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About Our Section

The Young Lawyers Section (YLS) has as its primary goals the promotion of justice, the encouragement of public service, and the promotion of diversity and education of young lawyers and newly admitted practitioners. These goals are achieved through the educational, public service, and community programs produced by the section’s twenty-plus statewide committees and the nine regional young lawyer organizations in the state. The section also serves a valuable social and networking role in introducing young lawyers to each other and assisting them in their transition into the Connecticut legal practice. The section includes all members of the CBA who are 37 years old or younger or who have been admitted to the Bar for less than six full bar years.

Section Executive Committee

Chair

Paige M. Vaillancourt

Rescia Vaillancourt PC
5104 A Bigelow Commons
Enfield, CT 06082
(860) 452-0052
paige@ctmalaw.com

Chair-elect

Sara Bonaiuto
Shipman & Goodwin LLP
265 Church St, Ste 1207
New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 836-2803
sbonaiuto@goodwin.com

Secretary

Olivia Benson
Saxe Doernberger & Vita PC
35 Nutmeg Drive, Ste 140
Trumbull, CT  06611
(475)302-5743
obenson@sdvlaw.com

Treasurer

Jermaine A. Brookshire Jr.
Herrick Feinstein LLP
2 Park Ave
New York, NY 10016
(212 ) 592-1597
jbrookshirejr@herrick.com

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The CBA wishes to further encourage and increase the active involvement of young lawyers, lawyers who no longer qualify for membership in the Young Lawyers Section, and diverse lawyers in the leadership and activities of CBA sections. The goal of the CBA Presidential Fellows Program is to provide such lawyers with an opportunity to become more involved in the substantive work of CBA sections, further develop their leadership abilities, and promote the section to other members of the YLS and the bar.

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Upcoming Events

EC Calendar

  • Nov 10
    Young Lawyers Section Executive Committee Meeting (SYL251110)
    Barclay Damon
    555 Long Wharf Drive, Sixth Floor
    New Haven, Connecticut
    United States
    6:00 PM to 7:30 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
  • Nov 12
    Lost Profits and Other Commercial Damages Considerations (EDU251112)
    Webinar - CLE Pass Eligible
    12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

    This program will describe the types of commercial damages analyses, especially focusing on lost profits. We will cover some basic methodologies and components of calculations, then provide some insight into the more complicated and perplexing considerations.

  • Nov 13
    Practice, Procedure and Protocol in the Connecticut Courts (EDU251113)
    CBA Law Center
    538 Preston Ave., 3rd Floor
    Meriden, Connecticut
    United States
    8:30 AM to 3:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
    Agenda

    This seminar covers the major portions of the Connecticut Practice Book, many of the unwritten rules of civil procedure, practices and procedures that continue after the pandemic, how to navigate the courts, and the various local rules of courts. We will also cover examples of forms along with sections of the Practice Book.

  • Nov 14
    New Admittee Swearing In Ceremony (SYL251114)
    Connecticut State Capitol
    210 Capitol Avenue, North Lobby
    Hartford, Connecticut
    United States
    10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
  • Nov 21
    Privacy, Safety, and Security when Using AI (EDU251121)
    Webinar - CLE Pass Eligible
    12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

    This seminar will delve into the critical and evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on data privacy, digital safety, and cybersecurity. Attorneys are legally and ethically responsible for maintaining client information, so it is not accessed by unauthorized individuals. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, from virtual assistants to sophisticated decision-making systems, maintaining data privacy and security is crucial. This program will equip participants with knowledge and practical tools to understand how AI may be used while ensuring data privacy and security from cyber intrusions.

Latest Related News

  • 2025 Pro Bono Fair Website Thumbnail Young Lawyers Section Hosts 2025 Pro Bono Fair and Golf Event

    Tuesday, October 21, 2025

    On the evening of October 14, over 80 members of the Connecticut Bar Association Young Lawyers Section (YLS) gathered at the Hartford Golf Club for the section’s 2025 Pro Bono Fair and Golf Event.
  • 2025 YLS Retreat Website Thumbnail Young Lawyers Section Leaders Attend 2025 Annual Leadership Retreat and Receive Service Awards

    Tuesday, August 19, 2025

    The Connecticut Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section (YLS) hosted its annual leadership retreat on August 8-9 at Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard. The YLS Executive Committee holds this event each summer to familiarize new members of the committee with the duties of their leadership roles and to present awards to members of the committee for their service during the previous bar year.
  • Pathways Thumbnail Kimberly Jacobsen Receives the 2025 Ladder Award

    Tuesday, March 18, 2025

    The CBA Women in the Law Section, in association with the CBA Young Lawyers Section (YLS) Women in the Law Committee, presented the 2025 Ladder Award to Attorney Kimberly Jacobsen at this year’s Pathways to Leadership for Women Lawyers event on March 6 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville.

Section Annual Reports