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(From Left to Right) Connecticut Appellate Court Judge Ingrid Moll, YLS Pro Bono Coordinator Ashley Cervin, CBA Pro Bono Committee Chair Dan Brody, YLS Pro Bono Coordinator Emily McCarthy, YLS Chair Vianca T. Malick.
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On the evening of October 10, over 40 members of the Connecticut Bar Association Young Lawyers Section (YLS) gathered at the TPC River Highlands golf club in Cromwell for the Section’s 2024 Pro Bono Fair and Golf Event. This unique annual event consists of two parts, beginning with an optional round of golf followed by a reception featuring 15 booths representing various pro bono organizations.
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(From Left to Right) Nicole Fluckiger, Andrew J. Glass, and YLS Treasurer Sara J. Bonaiuto
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During the reception, each of the pro bono organizations provided brief introductions to their services and were on hand to provide information about volunteer opportunities to the YLS members at the event:
- CBA Pro Bono Programs (Free Legal Advice Clinics, CT Free Legal Answers, Lawyers in Libraries, CBA Pro Bono Connect)
- Center for Family Justice, Inc.
- Center for Indigenous Peoples Rights
- Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants
- Connecticut Legal Rights Project
- Connecticut Legal Services
- Connecticut Veterans Legal Center
- Disability Rights CT
- Hartford Public Library, The American Place
- Pro Bono Partnership
- SLS Chat Navigator
- State of Connecticut Judicial Branch (Volunteer Attorney Programs)
- Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, Inc.
- Victim Rights Center of CT, a program of the CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence
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(From Left to Right) Alison J. Toumekian, YLS Chair Vianca T. Malick, and CBA Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Sara J. O'Brien
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At the start of the reception, CBA YLS Chair Vianca T. Malick welcomed the young lawyers to the event, before introducing CBA Pro Bono Committee Chair Dan Brody. Brody spoke about the importance of undertaking pro bono work and the invaluable support provided by the pro bono organizations throughout the state. “You will find through the work that you do and what you will hear from all these organizations is that you can have an immense impact on the most important aspects of someone’s life,” stated Brody.
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CBA Pro Bono Committee Chair Dan Brody provided remarks at the event's reception.
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The event’s keynote speaker, Connecticut Appellate Court Judge Ingrid L. Moll, also advocated for the young lawyers in attendance to commit themselves to pro bono work throughout their careers. Judge Moll noted that there have been significant increases in the number of litigants in Connecticut representing themselves in recent years. “The reality is that, although some self-represented parties do pretty well navigating unknown territory, most do not,” remarked Judge Moll. “Litigants needs an advocate and the courts do not serve that function. But you can.” She encouraged the young lawyers to explore various forms of pro bono representation, including limited scope representation.
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Connecticut Appellate Court Judge Ingrid Moll provided the keynote speech at the event's reception.
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Thank you to all those who attended this year’s event as well as all the attorneys who provide vital pro bono services to individuals in need throughout Connecticut.
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Following the event's reception, attendees were encouraged to visit different organizations' booths and learn about the various pro bono opportunities they provide.
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