This spring the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA) Young Lawyers Section (YLS) organized a clothing drive of clean and excellent condition professional attire to benefit Save-A-Suit and Dress for Success Hartford. Countless pieces of professional attire were donated by CBA members at the CBA Law Center and law firms across the state.

“We wanted to bring together the YLS and the CBA through public service this year in ways that attorneys could easily participate. Thus, we organized a clothing drive and chose two organizations that serve our CT communities, Save-A-Suit and Dress for Success, on  which to focus our efforts,” said YLS Public Service Director Joanna M. Kornafel.

Members from the Save-A-Suit team accept the CBA YLS’ donation of professional attire.

“Our YLS team collected numerous donations of professional business attire for military veterans, college graduates, and low-income women to help support their job search process.  The generosity of the CBA community was astounding—I had more than an entire car full of clothes to drop off.   Thank you to all who took the time to donate!”

Save-A-Suit provides our former military and college graduates with professional business attire and the confidence needed to succeed. Dress for Success empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

"We sincerely appreciate the support from all of the young lawyers who participated in the recent drive,” said Save-A-Suit Executive Director and Founding Member Jessica F. Ewud. “It is amazing to see young business professionals get involved in their own communities to make an impact."

In addition to Attorney Kornafel, YLS Executive Committee members who assisted in the collection of donations were Joshua J. Devine, Elizabeth K. Moran, Lauren McNair, George F. O’Donnell, and Amanda G. Schreiber. Over the 2017-2018 bar year, the YLS collected gift cards and in-kind donations for My Sisters’ Place and the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness’ be homeful project, and volunteered with Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity. Additionally, every member of the YLS Executive Committee pledged to perform at least ten hours of pro bono service.

The CBA Women in the Law Section in association with the CBA Young Lawyers Section (YLS) Women in the Law Committee honored former US Attorney Deirdre M. Daly as the 2018 recipient of the Ladder Award at, “Pathways to Leadership for Women Lawyers,” held on March 28 at the Sheraton Hartford South in Rocky Hill.

The Ladder Award was created by the YLS Women in the Law Committee in 2007 to honor a woman attorney who has “left the ladder down” for those women who follow in her footsteps. The award is aimed at honoring the efforts of women in the legal profession who have recognized the importance of mentoring and supporting more junior lawyers in their own journeys to success in the profession. Attorney Daly has joined a distinguished group of female attorneys, including, Justice Maria A. Kahn, Diane W. Whitney, Hon. Anne C. Dranginis, Rosemary Giuliano, and Hon. Elizabeth J. Stewart.

Women in the Law Section Chair Jennifer E. Wheelock welcomed attendees to the inspiring event, before introducing keynote speaker, Justice Maria A. Kahn, who discussed implicit and gender biases. Justice Kahn began by sharing current statistics of women and men in law schools, law firms, and their salaries as a percentage. She reminded the women in the audience that despite these statistics, as females, “you are not immune to implicit bias.” She went on to note that, “we see gender and race, and that’s okay. It’s what you do with the information.”

Before YLS Women in the Law Committee Co-chair Choity R. Khan introduced Attorney Daly, Vanessa Avery and Natalie Elicker of the United States Attorney’s Office spoke of all that Attorney Daly had done as the 51st United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Attorney Elicker shared that her nomination was supported by 15 attorneys, some of which were men. Additionally, Attorney Avery shared that Attorney Daly “created opportunities for women in ways and areas that didn’t exist…It wasn’t about checking a box, it was about having a lasting impact.”

Attorney Daly was welcomed to the podium by a standing ovation from attendees. She ended the night optimistically, stating, “This is a very interesting time for women. There are opportunities for leadership. There is an opportunity for female voices to be heard—we cannot squander these opportunities. This is your time.”

Keynote speaker Justice Maria A. Kahn discussing bias studies.	CBA President-elect Jonathan M. Shapiro and CBA Vice President Ndidi N. Moses with 2018 Ladder Award winner Deirdre M. Daly.
Vanessa Avery and Natalie Elicker of the US Attorney's Office with 2018 Ladder Award winner Deirdre M. Daly.	(L to R) CBA Vice President Ndidi N. Moses, Chief Judge Janet C. Hall, Justice Maria A. Kahn, CBA President Karen DeMeola, 2018 Ladder Award winner Deirdre M. Daly, Women in the Law Section Chair Jennifer E. Wheelock, and CBA President Jonathan M. Shapiro.

“Connecticut Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section’s gift will bring a great deal of joy to children facing homelessness in more ways than one, as it will help us both give bears and books to children in shelters, and help a family remain housed,” stated Madeline Ravich, Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness’ development advisor and be homeful campaign director. For every $25 raised through the be homeful project, a child in a local shelter will receive a Paddington bear or book.

