Ashleigh Backman is the deputy director and chief operating officer at the Connecticut Bar Foundation, where she supports the foundation’s mission to facilitate systemic change that advances civil justice for all, regardless of power or resources, to achieve a more just and equitable society. She has dedicated her professional life to removing civil legal barriers and expanding access to critical legal services on behalf of economically marginalized people.
Attorney Backman directed pro bono legal programming on behalf of Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut and Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, where she’s built relationships with law firms, corporate legal departments, and state bar associations to ensure Connecticut’s residents have access to free legal representation. Under her stewardship, these organizations’ pro bono programs have received national award recognition from Corporate Pro Bono, a project of Pro Bono Institute, as well as local award recognitions by bar associations. She has been honored with the Connecticut Law Tribune’s Unsung Hero Award and named in Connecticut Magazine’s 40 Under 40 for her tireless efforts.
Attorney Backman earned her A.B from Bryn Mawr College and her J.D. from the University of New Hampshire School of Law. She has previously served as a member of the Connecticut Bar Association Young Lawyers Section Executive Committee and was also the section’s co-director of pro bono events. She is currently a member of the CBA's Pro Bono Section and Legal Aid and Public Defense Committee and is also a James W. Cooper Fellow of the Connecticut Bar Foundation.