewing the pool of candidates, I look to choose individuals with the experience, temperament and skills to be thoughtful, reasoned and fair jurists,” Malloy said.

“It is a careful, meticulous process because we want to ensure that the men and women who sit on our bench will serve our state with distinction, fairness, competence, ethics, and above all, respect for the people of Connecticut. I am pleased to nominate these two outstanding judges for elevation to the appellate bench, and proud to nominate these 16 outstanding attorneys for appointment to the Superior Court.”