The State of the Connecticut Legal Community’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Journey (CDC231020-C)

Friday, October 20, 2023

12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Presented by the CBA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee

About the Program

Connecticut’s legal community, including the bench and the bar, have maintained longstanding commitments to the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our profession, our courts, and society at large.  Our panelists, all leaders in these efforts, will take stock of our collective, organizational, and individual DE&I efforts of the past, present, and future.  The panel will speak to ongoing initiatives and efforts, and address recent developments, such as the U.S. Supreme Court decision in SFFA v. Harvard  and SFFA v. UNC.  Panelists will also address a number of pressing questions, including: Are these efforts still important or necessary today?  What is the goal, or “desired end result”, of our DE&I commitments and work?  What are the hallmarks of successful DE&I initiatives, particularly in the present day legal, political, cultural, and social context? What have we learned and achieved from the past several decades of our many DE&I programs, investments, and accomplishments?  Which of our efforts have created successful outcomes, and which have not produced the desired effect? How have these efforts evolved over time, and what are best practices that may be implemented for the future?  Join us for what promises to be a thoughtful and inspiring reflection on the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Connecticut legal community.  

Credit

1.5 CT CLE Credits (Ethics)

Speakers

Hon. Karen L. DeMeola
Connecticut Superior Court, Putnam

Troy Brown1 Troy Brown
Connecticut Judicial Branch, Hartford

Margaret I. Castinado1 Maggie Castinado
Immediate past President of the CBA, Office of the Public Defender, New Haven

Goodbaum Josh1 Joshua R. Goodbaum
Garrison Levin-Epstein Fitzgerald & Pirrotti PC, New Haven

Alexis Smith1 Alexis H. Smith
New Haven Legal Assistance Association Inc., New Haven

Moderator

Monte Frank Monte E. Frank
Pullman & Comley LLC, Bridgeport