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| Newly admitted attorneys from across the state attended the reception. |
On February 9 the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA), CBA Young Lawyers Section, Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association, Connecticut Italian American Bar Association, Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, Fairfield County Bar Association, George W. Crawford Black Bar Association, Hartford County Bar Association, New Haven County Bar Association, South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut, and Tolland County Bar Association hosted a New Admittee’s Reception at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven Connecticut for all attorneys newly admitted to practice in Connecticut since 2020.
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CBA President Daniel J. Horgan and CBA President-Elect Margaret I. Castinado alongside representatives of the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association, Connecticut Italian American Bar Association, Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, George W. Crawford Black Bar Association, Hartford County Bar Association, South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut, and Tolland County Bar Association
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The event opened with a welcome from CBA President Daniel J. Horgan who informed the new admittees, “It is a privilege to be a lawyer in Connecticut. I say that because it is a great place to practice law. If you ask lawyers and judges in this state and the surrounding states, they will often tell you how cooperative, civil, and respectful the lawyers are to each other and tonight’s event is an example of that cooperative spirit.”
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| (Left to Right) CBA President Daniel J. Horgan; CBA Executive Director Keith J. Soressi; CBA President-Elect Margaret I. Castinado; Chief Justice Richard A. Robinson; Judge Ndidi Moses; Chief Judge William H. Bright, Jr.; Chief Court Administrator Judge Elizabeth Bozzuto |
CBA President-Elect Margaret I. Castinado introduced each of the four judges speaking at the event: Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard A. Robinson, Connecticut Appellate Court Chief Judge William H. Bright, Chief Court Administrator Judge Elizabeth A. Bozzuto, and Connecticut Superior Court Judge and CBA Past President Ndidi Moses.
Chief Justice Robinson congratulated the newly licensed attorneys and encouraged them to maintain proper decorum in their practice, stating, “Do your job and do your job well. Don’t fall for the anger and hostility. Don’t fall for the incivility. Those kinds of things are affecting the world and are definitely affecting the practice of law. We have to be above all of that and above it in big ways. Exemplify civility and respect. Behavior and words matter a great deal in a court of law… The bottom line is that if you are honorable and respect others and make integrity your hallmark, people will notice you.”
Chief Judge William H. Bright echoed Justice Robinson’s statements on the importance of civility and noted that, due to the reduction of in-person proceedings since the pandemic, “We lost some of camaraderie that takes place through those random meetings in courthouses. So, we have to work harder at that.” Chief Judge Bright noted that the judges of the appellate court are available to assist newer attorneys in developing skills such as oral arguments, brief writing, and how to interact with opposing counsel.
Judge Bozzuto reminded the new attorneys of the important duties associated with their roles, stating, “As our code tells us, the legal profession’s relative autonomy carries with it special responsibilities of self-government….We as lawyers and judges have the responsibility to see to it that all the good of this profession endures for decades and centuries to come.”
The reception’s final speaker, Judge Moses, advised the new admittees that developing relationships is the key to success as a new attorney, “It’s about being kind even when you’re tired and frustrated. It’s about answering phone calls, even when you don’t feel like it. It’s about reaching out to those when you see them suffering. It’s about building a family and building relationships.”
President-Elect Castinado closed out the reception, thanking the partner organizations in attendance for their support. “Speaking of the other bar associations in our midst, this event would not have been possible without their support and encouragement,” stated President-Elect Castinado.
The Connecticut Bar Association thanks the affinity and local bar associations that co-hosted the event as well as everyone who was able to attend.