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Diversity and Inclusion Policy

The Connecticut Bar Association is committed to diversity in its membership, officers, staff, House of Delegates, Board of Governors, executive committee, sections and committees, and their respective leaders. Diversity is an inclusive concept encompassing gender, gender identity, race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, and disability.

We are a richer and more effective association because of diversity, as it increases our association’s strengths, capabilities, and adaptability. Through increased diversity, our organization can more effectively address member and societal needs with the varied perspectives, experiences, knowledge, information, and understanding inherent in a diverse relationship.

Unanimously approved by the CBA House of Delegates on 03/23/15.


Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee

The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee is charged with implementing the Diversity and Inclusion Policy and will adopt, monitor, and promote a diversity and inclusion plan to achieve a genuine, sustainable diverse and inclusive environment within the CBA, throughout its membership and the Connecticut legal community at large.

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The Connecticut Legal Community’s Diversity & Inclusion Pledge & Plan

The Pledge and Plan brings together legal leaders in the state to enhance diversity and inclusion in the Connecticut legal community. Connecticut legal organizations can sign a pledge to create more diverse and inclusive environments and be apart of a collective plan to achieve this goal.

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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Summit

 The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Summit: The Collaborative Blueprint is an innovative and collaborative professional development experience designed to empower leaders in the legal profession to act toward making Connecticut a more diverse and inclusive bench and bar. Through collaborative workshops and panel discussions, you will gain knowledge and inspiration to help you lead your organization into a revolutionary transformation that will make a positive effect in the realm of diversity and inclusion in the state of Connecticut.

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CBA Pipeline Initiatives

CBA Pipeline Initiative programs encouraging talented and diverse students to consider a legal career.

LAW Camp

Pathways to Legal Careers

CBA Future of the Legal Profession Scholars Program

The CBA Future of the Legal Profession Scholarship Program (FLPSP) aims to address the lack of representation in the legal field and to increase the pipeline of diverse talent that enters the legal profession in Connecticut. As part of the program, participants will receive a scholarship to take the LSAT preparation course and participate in events and programs to prepare them for their law school journey and engage them with the Connecticut legal community.
 
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Events

News

  • 2024 DEI Summit Thumbnail CBA Hosts 2024 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Summit

    Wednesday, November 6, 2024

    The Connecticut Bar Association hosted its 9th Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit on October 25 at CT State Community College’s Gateway campus in New Haven. About 150 members of the Connecticut legal community attended the Summit to hear from distinguished speakers, who provided assessments on the state of DEI in the legal community and strategies for improving DEI initiatives within legal organizations.
  • law camp logo CBA Hosts 2024 LAW Camp In-Person for High School Students

    Monday, July 22, 2024

    During the week of July 8-12, the CBA hosted its first in-person LAW camp since 2019 in New Haven for a group of 36 Connecticut high school students. LAW Camp exposes high school students to the legal profession and teaches them critical and analytical thinking to help them succeed in their educational and professional careers.
  • 2023 DEI Summit Website Thumbnail CBA Hosts First In-Person Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit Since 2019

    Tuesday, October 31, 2023

    After three years of virtual events, the Connecticut Bar Association’s eighth Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Summit returned in person on October 20. Over 150 members of the Connecticut legal community gathered at the University of Connecticut School of Law for the Summit.

Member Spotlights

  • Robert Burnes Native American Heritage Month Member Spotlight |Robert Burnes

    Wednesday, November 27, 2024

    Captain Robert Burnes (Cherokee Warrior-Cherokee Nation) works, alongside his family, to further Native American rights, to enforce treaties, and to dispel misinformation about Indigenous American appearance, customs, and history that is often misrepresented in the entertainment industry. After retiring from the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Office of Justice Services, Attorney Burnes created The Grey Winds Project to train and assist local and tribal police in missing persons/missing persons at-risk investigations.
  • Jennifer R Rawlings Native American Heritage Month Member Spotlight | Jennifer R. Rawlings

    Tuesday, November 26, 2024

    Jennifer R. Rawlings is a native of New Haven and a senior contracts manager in the Office of Research Administration at Yale University. She is also a director at the Center for Indigenous Peoples Rights, a non-profit, Indigenous led organization the provides low cost and free legal services to Indigenous people and communities.
  • JML Headshot National Disability Employment Awareness Month Spotlight | John M. Letizia

    Wednesday, October 30, 2024

    John M. Letizia is the managing and founding partner of the employment, healthcare, workers’ compensation, and corporate defense firm Letizia Ambrose & Falls PC in New Haven.