CBA Presidential Fellows Program

About

The CBA wishes to further encourage and increase the active involvement of talented early- and mid-career lawyers from all backgrounds in the leadership and activities of CBA sections. Through the CBA Presidential Fellows Program, Fellows are matched with a CBA section that aligns with their interests and experience. Within their section, Fellows have an opportunity to become more involved in the substantive work of the section, serve on the section’s executive committee, engage in a key section project or program, and further develop their leadership skills. Fellow appointments are prestigious and are made after a competitive application process.

Presidential Fellows:

• Serve on the executive committee of a section as ex-officio members;
• Are matched with a section executive committee member who will serve as a mentor and advocate, helping the Fellow to be integrated in the leadership of the section;
• Are invited to educational and leadership development events for Fellows at no charge;
• Attend section meetings and events;
• Get involved in or lead a key section project;
• Present at a section meeting; and
• Receive a waiver of all fees for membership in a section and that section's events.

Eligibility and Selection:

The CBA Presidential Fellows Committee reviews all applications and makes selection decisions. To be eligible to apply, applicants must meet the requirements below:

1. Have demonstrated talent and strong leadership experience or potential;
2. Be a licensed lawyer in Connecticut in good standing with at least one and fewer than twelve years of professional experience as a lawyer; and
3. Be a current member of the CBA or commit to joining the CBA as a dues-paying member if selected as a Fellow.

Special consideration will be given to lawyers in government or public interest service, lawyers who have overcome adversity, and lawyers who are first-generation lawyers (i.e. the first in their family to become a lawyer). Previous membership in the CBA or a CBA section is beneficial, but not required.

Additional Information:

While there is no cost to apply to be a Fellow and no fee to participate in the CBA Presidential Fellows Program, Fellows are required to be active dues-paying members of the CBA for the duration of their Fellows term and must timely pay their annual CBA membership dues. Fellows are appointed for a term of two bar years.

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