In recent years, the YLS has collected professional attire for Save-a-Suite and Dress for Success Hartford, and monetary donations for LiveKind, Inc., LEAP, and Life Haven Inc, and hosted a holiday party and collected school supplies and winter clothing for Hartford’s Frog Hollow community. In addition to collecting donations for local charities, the YLS has performed thousands of hours of pro bono service. This year, every member of the YLS executive committee has pledged to perform at least ten hours of pro bono service.

“Participation by the Young Lawyers Section was tremendous and exceeded our fundraising goals for the event.  We raised money for two wonderful causes, partnered with Faxon Law Group to sponsor the event, mixed and mingled with fellow lawyers in the state, and rung in the New Year,” said YLS Chair Aidan R. Welsh.

(L to R) YLS Real Estate and Property Law Committee Chair

Patricia (Paty) Jimenez and YLS member Justin Durelli

with collected donations for the two organizations.

The 2018 recipient will join a distinguished group of female attorneys, including: Justice Maria Araujo Kahn, Tanya A. Bovée, Diane W. Whitney, Nada K. Sizemore, Maureen Danehy Cox, Hon. Anne C. Dranginis, Rosemary Giuliano, Kathleen Brandt, Margaret Deluca, and Elizabeth J. Stewart.

Nominate a Candidate
To nominate a candidate for the Ladder Award, submit a letter of recommendation, no longer than two pages, describing the extent, type, and character of the leadership provided by the nominee. Nominees will be evaluated on the basis of their outstanding contributions to women's leadership development in terms of impact, sustainability, comprehensiveness, distinguished excellence, and leadership empowerment, particularly in mentoring junior female attorneys. The nomination letter should provide specific evidence of excellence worthy of this recognition. A curriculum vitae, biography, or resume of the candidate may also be included with the nomination letter.

Nominations must be submitted no later than Friday, January 12, 2018 to: YLSWITL@gmail.com.

Members of the Young Lawyers Section (YLS) volunteered with Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, November 4. The participants hung sheetrock and helped build a deck at a multiple duplex building site in Hartford. Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating, and preserving homes.

“Although none of us had any real construction experience, we all had a great time volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.  It provided a wonderful opportunity to help build more affordable homes in the Hartford area and to give back to the community,” said Joanna Kornafel, the YLS public service director.  “I’m looking forward to the next one!”

The YLS plans to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County in the spring.

The CBA YLS held its annual legislative breakfast at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford on May 3. Section members met with Attorney General George Jepsen, State Comptroller Kevin Lembo, and State Representatives Christine Conley and Stephanie Cummings at the event.

Both featured guest speakers, State Representatives Christine Conley and Stephanie Cummings, are practicing attorneys, in the first year of their freshman term, and sit on the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. They spoke about how their training as a lawyer has helped them focus on the issues, look at unintended consequences and possibility liabilities, and utilize their negotiating skills to achieve agreement outcomes. Similar to their careers in the legal profession, they both emphasized the importance of following through on what you say you will do and sticking to your word.

(L to R) CBA YLS Legislative Affairs Director
David J. McGuire, and State Comptroller Kevin Lembo.

 
Attendees listening to State Representatives
Christine Conley and Stephanie Cummings

The Women in the Law Committee of the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA) in association with the Young Lawyers Section (YLS) honored Judge Maria A. Kahn of the Superior Court as the 2017 recipient of the Ladder Award. She was presented with the award at the Women in the Law Committee program “Pathways to Leadership for Women Lawyers,” held on March 23 at the Inn at Middletown.

The Ladder Award was created by the YLS Women in the Law Committee in 2007 to honor a woman attorney who has “left the ladder down” for those women who follow in her footsteps. The award is aimed at recognizing the efforts of women in the profession who have recognized the importance of mentoring and supporting more junior lawyers in their own journeys to success in the profession. The Honorable Maria A. Kahn has joined a distinguished group of female attorneys including: Tanya A. Bovée, Diane W. Whitney, Nada K. Sizemore, Maureen Danehy Cox, Hon. Anne C. Dranginis, Rosemary Giuliano, Kathleen Brandt, Margaret Deluca, and Elizabeth J. Stewart.

 
After asking the audience for a moment of silence to recognize those who have helped them in their careers, the Honorable Maria A. Kahn shared her experiences as a child immigrant from Angola, Africa, who 11 years later became a citizen of the United States in 1986 in the Federal Court in Hartford in front of Judge Peter C. Dorsey, who two years later hired her as his law clerk. Judge Kahn noted, "I share my story not to focus on my own accomplishments but, rather, because my story is one of many that illustrates the greatness of this country."

