Hundreds of legal professionals gathered for the 2023 Connecticut Legal Conference on June 5 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. The conference’s wide selection of educational content made it easy for attorneys from throughout the state, from solo practitioners to associates at large firms, to find informative practice area content.
The day began with a networking breakfast, including alumni breakfasts for Quinnipiac University School of Law and UConn School of Law. Attendees socialized with colleagues and friends and had the opportunity to meet with a variety of exhibitors before the day’s educational programming began.
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Attendees were able to socialize and networked with one another between the conference's seminars.
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The conference's exhibitor showcase featured a variety of companies and organizations
offering legal research, technology solutions, law practice management services, and more.
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This year’s conference featured 43 CLE seminars, which provided substantive coverage of a diverse range of topics such as DE&I issues, wellness and self-care, representation of non-profits, guardians ad litem, PFAS regulations, best practices for interacting with the media, and more. Presentations regarding specific pivotal state laws also took place covering the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, the Connecticut Parentage Act, and the Connecticut Data Privacy Act. During the seminar “Stare Decisis and the New Roberts Court,” Yale’s Sterling Professor of Law, Akhail Reed Amar, conveyed his perspectives on how the current United States Supreme Court approaches the concept of stare decisis and the role it has played in the decisions the court has issued in recent years. In “Firearms, Probate, and Estate Planning,” attendees learned about the unique aspects and requirements involved in overseeing the transfer of firearms during probate matters.
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(From Left to Right) Moderator Scott T. Garosshen and Yale University Sterling Professor of Law Akhil Reed Amar.
In the seminar "Stare Decisis and the New Roberts Court," Professor Amar discussed the role that precedent has played in recent supreme court decisions
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This year’s featured national CLE presenters were Michelle Behnke, chair of the American Bar Association Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity, and Paulette Brown, American Bar Association past president. Attorney Behnke presented the seminar “Roll Up Your Sleeves and Get to (net)Work,” in which she focused on networking strategies for solo and small firm practitioners, while Attorney Brown’s seminar, “Back in the Saddle: Networking and Business Development Beyond the Pandemic,” provided networking and business development lessons appropriate for attorneys working in mid and large sized firms.
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Featured National CLE Presenter Michelle A. Behnke provided strategies for networking and rainmaking
for solo practitioners and attorneys at small firms during the seminar "Roll Up Your Sleeves and Get to (net)Work."
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Featured National CLE Presenter Paulette Brown's seminar "Back in the Saddle: Networking and Business Development Beyond the Pandemic"
offered attorneys from mid-sized and large firms strategies to grow their business.
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The CBA Annual Meeting and Luncheon was a chance for attendees to take a break and mingle with colleagues while listening to remarks from Connecticut dignitaries: Connecticut Attorney General William M. Tong; Probate Court Administrator, Judge Beverly K. Streit-Kefalas; Appellate Court Chief Judge William H. Bright, Jr.; Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard A. Robinson; U.S. District of Connecticut Chief Judge Michael P. Shea, and Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz. Outgoing 2022-2023 CBA president, Daniel J. Horgan, emphasized the strength and growth of the association during his tenure, remarking, “The state of the CBA two years removed from the pandemic is strong. We are a member services association delivering more live and innovative CLEs. Our pro bono efforts and programs continue to grow, which allows us to meet the needs of our most vulnerable citizens. Our membership is robust and includes the faculty and student populations of UConn, Yale, Quinnipiac, and Western New England University’s law schools.”
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(Top Row From Left to Right) Connecticut Attorney General William M. Tong; Probate Court Administrator, Judge Beverly Streit-Kefalas; Appellate Court Chief Judge William H. Bright, Jr.
(Bottom Row From Left to Right) Chief Justice Richard A. Robinson, U.S. District of Connecticut Chief Judge Michael P. Shea, Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz
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Margaret I. Castinado was installed as the CBA’s 100th president during the luncheon, along with the other 2023-2024 CBA officers: President-Elect James T. Shearin; Vice President Emily A. Gianquinto; Secretary Jeffrey A. Zyjeski; Treasurer Sharad A. Samy; and Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Christopher A. Klepps. Incoming President Castinado presented her outlook for the upcoming bar year: “My vision for the CBA this year begins with an appeal to hope. Hope for a greater understanding for the importance of creating and maintaining a diverse and equitable legal community; hope for our marginalized communities as they continue to struggle with food insecurity and housing; hope that we continue to fight systemic racism and disparities in our criminal justice system; hope that we will continue to be a welcoming and supportive organization for our LGBTQ community, women, the disabled, and people of color; and hope that we continue to recognize the importance of wellness in our profession and that we can eliminate the stigmas associated with mental health issues and substance abuse.” She emphasized that important collaborative efforts between the CBA and other state and local organizations will continue to develop through her presidency.
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The 2023-2024 CBA Officers taking office on July 1.
(From Left to Right) Secretary Jeffrey A. Zyjeski, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Christopher A. Klepps, Vice President Emily A. Gianquinto,
President Margaret I. Castinado, Immediate Past President Daniel J. Horgan, Treasurer Sharad A. Samy, President-Elect James T. Shearin |
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2022-2023 CBA President Daniel J. Horgan passes the gavel to incoming 2023-2024 CBA President Margaret I. Castinado.
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The day ended with afternoon CLE sessions and the President’s Reception, which featured the Latin musical ensemble Goza.
Thank you to the attendees, presenters, sponsors, and exhibitors who helped make this year’s Connecticut Legal Conference a resounding success.