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| (From L to R) CBA President J. Paul Vance, Jr.; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Co-Chair Mallori D. Thompson; Hon. Cecil J. Thomas; Alexis Smith; Angela Schlingheyde; Moy Ogilvie; Colby Fraschilla; Asker A. Saeed |
On October 23 the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA) hosted the 11th annual Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Summit: The Collaborative Blueprint at CT State Community College’s Gateway Campus in New Haven. The summit brought together over 130 legal professionals to examine challenges and opportunities and explore actionable strategies for creating a more inclusive and equitable legal profession in Connecticut.
CBA President J. Paul Vance, Jr. welcomed attendees and emphasized the importance of a legal profession that reflects the people it serves. “We must continually examine what we do in our profession, recognize that there are barriers that remain, and ask ourselves what can we do to ensure that every person has a fair opportunity to participate in our legal system,” stated President Vance while addressing the audience.
The Summit’s morning programs included the annual Signatory Analytics Overview presented by Judge Cecil J. Thomas of the Connecticut Judicial Branch, followed by an interactive workshop led by Dr. Arin N. Reeves, “Beyond DEI Programs: Actionable Strategies for Retention in the Legal Profession.” The workshop examined persistent retention challenges across the legal profession and focused on practical approaches to addressing workplace fatigue, energy management, and effective feedback. “The first thing that I want you to walk away with is that we’re not just talking about retention, we’re talking about high performance retention,” noted Dr. Reeves while examining the demographics of those in leadership roles at law firms. “It’s very, very different because retention is, ‘we have had more than 50% women in law firms specifically for 35 years now.’ 35 years is long enough to see parity in partnerships, and we have not seen parity in partnerships.”
Following lunch, attendees participated in a working session with Dr. Reeves before splitting up into two panel discussions exploring how organizations can translate diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments into meaningful action.
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| Arin N. Reeves presented the interactive workshop “Beyond DEI Programs: Actionable Strategies for Retention in the Legal Profession” |
The panel “Compelled to Act, Proceeding with Caution: Legal Aid and the Advancement of Lawful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” examined the role of legal aid organizations in advancing DEI amid a changing legal and social landscape. The panelists included former U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery of McCarter & English LLP, Angela Schlingheyde of the Connecticut Bar Foundation, and Alexis Smith of New Haven Legal Assistance Association Inc. Their discussion was moderated by Judge Thomas and focused on the various challenges and opportunities related to DEI that face nonprofit legal aid organizations.
The second panel, “Measuring and Advancing DEI Outcomes in the Private Sector,” explored practical approaches to evaluating the effectiveness of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in firms and companies. Panelists Asker A. Saeed of KPPB Law, Peter Wilson, Jr., and Moy Ogilvie of McCarter & English LLP, with Colby Fraschilla of Shipman & Goodwin LLP serving as moderator, discussed measurable goals, workforce data, employee feedback, and accountability in hiring, promotion, advancement, and retention.
The summit concluded with closing remarks from CBA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee Co-Chair Mallori D. Thompson. “Our standard cannot simply be making a commitment, that’s just where it begins,” stated Thompson. “Our standard should be striving toward a culture and experience where everyone feels watered meaningfully and equitably and can navigate the profession consumed less by things diminishing our capacity and more by exceeding our capabilities.”
Since its launch in 2016, the CBA’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Summit has served as an annual gathering for legal professionals committed to building a more inclusive and equitable legal community. The summit also convenes signatories to the Connecticut Legal Community’s Diversity and Inclusion Pledge and Plan, a coalition of organizations working toward long-term, meaningful change.
Through its programming and collaborative discussions, the 2026 summit reinforced the importance of moving beyond commitments to practical strategies that strengthen workplace culture, improve retention, and advance a legal profession that reflects and serves Connecticut’s communities.
View Photos from the Event