As the first female judge of Portuguese descent in Connecticut, Judge Kahn greatly reflected on the importance of mentors and role models sharing, "As leaders in our profession we all must play a part in ensuring that the benefits and opportunities available to us will be there for others to come." She expressed that mentoring others is not optional for her, but that it is a responsibility she has to give back, concluding, "I truly believe that each one of us has an obligation to give back to our community. I guarantee that it will be one of the most rewarding aspects of your professional experiences."

The 2017 recipient will join a distinguished group of female attorneys including: Tanya A. Bovée, Diane W. Whitney, Nada K. Sizemore, Maureen Danehy Cox, Hon. Anne C. Dranginis, Rosemary Giuliano, Kathleen Brandt, Margaret Deluca, and Elizabeth J. Stewart. 

To be considered for the Ladder  Award, a candidate must be nominated by a letter of recommendation, no longer than two pages, describing the extent, type, and character of the leadership provided by the nominee. Nominees will be evaluated on the basis of their outstanding contributions to women's leadership development in terms of impact, sustainability, comprehensiveness, distinguished excellence, and leadership empowerment, particularly in mentoring junior female attorneys. The nomination letter should provide specific evidence of excellence worthy of this recognition. A curriculum vitae, biography, or resume of the candidate may also be included with the nomination letter. 

 Nominations must be submitted no later than Friday, January 20, 2017 to YLSWITL@gmail.com.

CBA-YLS recently presented a $1,300 contribution to the Connecticut Food Bank, the state’s nonprofit leader in the fight against hunger and the largest provider of charitable food donations. The organization serves approximately 600 local emergency food assistance programs in six of the state's eight counties.

The donation is comprised of the proceeds generated from a special spinning fundraiser the group hosted at JoyRide in Westport in conjunction with the CBA’s Healthy Lawyer Series, which promotes health and wellness in the legal profession.

Representatives from the Connecticut Food Bank were on-hand to accept the donation presented by CBA-YLS Executive Committee members and Zeisler & Zeisler PC associates, Joanna Kornafel and Patrick R. Linsey.  

The contribution to the Connecticut Food Bank is just one of many ways the Young Lawyers Section has given back this year as part of the “YLS Cup,” a year-long competition amongst executive committee members that places an emphasis on leadership and team building skills. In addition to hosting education programs and social events, each team is required to participate in a public service project.

“We have an obligation to not only give back to our communities, but to become active members of our communities and community organizations,” said YLS Chair Matthew S. Necci.

To date, the group has worked with non-profit organizations such as Life Haven, Open Hearth, and the Connecticut Trees of Honor Memorial.

Pictured from left to right: CBA-YLS Executive Committee Member, Patrick R. Linsey; Connecticut Food Bank Development Coordinator, Stephanie Decker; Connecticut Food Bank Director of Community Engagement, Sarah Morocco; and CBA-YLS Executive Committee Member, Joanna Kornafel.

CBA-YLS members at the group's spinning fundraiser.

On April 13, 2016 the CBA-YLS hosted its annual legislative breakfast at the Legislative Office Building. The event gave members an opportunity to meet with state legislators in a casual and comfortable environment. Members and legislators discussed both legal and legislative issues facing Connecticut. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill and Attorney General George Jepsen were also in attendance and gave some insight to the young lawyers about their careers. The event created and environment for young lawyers to learn from the experienced lawyers and legislators.

Speaking at the event was Tom O’Dea, State Representative for the 125th general assembly district. Representative O’Dea spoke about his past experiences and the amount of time and effort he had put into is law career. When asked what he would change if he were to go back and do things over in his career, Representative O’Dea stated, “If I could do it over again, I would do more volunteer work.” He furthered that comment by discussing the importance of pro bono work and how great it felt to help others. Later, Representative O’Dea offered encouraging words to attendees, “The point is, say yes to every opportunity you have, because you’ll never know where it will lead you to.” 

On February 11, the Young Lawyers Section (YLS)  Appellate Advocacy Committee hosted a panel discussion titled "Supervisory Authority and the Connecticut Supreme Court."

A divided Connecticut Supreme Court has recently and controversially increased its use of its inherent supervisory authority, a power that allows the court to decide cases based on new rules that are not required by existing law but that the court finds preferable as a matter of policy. This program featured a panel discussion on the history behind this inherent power, the court’s recent use of it (including in In re Yasiel, State v. Elson, and Blumberg Associates), and how it’s use of this power might impact future cases.

Moderator, Jennifer D. Miller of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, Appellate Bureau, navigated the discussion with panelists Wesley W. Horton of Horton Shields & Knox PC, Daniel J. Klau of McElroy Deutsch Mulvaney & Carpenter LLP, and James P. Sexton Taylor & Sexton LLC.

