The CBA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee has established The Karen Lynn DeMeola Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund (DeMeola Fund) at the Connecticut Bar Institute (CTBI). Interested persons and groups can provide financial donations the DeMeola Fund to support the efforts and initiatives of the Committee.

About the Fund

The DeMeola Fund will be used to support the mission and purposes of the Committee, including its advancement of the CBA’s Diversity and Inclusion Policy, Strategic Plan, and Connecticut Legal Community’s Diversity and Inclusion Pledge and Plan. The DeMeola Fund may establish and fund fellowships or scholarships, educational programming and events, or other diversity and inclusion initiatives related to the Connecticut legal profession. Initial contribution from the CBA Diversity and Inclusion Summit donations have assisted with the establishment of the DeMeola Fund and will be funded by other donations to the CBA’s diversity initiatives, from the Committee’s events, or the public.


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Karen DeMeola_smKaren Lynn DeMeola was the first person of color to serve as president of the Connecticut Bar Association (2017-2018 bar year), and a longstanding champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Connecticut legal community. She is the assistant dean for finance, administration, and enrollment for the UConn School of Law and has presented on numerous panels, symposia, and conferences on diversifying law school populations, implicit bias, intersectionality, inclusive leadership, and diversity and inclusion. Prior to her role as assistant dean for enrollment and students, she was a civil rights litigator in her solo practice. 

While serving as a CBA officer, she created numerous diversity and pipeline projects, including the CBA Pathways to Legal Careers Pipeline Program, which provides high school students with insight about the legal profession in hopes of encouraging talented and diverse students to consider a legal career.


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