On June 13, over 750 attorneys, judges, law students, and paralegals gathered at the Connecticut Convention Center for the 2025 Connecticut Legal Conference (CLC), the largest annual gathering of legal professionals in the state. This year’s conference held special significance as it also marked the 150th anniversary of the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA), which was founded in 1875.
The conference featured a rich schedule of 38 continuing legal education (CLE) seminars, various networking opportunities, and special anniversary celebrations. Attendees had the opportunity to choose from a wide range of CLE programs that addressed current legal developments across a variety of practice areas. Four of the conference’s seminars were also livestreamed, allowing remote attendees to participate in the event.
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| Graduates of Quinnipiac University School of Law, UConn School of Law, and Seton Hall University School of Law networked and socialized with fellow alumni in reserved areas during the breakfast. |
The day began with an exhibitor showcase and breakfast, including exclusive alumni breakfasts for Quinnipiac, UConn, and Seton Hall University alumni. The exhibitor showcase featured 35 legal industry vendors who offered demonstrations, materials, and information to attendees. The showcase also included special 150th anniversary raffles for gift cards and an iPad, a slideshow presentation on the 150-year history of the CBA, complimentary professional headshot photography, and a photo booth where attendees could snap a picture of themselves with their friends to commemorate the occasion. In between seminars, attendees could also take a break and watch episodes of the CBA’s new video series, Legally Brief, which were on display throughout the day.
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| Conference attendees chose from a selection of 38 CLE seminars that were split into four sessions taking place over the course of the day. |
The conference’s Featured National Speaker Seminar, “SCOTUS: What’s Next?,” explored several of the Roberts Court’s recent decisions that have overturned or significantly changed Supreme Court precedent. Moderated by retired Connecticut Supreme Court Justice Joette Katz, Yale Law School Visiting Lecturer and Senior Research Scholar G. Eric Brunstad, Jr. and George Mason University Professor of Law Ilya Somin discussed the court’s decisions, where the court may be headed in the future, and how the current presidential administration’s changes to the federal government are affecting the court.
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| Presenters G. Eric Brunstad, Jr. (pictured second from right) and Ilya Somin (pictured far right) explored recent decisions made by the Roberts Court in the conference's Featured National Speaker Seminar "SCOTUS: What's Next?" |
The other conference seminars provided substantive coverage of a diverse range of current topics as well as annual reviews of case law and legislation in several practice areas. In “The Constitution at a Crossroads,” Yale Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science Akhil Reed Amar presented a deep dive into the changing legal norms resulting from the actions of the current presidential administration and its expansion of executive power. During another popular seminar, “AI Tools for Lawyers: Available Tools, Practical Applications, & Policy Issues,” attendees viewed demonstrations of various AI tools available to lawyers for legal research, document automation, client-facing solutions, and more.
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| Yale Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science Akhil Reed Amar presented during the conference seminar "The Constitution at a Crossroads." |
At midday the CBA Annual Meeting and Luncheon was held in the convention center’s ballroom. CBA Executive Director Lina Lee welcomed the attendees and emphasized the importance of the association’s 150th anniversary, noting, “The CBA has withstood the times and stands at the intersection of both tradition and transformation.” During the annual meeting, several state and federal dignitaries spoke, including Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justice Raheem L. Mullins, Federal District Court Chief Judge Michael P. Shea, Connecticut Appellate Court Chief Judge Melanie L. Cradle, and Connecticut Probate Court Administrator Beverly K. Streit. After the dignitaries’ remarks, outgoing CBA President James T. (Tim) Shearin thanked CBA Immediate Past President Maggie Castinado, Treasurer Sharad A. Samy, and Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Sara O’Brien, who will complete their terms as CBA officers this bar year.
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(Top Row L to R) Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Connecticut Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, and Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justice Raheem L. Mullins
(Bottom Row L to R) U.S. District of Connecticut Chief Judge Michael P. Shea, Connecticut Appellate Court Chief Judge Melanie L. Cradle, and Connecticut Probate Court Administrator Judge Beverly K. Streit |
The annual meeting also featured the installation of the 2025-2026 CBA officers: President Emily A. Gianquinto; President-Elect J. Paul Vance, Jr.; Vice President Rowena A. Moffett; Treasurer Audrey D. Medd; Secretary David M. Moore; Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Vianca T. Malick; and Immediate Past President James T. (Tim) Shearin. After being installed and having the ceremonial gavel passed to her, incoming President Emily A. Gianquinto presented her vision for the CBA during the 2025-2026 bar year. During her speech, she addressed current political tensions, noting how the CBA’s history has been marked by periods where the membership was divided over certain contentious political and social issues. “The CBA, like our nation, made it through those challenges, and we did so by engaging in healthy debate and staying true to our core principles," stated incoming president Gianquinto. She defined the theme for the bar year as “Connecting our Community,” stating, “Our Association’s mission, our values, our stated purpose, and our bylaws, they all included consideration of working for and with communities beyond our own members and it is by design. We have never been solely focused on members or occupational concerns.” To reinforce this theme, she emphasized two upcoming fall CBA events focused on giving back to the community, a statewide day of community service on September 20 and the CBA 150th Anniversary Gala supporting access-to-justice programs on October 16.
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| (L to R) Incoming CBA President Emily A. Gianquinto and Outgoing CBA President James T. (Tim) Shearin |
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| 2025-2026 CBA President Emily A. Gianquinto presented her vision for the bar year at the conference's Annual Meeting and Luncheon. |
Following the CBA Annual Meeting and Luncheon, the conference continued with two afternoon CLE sessions. After the end of the day’s seminars, conference attendees gathered for the President’s Reception to enjoy a live jazz band, refreshments, and appetizers before heading home. During the reception, incoming President Gianquinto announced the winners of the raffles held during the conference as well as special giveaway of CBA 150th Anniversary fleece-lined pullovers.
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The 2025-2026 CBA Officers Taking Office on July 1
(From Left to Right) President Emily A. Gianquinto, Secretary David M. Moore, Immediate Past President James T. (Tim) Shearin, and Vice President Rowena A. Moffett
Not Pictured: President-Elect J. Paul Vance, Jr.; Treasurer Audrey D. Medd; and Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Vianca T. Malick |
Thank you to the attendees, presenters, sponsors, and exhibitors who helped make this the most well-attended Connecticut Legal Conference of the past several years.
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| Attendees enjoyed live jazz at the conference's President's Reception. |
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| President's Reception attendees received commemorative CBA 150th Anniversary fleece-lined pullovers. |