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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.

View a complete list of past YLS Chairs

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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CBA Presidential Fellows Program

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.

Learn More

Upcoming Events

EC Calendar


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    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.
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    Tuesday, February 18, 2025

    Alison J. Toumekian will receive the 2025 Young Lawyers Section Vanguard Award at the CBA’s annual awards ceremony, Celebrate with the Stars, on Wednesday, April 9.
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Section Annual Reports

Annual Report