(From Left to Right) Monte. E. Frank, CBA Vice President Emily A. Gianquinto, Cullen W. Guilmartin, The Honorable Maria Araújo Kahn, Thomas J. Sansone, James H. Stark, Joseph D. Garrison, CBA President-Elect James T. (Tim) Shearin, Rebecca A. Iannantuoni, Lucy Potter, Colleen M. Garlick, Linda Pleva, CBA President Maggie Castinado, Candace Bouchard, Robin "Zilla" Cannamela, Nicole M. Riel, and Cynthia I. Crockett
Over 300 legal professionals, community members, families, and friends attended the eleventh annual “Celebrate with the Stars” awards dinner on April 3 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville to honor individuals who have made an impact on the Connecticut Legal Community. The event began with a welcome from CBA President Maggie Castinado, who invited US Senator Richard Blumenthal to address the attendees. Senator Blumenthal noted the valuable input provided by many Connecticut attorneys in national legislative processes and thanked the night’s awardees for their various contributions.
CBA President Castinado, President-Elect James T. (Tim) Shearin, and Vice President Emily A. Gianquinto jointly presented the first recognition of the evening for members of the bar admitted in 1974, who were honored for their 50 years of practice with half-century pins.
The night’s awards presentation began with the The Honorable Anthony V. DeMayo Pro Bono Award. The winners of this award, as selected by the Pro Bono Committee, exhibit commitment to pro bono service and serve as role models for the profession. This year’s winners included Cynthia I. Crockett, Cullen W. Guilmartin, Rebecca A. Iannantuoni, and Nicole M. Riel.
Young Lawyers Section (YLS) Chair Sara J. O’Brien presented the Young Lawyers Section Vanguard Award to Colleen M. Garlick. Attorney Garlick was recognized for her commitment to the YLS, having held numerous leadership roles in the section and recently organizing multiple fitness and well-being events for section members. “When I first joined the YLS, it was an important part of my practice,” noted Attorney Garlick. “It’s important to surround yourself with older more experienced attorneys and its very rewarding to return that favor almost 10 years later.”
The night’s first signature award, the Citizen for the Law Award, was presented to the members of the Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates Board of Directors, Robin “Zilla” Cannamela, Candace Bouchard, and Linda Pleva. The board members were recognized for their promotion of animal welfare legislation in Connecticut and raising public awareness regarding the statistical connection between animal abuse and domestic and social violence. “Thank you to the bar for acknowledging the work we do,” stated Board President Cannamela. “Many of you will see our volunteers in court in support of Desmond’s Law and having animal cruelty cases appropriately adjudicated.”
The Tapping Reeve Legal Educator Award was presented to James H. Stark for his contributions to legal education during his over four-decade long tenure as a professor at the University of Connecticut School of Law. “There has been an explosion over the last 45 years in experiential education in American law schools,” stated Professor Stark. “To the extent that I’ve had any opportunity to play a role in that at my institution, I feel fortunate for being in the right place at the right time.”
Lucy Potter was presented with the Charles J. Parker Legal Services Award for her years of dedication to the delivery of legal services to the disadvantaged in Connecticut through her work at Greater Hartford Legal Aid Inc. “For nearly 40 years I went through each day mostly curious and sometimes very eager to learn what the day held in store,” noted Attorney Potter, speaking about her experiences working with those in need. “I mainly worked directly with clients who needed help making sure they qualified for food stamps, medical, or cash assistance. This often meant just getting the fuller story about the circumstances that had made complying with the rules difficult and in the process hopefully restoring some of their dignity.”
The Edward F. Hennessey Professionalism Award was presented to Joseph D. Garrison for manifesting a dedication to the highest ideals and standards of the legal profession. “The fact is that in looking at the folks that have received this award before now, I’m gratified and super honored to be in the same equality as the rest of them,” stated Attorney Garrison “I’m hoping that the nice things that were just said about me are things that all of you would believe are within your power to do yourselves, to be a lawyer and to do it in the right way.”
Thomas J. Sansone was presented with the Citizen of the Law Award for his significant involvement in a variety of civic and philanthropic activities and roles. “I am not and never have been a solo act,” noted Attorney Sansone. “I am surrounded by a phenomenal team of people who share the same values, sense of mission, and commitment to the community at the place I’ve called home for the last 30 years, Carmody Torrance Sandack & Hennessey.”
The John Eldred Shield Distinguished Professional Service Award was presented to Monte E. Frank for his continuous work in advancing the goals of the Connecticut Bar Association and his service in numerous positions of leadership with the CBA. During his remarks, Attorney Frank advised those in attendance that, “As lawyers we have extraordinary tools to help repair this broken world by performing public service, speaking up for those who can’t, doing community work, and never remaining silent when we see injustice and when the rule of law is threatened.”
The final award of the evening, the Henry J. Naruk Judiciary Award was presented to The Honorable Maria Araújo Kahn for her significant efforts in addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion during her tenure on the Connecticut Supreme Court. Speaking about her work with the Connecticut Judicial Branch’s Access to Justice Commission and Committee on Limited English Proficiency, Judge Kahn noted, “That work is among some of the most rewarding work I did as a state court judge. It goes to the core of what we do as judges and lawyers, administer justice in a fair and equal manner.”
Congratulations to this year’s Celebrate with the Stars awardees and thank you to everyone who attended this year’s memorable event.
View Photos from the Event