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(L to R) CBA Presidential Fellows Committee Chair Yamuna Menon, 2024-2026 Presidential Fellows Danielle A. Erickson, Kara Newell, Jasjeet Sahani, Benjamin B. Paholke, Chelsea Donaldson, and CBA President James T. (Tim) Shearin
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On December 3, the annual CBA Presidential Fellows Dinner took place at Grassy Hill Country Club in Orange, where Association leaders and past fellows introduced and discussed the program with the current class of fellows.
At the dinner, the 2023-2025 and 2024-2026 presidential fellows as well as additional attendees enjoyed dinner and a panel presentation moderated by CBA President James T. (Tim) Shearin. The Panel consisted of three past presidential fellows: CBA Presidential Fellows Committee Chair Yamuna Menon, CBA Membership Committee Co-chair Kyle LaBuff, and Johnny Ross III.
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(L to R) 2023-2025 CBA presidential fellows Emilio A. Estrella, Aaron Arias, and Miriam E. Hasbun; 2024-2026 presidential fellows Danielle A. Erickson, Kara Newell, and Jasjeet Sahani; 2023-2025 presidential fellow Tamara J. Titre; and 2024-2026 presidential fellows Benjamin B. Paholke and Chelsea Donaldson.
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The dinner marked the first in-person event for this year’s new fellows: Chelsea Donaldson, Danielle A. Erickson, Kara Newell, Benjamin B. Paholke, and Jasjeet Sahsani. CBA Presidential Fellows Committee Chair Yamuna Menon and CBA President James T. (Tim) Shearin began the event by welcoming the new fellows to the program. “These are the folks that define the profession,” stated Shearin, referring to various past presidents and other leaders of the Association attending the event. “What I would encourage all of you, as fellows, to do is to aspire to these folks who really represent people who have become ambassadors to the profession and help it move forward.”
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(L to R) CBA President James T. (Tim) Shearin, Johnny Ross III, CBA Membership Committee Chair Kyle LaBuff, CBA Presidential Fellows Committee Chair Yamuna Menon
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During the panel discussion, President Shearin asked each of the panelists about the reasons they had for applying for and participating in the presidential fellows program. Attorney Menon noted that the program helped her to connect with other members of the bar and develop as a leader. Attorney Labuff explained that the fellows program helped him to “build relationships, learn the craft, and see what the CBA does.” Attorney Ross pointed out that the program provided great opportunities to network with Connecticut attorneys when he was a new member of the CBA who had attended law school outside of the state.
The CBA Presidential Fellows Program was launched in 2015 as a prestigious leadership development program for the future leaders of the Connecticut legal profession. New Presidential Fellows are selected each year and assigned to the executive committee of a sponsoring CBA section. Graduates of the program have gone on to hold prominent leadership positions within the Connecticut Bar Association and the Connecticut legal community at large.
The CBA congratulates all the current Presidential Fellows and looks forward to seeing their development and achievements within the association.
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The current CBA Presidential Fellows were joined by the program's alumni during the event. The 2024-2026 Presidential Fellows are the 10th class of fellows since the programs initiation in 2015.
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