Longtime Stonington attorney and former first selectman Nick Kepple has announced that he will run for the vacant judgeship with the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Probate Court.

The 59-year-old Democrat is the first person to announce that he plans to run for the vacancy which was created by the death of Fred Palm Jr. last month. The two parties will hold caucuses to choose their candidate later this month. A primary, if needed, would be held June 21 with the special election on Aug. 16. The court covers the communities of Groton, Ledyard, Stonington and North Stonington.

"Throughout my career as a general law practitioner I have represented numerous clients before various Probate Courts in the region on the full range of matters which come before the Court. I have also served as court-appointed counsel on Probate matters. This broad experience with the Court, whether on the probating of estates, will contests, guardianships, adoptions, conservatorships, and special needs trusts, among other matters, has prepared me to help the region's residents during what is often a very difficult time in their lives," Kepple said in a statement announcing his candidacy. "I intend to run a vigorous campaign for this position between now and the special election on August 16, 2011, which will be based upon forty years of professional experience and community involvement throughout these four towns.

Kepple said Monday that he decided to seek the Democratic nomination because he thoroughly enjoys his work in the probate court. He added that the recent consolidation of the courts from the four town means he could work full time as the probate judge. He currently is the president of the law firm of Kepple, Cole-Chu, Cipparone, Avena & Zaccaro but would step away from that job is elected.

Kepple is the town attorney for Waterford and Eastford and is involved in a large number of community organizations.

j.wojtas@theday.com