The Connecticut Bar Association (CBA) is pleased to announce Lina Lee as its new Executive Director, effective January 2, 2025. Lina brings extensive leadership experience, a proven track record of innovation, and an unwavering commitment to justice, positioning her to guide the CBA into a new chapter of excellence and service to its members.
Lina is the founder and former Executive Director of Communities Resist, a legal services organization for housing justice in New York City. Under her leadership, the organization experienced remarkable growth, serving more than 4,000 community members and managing a $6 million budget. Communities Resist has been recognized as one of the largest providers of high-impact affirmative legal services, offering group representation to address discrimination, harassment, and civil rights issues.
Throughout her career, Lina has demonstrated a profound dedication to equity and access to justice. Her experience spans representing underserved populations in complex legal matters, addressing systemic challenges, and advocating for impactful reforms. Lina’s work includes building collaborations with community stakeholders and coalitions, influencing policy and legislative changes at multiple levels of government, and engaging with key decision-makers to shape reforms that align legal solutions with broader community needs and objectives.
In addition to her professional achievements, Lina has a longstanding commitment to service within the legal community. She has actively contributed to advancing access to justice and strengthening the legal profession through her leadership and involvement with the Housing Court Advisory Council, Pro Bono Committee, nonprofit boards, and city and state-wide bar associations. These roles have allowed her to collaborate with leaders across the legal sector to promote equity, inclusion, and initiatives that address systemic challenges.
Lina’s contributions to the legal field have been widely recognized. She was named to the 2021 Nonprofit 40 Under 40, the 2022 and 2023 Nonprofit Power 100 by City & State New York, and the 2024 AAPI Power Players by PoliticsNY and amNY Metro. She is also an alumna of the Coro Immigration Civic Leadership Program, where she spearheaded initiatives such as language service programs in housing courts.
Lina earned her B.S. from Cornell University and her J.D. from Boston University School of Law. Her commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive legal community aligns seamlessly with the values and mission of the CBA.
“It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Lina as the new Executive Director of the CBA. Her impressive achievements demonstrate her readiness to lead our organization and enhance the vital support we provide to members and the Connecticut legal community,” said CBA President James T. (Tim) Shearin. “I look forward to her passionate leadership, resourcefulness, and commitment to advancing our initiatives and ensuring the long-term success of our mission.”
"I am deeply honored to join the Connecticut Bar Association as Executive Director," Lina shared. "The CBA has a long-standing history of advancing the legal profession, fostering excellence, supporting the growth of its members, and promoting justice. As we look to the future, I am excited to build on this strong foundation by driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that all of our members feel supported and valued. My focus will be on expanding programming that empowers our members to excel in their practice, strengthening community engagement, and advancing diversity and inclusion within the legal profession. Together with the talented staff and dedicated leadership, we can embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead while strengthening our collective impact on the legal community and the public we serve. I am committed to working alongside our incredible members, leaders, and staff to create a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-thinking Association that continues to lead the way in supporting Connecticut’s legal professionals and beyond.”
Please join us in welcoming Lina Lee to the CBA. Her leadership, vision, and dedication to justice will be invaluable as the Association continues to support and elevate Connecticut’s legal professionals.