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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.

Learn More

Upcoming Events

EC Calendar

  • Oct 23
    CANCELLED: Conservatorship, Title XIX and Probate, Oh my! (EDU251023A)
    Zoom Meeting
    9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time)

    20-year veteran Attorney Michael Fryar will walk attendees through the conservatorship process in probate, responsibilities of a Social Security Representative payee, the initiation of an application for Title XIX Medicaid, and strategies to successfully see it to completion.

  • Oct 23
    Ethical Considerations when Using AI (EDU251023)
    Webinar - CLE Pass Eligible
    1:00 PM to 2:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time)

    Over the last 70 years, AI usage has greatly shifted from primarily research and government purposes, to now aiding everyday citizens with minor tasks. Without proper regulation and supervision of public access to AI systems, there's been a domino effect resulting in both positive and harmful impacts in our society. This seminar will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the ethical considerations involved in developing and deploying artificial intelligence technologies. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into various industries and aspects of our lives, recognizing and addressing the ethical implications is paramount.

  • Oct 28
    Estate Planning Meets Insurance: Safeguarding Clients Against Long-Term Care Risks (EDU251028)
    Webinar - CLE Pass Eligible
    12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time)

    Effective long-term care planning requires a coordinated approach that addresses both legal safeguards and funding strategies. Attorney Mark Dost of Chipman Mazzucco Emerson, LLC will examine advanced estate and elder law techniques for protecting assets from the escalating costs of care, including the use of trusts, transfer strategies, and practical considerations in navigating Medicaid (Title 19) eligibility and compliance. He will also discuss common pitfalls and recent developments impacting planning in Connecticut.

  • Oct 31
    Bootstrap Your Briefcase: Cost-Effective Strategies for Generating Clients Online & Off (EDU251031)
    Webinar - CLE Pass Eligible
    12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time)

    In today's competitive legal landscape, growing your firm doesn't require a big-firm budget. This practical webinar is designed for any attorney looking to expand their practice with effective, low-cost marketing strategies. Join us to learn the essential "must-haves" for generating business both online and offline. We will explore the fundamentals of digital marketing—from leveraging social media to creating compelling content that attracts your ideal clients. You will also discover powerful offline techniques to build your network and generate referrals. Attendees will leave this session with a clear roadmap to increase their firm's visibility and build a sustainable pipeline of new clients, all on a budget.

  • Nov 03
    Is There a Form for That: What the Court Wishes You Knew About Procedure & Process in Criminal Court
    Webinar
    3:00 PM to 4:15 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

    Please join us for this 75-minute program featuring courthouse professionals who all interact with the cases on the other side of the bench as they tell us things they wish we knew. From topics as mundane as what form to file, the mechanics of pretrial diversionary programs, whether your client is able to pay the fine money with Venmo at the Clerk’s window, to topics like when and whether to file a memorandum in support of an AR application, and when TV cameras are going to be allowed, let’s get into the weeds.

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