Judge Susan B. Handy, who has spent much of her 22-year judicial career handing down decisions and sentences in New London courtrooms, received a Public Service Award Wednesday from the University of Connecticut Law School Alumni Association.

Handy, who received her law degree in 1980, was one of four UConn Law School graduates honored at the Alumni Association’s annual meeting and awards dinner at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.

She said in a phone interview Thursday that it was an amazing evening because she was surrounded by family — including siblings who flew in from the West Coast — and close friends while being honored for doing a job that she feels privileged to have.

In a speech to the 250 people who attended the event, Handy, a native of Shrewsbury, Mass., attributed her successes to luck and opportunity.

In 1976, while working as a teacher at New London High School, UConn law professor Neil Scanlon pulled her aside after hearing her advocate on behalf of teachers at a union arbitration session.

Scanlon encouraged Handy to go to law school, and she was accepted in the fall of 1977.

Handy joined the law firm of Conway, Londregan, Leuba, McNamara and Sussler after graduation and was mentored by attorney Robert C. Leuba, who later became a judge and was the first recipient of the UConn Law Public Service Award in 1974.

Leuba, now a judge trial referee, attended Wednesday’s awards dinner, according to Handy.

Encouraged by longtime Stonington First Selectman Jim Spellman to apply for a judgeship, Handy put in an application but didn’t hold out a lot of hope because she had been registered as an independent voter her entire life.

As luck would have it, she said, Gov. Lowell Weicker was elected on an independent ticket, and in 1993 he nominated Handy to the bench.

“Luck and opportunity. I have certainly been blessed with both. And if that luck has given me the opportunity to serve the people of the great state of Connecticut, then I surely have been the luckiest of all,” Handy said in accepting the public service award.

Handy, who is 66, took senior status last year and hears criminal and civil cases on a part-time basis.

She remains committed to educational pursuits, serving as a member of the Criminal Jury Instruction Committee, co-chairing the Judicial Medical Committee’s events subcommittee and serving on the faculty for newly appointed judges.

She is a past member of the Judicial Rules Committee, the Judicial Executive Committee and the Judicial Review Council. She is a member of the New London County Bar Association and the Connecticut Bar Association, serving on the Civics Education Committee.

Other UConn law graduates honored Wednesday included state Supreme Court Justice Andrew J. McDonald, who received the Distinguished Graduate Award.

Attorney Martha Stone, founder and executive director of the Center for Children’s Advocacy, received a Distinguished Service Award.

Attorney Robert M. Langer, a partner in the litigation department of the Wiggin and Dana law firm, received the Medal of Excellence.

k.florin @theday.com

Twitter: @KFLORIN