Mark D. Nielsen was sworn in today as Governor Mitt Romney’s chief legal counsel, replacing Daniel B. Winslow, who is stepping down after serving almost two years in the position.
Nielsen, a native of Southwick, Massachusetts and graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, has been practicing law in Connecticut for the past 14 years. He served two terms in the Connecticut Senate and one term in the House as a Republican representing the greater Danbury area.
Winslow, a former District Court judge, will continue to serve the governor in an advisory capacity.
“Governor Romney’s record as a dynamic and effective leader is what attracted me to this job,” said Nielsen. “I’m pleased to be back in Massachusetts, where I grew up and went to college, and I’m excited about being part of the administration and its efforts to reform state government.”
Romney praised Winslow for his service and credited him with reorganizing the legal function in the Executive Branch, launching the first-ever, web-based “virtual law office” and contributing to reforms of the judiciary.
The Governor also welcomed Nielsen to his senior staff and said he looked forward to his advice and counsel.
“With his background in the law and public policy, Mark brings a wealth of public sector service that I’m sure will enable him to do an outstanding job as chief legal counsel,” said Romney.
After graduating with honors from Harvard Law School in 1989, Nielsen clerked for former Supreme Judicial Court Justice Neil Lynch. He moved to Connecticut in 1990 and practiced law there.
As a legislator, Nielsen sponsored numerous improvements to Connecticut’s system for protecting abused and neglected children, played a key role in shaping that state’s landmark 1995 welfare reform law and was a reliable voice for fiscal restraint.
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