Patricia R. Kaplan will receive the Edward F. Hennessey Professionalism Award posthumously at the CBA’s annual awards celebration, Celebrate with the Stars, on Thursday, April 8. Attorney Kaplan passed away on February 14 after a courageous battle with ALS. She was a true champion of access to justice for all and embodied the highest ideals of the profession.
She began her legal career as a staff attorney at New Haven Legal Assistance Association Inc (NHLAA) and rose to the role of executive director. Attorney Kaplan supervised junior lawyers and legal interns and taught at law schools, using every opportunity to teach the highest ideals of the profession to the next generation of lawyers. After retiring from NHLAA, she established a private practice, and offered pro bono and low bono services directly to clients. She left her door, email, and phone lines open to assist both new and experienced lawyers.