 |
(From Left to Right) YLS Secretary Jermaine A. Brookshire, Jr.; 2023-2024 YLS Chair Sara J. O'brien; YLS Chair-elect Paige Vaillancourt; YLS Treasurer Sara Bonaiuto
|
The Connecticut Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section (YLS) hosted its annual leadership retreat on August 9-10 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.
During the event, Connecticut Superior Court judge and past CBA President Hon. Cecil J. Thomas provided the keynote presentation Answering the Call to Servant Leadership: 10 Lessons Learned Along the Way. Judge Thomas shared that during his tenure in the leadership of the CBA, he committed himself to furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and initiatives within the association, making significant progress on these issues. He conveyed the major lessons he learned through his experiences, providing 10 essential tips to the attending young lawyers on how to develop and grow as effective leaders. “What I have come to appreciate is that despite the difference in our outward presentation, our leadership styles reflect a common commitment to service to others,” stated Judge Thomas during his presentation. “In my own leadership journey, I have kept the idea of spreading your sunshine in mind. I have been lifted up by the kind words and affirmations of others throughout my journey and I realized that, in my own way, I could do the same for others.”
 |
Superior Court Judge and past CBA President Cecil J. Thomas presented the keynote address at the Annual Leadership Retreat.
|
In addition to the keynote speech and the various trainings held throughout the day, the event included the presentation of awards to nine YLS Executive Committee members for their service during the 2023-2024 bar year. 2023-2024 YLS Chair Sara J. O’Brien presented the recipients with their awards.
Star of the Year Award:
John M. Russo, Jr. received a Star of the Year Award for his work and effort as a membership director. He planned and organized the YLS’s non-CLE networking events, organized the YLS Summer Softball team, and assembled a YLS team for the New Haven County Bar Association’s Snowball Charity Softball Tournament.
Alison J. Toumekian received a Star of the Year Award for her work as an American Bar Association delegate. She assisted in the planning of the YLS’s Northeast Regional Professional Development Conference for Young Lawyers, using her professional connections with the ABA to bring prominent national speakers to the conference.
 |
|
 |
John M. Russo, Jr. received a Star of the Year Award from 2023-2024 YLS Chair Sara J. O'brien.
|
|
Alison J. Toumekian received a Star of the Year Award from 2023-2024 YLS Chair Sara J. O'brien.
|
Leadership Award
Andrew Glass and Nicole Fluckiger received Leadership Awards for their work as co-directors for law school outreach, notably incorporating law students into YLS events and encouraging their continued involvement with the CBA throughout their education and after their graduation.
Caroline Boisvert received a Leadership Award for her service as co-director of CLE programming. Through her provision of support to those planning programs and her coordination with the CBA staff, the YLS Executive Committee was able to organize nearly 20 CLE programs throughout the 2023-2024 bar year.
 |
|
 |
Nicole Fluckiger and Andrew Glass received Leadership Awards from 2023-2024 YLS Chair Sara J. O'brien.
|
|
Caroline Boisvert received a Leadership Award from 2023-2024 YLS Chair Sara J. O'brien.
|
Volunteer of the Year Award
Brittany Bisson and Jermaine A. Brookshire, Jr. each received a Volunteer of the Year Award for collectively providing over 400 hours of pro bono and public service work, which significantly contributed to the section achieving its goal of providing at least 1,000 hours of pro bono services for the third year in a row.
 |
|
 |
Brittany Bisson received a Volunteer of the Year Award from 2023-2024 YLS Chair Sara J. O'brien.
|
|
Jermaine A. Brookshire, Jr. received a Volunteer of the Year Award from 2023-2024 YLS Chair Sara J. O'brien.
|
Rookie of the Year Award
Olivia Benson received a Rookie of the Year Award for her impressive achievements during her first year on the YLS Executive Committee, which included co-chairing the CBA Bankruptcy Section and building the connection between the Bankruptcy Section and the YLS.
Angie Gadziala received a Rookie of the Year Award for her work during her first year on the YLS Executive Committee planning and hosting a well-attended, in-person event covering health law topics at UConn School of Law.
|
|
 |
Olivia Benson received a Rookie of the Year Award from 2023-2024 YLS Chair Sara J. O'brien.
|
|
Angie Gadziala received a Rookie of the Year Award from 2023-2024 YLS Chair Sara J. O'brien.
|