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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

  • correct_diversity_summit_log CBA Hosts Seventh Annual Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Summit

    Tuesday, October 25, 2022

    On October 19, more than 150 people attended the CBA’s seventh annual Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Summit: The Collaborative Blueprint. The interactive and engaging virtual summit explored strategies for increasing retention in legal organizations and creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive legal community within Connecticut.
  • cba_logo_rgb_small CBA Denounces the Recent Hate Motivated Shootings Throughout the Country

    Tuesday, May 17, 2022

    The Connecticut Bar Association denounces the three hate motivated mass shootings that took place last week targeting Black and Asian communities.
  • correct_diversity_summit_log CBA Hosts Sixth Annual Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Summit

    Monday, October 25, 2021

    On Wednesday, October 20, more than 170 people attended the CBA’s sixth annual Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Summit: The Collaborative Blueprint. The interactive and engaging virtual summit explored strategies for increasing retention in legal organizations and creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive legal community within Connecticut.

Member Spotlights

  • napoli_michelle_800x800_72 Women's History Month Member Spotlight | Michelle Napoli

    Thursday, March 23, 2023

    Michelle Napoli is a partner in the Hartford and Bridgeport offices of Morrison Mahoney LLP, where she concentrates her practice in the areas of professional liability defense, premises liability, construction defect, dram shop and hospitality defense, transportation liability, uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, product liability, alternative dispute resolution and tort defense.
  • Kathryn-Bissonnette Women's History Month Member Spotlight | Kathryn L. Bissonnette

    Wednesday, March 8, 2023

    Kathryn L. Bissonnette is a partner at Brown Paindiris & Scott LLP who has dedicated most of her career to family law. She is the head of the firm’s family law department.
  • Ogilvie-Moy-Bio2-414x456 Black History Month Member Spotlight | Moy N. Ogilvie

    Monday, February 20, 2023

    Moy N. Ogilvie is the Hartford office managing partner at McCarter & English LLP. Her areas of practice include product liability, toxic tort and pharmaceutical matters. She handles state and federal court matters involving exposure to various chemicals or products such as petroleum products, solvents, benzene, silica, asbestos, radiation and PCBs.