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About Our Section

The Young Lawyers Section (YLS) has as its primary goals the promotion of justice, the encouragement of public service, and the promotion of diversity and education of young lawyers and newly admitted practitioners. These goals are achieved through the educational, public service, and community programs produced by the section’s twenty-plus statewide committees and the nine regional young lawyer organizations in the state. The section also serves a valuable social and networking role in introducing young lawyers to each other and assisting them in their transition into the Connecticut legal practice. The section includes all members of the CBA who are 37 years old or younger or who have been admitted to the Bar for less than six full bar years.

Section Executive Committee

Chair

Paige M. Vaillancourt

Rescia Vaillancourt PC
5104 A Bigelow Commons
Enfield, CT 06082
(860) 452-0052
paige@ctmalaw.com

Chair-elect

Sara Bonaiuto
Shipman & Goodwin LLP
265 Church St, Ste 1207
New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 836-2803
sbonaiuto@goodwin.com

Secretary

Olivia Benson
Updike Kelly & Spellacy PC
225 Asylum Street, 20th Fl
Hartford, CT  06103
(860) 548-2600
obenson@uks.com

Treasurer

Jermaine A. Brookshire Jr.
Herrick Feinstein LLP
2 Park Ave
New York, NY 10016
(212 ) 592-1597
jbrookshirejr@herrick.com

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The CBA wishes to further encourage and increase the active involvement of young lawyers, lawyers who no longer qualify for membership in the Young Lawyers Section, and diverse lawyers in the leadership and activities of CBA sections. The goal of the CBA Presidential Fellows Program is to provide such lawyers with an opportunity to become more involved in the substantive work of CBA sections, further develop their leadership abilities, and promote the section to other members of the YLS and the bar.

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Upcoming Events

EC Calendar

  • Sep 15
    Young Lawyer Section Executive Committee Meeting (SYL250915)
    Connecticut Bar Association
    538 Preston Ave 3rd fl, ste 301
    Meriden, Connecticut
    United States
    6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time)
  • Sep 17
    Using AI to Help Mediators, Attorneys, and Parties: Practical Insights from the Real Practice System
    Zoom Meeting - CLE Pass Eligible
    12:00 PM to 1:30 PM (Eastern Daylight Time)

    Professor John Lande developed the artificially intelligent (AI) Real Practice Systems (RPS) Negotiation and Mediation Coach tool to help (1) attorneys anticipate challenges, strategize, and represent clients, (2) mediators enhance preparation, communication, and decision-making, and (3) disputing parties make better decisions. They can use it before, during, and after negotiation and mediation sessions to gain insights and refine strategies. In this program, Professor Lande will summarize RPS theory, describe how RPS Coach works, and demonstrate the system by inviting people to pose problems from their work. RPS Coach is an example of AI tools that will become increasingly available for dispute resolution practitioners. This program will be relevant to practitioners at every stage of practice. Insights from this program will be applicable to other tools.

  • Sep 26
    What is AI? (EDU250926)
    Webinar – CLE Pass Eligible
    12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time)

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans. AI systems can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, problem solving and decision-making, often using data and algorithms, but require little to no human oversight. With the integration of more technology into our everyday lives, many have expressed concerns surrounding the accessibility and regulation of AI. However, without a proper understanding of AI and its functionality, there's a higher possibility of improper usage of AI and difficulty with the public's assimilation to it. This seminar will provide you with a deeper understanding of foundational concepts and applications of AI and how to navigate AI as an enhancement tool in the legal profession.

  • Sep 30
    HR Law for Solo and Small Law Firms (EDU250930)
    Webinar - CLE Pass Eligible
    12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time)

    Learn a practical overview of employment laws applicable to small firms from a human resources perspective.

  • Oct 14
    YLS Pro Bono Fair Golf Event (SYL251014)
    The Hartford Golf Club
    134 Norwood Road
    West Hartford, Connecticut
    United States
    2:30 PM to 7:30 PM (Eastern Daylight Time)

Latest Related News

  • 2025 YLS Retreat Website Thumbnail Young Lawyers Section Leaders Attend 2025 Annual Leadership Retreat and Receive Service Awards

    Tuesday, August 19, 2025

    The Connecticut Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section (YLS) hosted its annual leadership retreat on August 8-9 at Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard. The YLS Executive Committee holds this event each summer to familiarize new members of the committee with the duties of their leadership roles and to present awards to members of the committee for their service during the previous bar year.
  • Pathways Thumbnail Kimberly Jacobsen Receives the 2025 Ladder Award

    Tuesday, March 18, 2025

    The CBA Women in the Law Section, in association with the CBA Young Lawyers Section (YLS) Women in the Law Committee, presented the 2025 Ladder Award to Attorney Kimberly Jacobsen at this year’s Pathways to Leadership for Women Lawyers event on March 6 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville.
  • 2025 YLS Diversity Dinner Thumbnail CBA Young Lawyers Section hosts The Current State of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Tuesday, March 11, 2025

    Over 60 Connecticut Bar Association members gathered at Café Fiore in Cromwell on February 27 for the Young Lawyers Section Diversity Dinner: The Current State of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Section Annual Reports