Presenting Sponsor

From left to right: Panelists James P. Sexton, Daniel J. Klau, and Wesley W. Horton with YLS Appellate Advocacy Committee Co-chairs Christopher Griffin and Jennifer D. Miller.

The Young Lawyers Section recently presented a $2,500 contribution to Life Haven, an organization offering emergency shelter for homeless pregnant women and women with young children.

“Public service is a key component of our section's mission, whether it’s through promoting pro bono efforts or hosting events that benefit important community groups,” said YLS chair Matthew Necci. "We were thrilled to have nearly 100 people came to our event and help us support Life Haven's mission."

The contribution was comprised of the net proceeds from the section’s annual holiday party held at Bar in New Haven on December 15, as well as a generous donation from Faxon Law Group.

“We were honored be a sponsor of the Young Lawyers Section’s annual holiday event again,” said Faxon Law Group’s Communications Director, Christina Acampora. “Life Haven is an ongoing recipient of our firm’s 10% Philosophy and with homelessness being the problem that it is today among entire families – sadly, right here in our own city and state -- we were thrilled to introduce YLS to the organization and see how they could help.”

Representatives from Life Haven were on-hand to accept the donation which was made in honor of the first YLS chair and former CBA president, Richard H. Bowerman, who recently passed away at the age of 98. 

YLS believes strongly in giving back and makes similar donations to a number of non-profit organizations year-round as well as participates in special annual initiatives such as the “$1 Million Pro Bono Service Campaign.”

Members of the Connecticut Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Section (CBA-YLS) volunteered at the Connecticut Trees of Honor Memorial, a living memorial to fallen Connecticut soldiers located in Middletown’s Veteran’s Memorial Park.

Every Connecticut soldier who passed away during post-9/11 conflicts is commemorated with a living tree and granite hero plaque, which are all arranged around a reflection pond. In anticipation of events commemorating Veterans’ Day, the CBA-YLS volunteered to mulch forty memorials on November 8, 2015.

The Connecticut Bar Association Young Lawyers Section (CBA-YLS) came out of the 2015 ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago with two significant achievements. The group was presented with Diversity Award and the group’s Chair-elect, Dana M. Hrelic (second from left pictured with officers above) was elected Secretary of the Young Lawyers Division.

Placing first in their division, the Diversity Award was given in recognition of the section’s Youth Law Academy held this past May. The program was designed to educate students about the law and to encourage them to consider a career in the legal profession. Over 150 students from across the state attended the event held at Quinnipiac University School of Law in North Haven where they heard from judges, lawyers, and law school faculty.

As secretary for the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (ABA-YLD), Dana Hrelic is the chief clerical and recording officer. She will eventually lead the group as chair during the 2017-2018 bar year and will be only the third member from Connecticut to serve in that role. At last year’s annual meeting, Hrelic was recognized as Star of the Quarter by ABA-YLD for outstanding her work, which lead to her subsequently earning a Star of the Year distinction.

In addition to her involvement in CBA-YLS, Hrelic also holds membership in the executive committee for the Appellate Advocacy Section and is a member of the Litigation Section as well as the Pro Bono Committee. Hrelic practices in the areas of civil litigation and appellate matters as an attorney and Partner at Horton Shields & Knox PC in Hartford.

The program is designed to educate students about the law and to encourage them to consider a career in the legal profession. The day featured a panel discussion with Supreme Court Justice Richard A. Robinson and Superior Court Judges Antonio C. Robaina, Nina F. Elgo, and Vernon D. Oliver as well as a mock law class with Judge Angela C. Robinson. CBA member attorneys participated in breakout sessions to engage students in small group discussions about legal concepts and explore potential career paths in the law. Students also got some tips on the college and law school admissions process from Karen DeMeola, Assistant Dean of Students at UConn Law and Kathy A. Kuhar, Associate Dean of Students at Quinnipiac University School of Law. The academy was supported with a generous sponsorship from Day Pitney LLP.

Hosted in the fall of each year, the Pro Bono Fair features representatives from the CBA’s Pro Bono Network who share pro bono opportunities and offer information about how attorneys can build their resumes, receive free training, gain valuable experience, and help their communities by volunteering to provide pro bono services in Connecticut.

Subgrants are awarded annually by the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (YLD), with support from the ABA Fund for Justice and Education. The program is designed to promote quality projects developed by affiliated young lawyer organizations and to assist in the success of the program by providing support through program funding for public service projects and bar leadership/membership service projects.

Proposals submitted for the subgrant included well-defined and achievable goals with specific measures of success, collaboration with minority bar associations and/or senior bar associations and the inclusion of underrepresented or diverse minority groups as well as additional unique characteristics.

Priority was to be given to projects that provided law-related service to the public to help meet their specific needs.