Connecticut Bar Association - Young Lawyers Section

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Connecticut Bar Association - Young Lawyers Section

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Serving Connecticut's Young Lawyers since 1947. The YLS works to promote justice, public service, diversity, and education.

10/14/2026

A beautiful day for golfing and giving back!

Last week, the Young Lawyers Section hosted its annual Pro Bono Fair, this year at the beautiful 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐔𝐄 CT in Hamden! Attendees enjoyed a gorgeous fall afternoon on the golf course, followed by an evening of networking and learning about the many ways to give back through pro bono legal service across Connecticut. Thank you to Kyle LaBuff and J Paul Vance Jr for their insight on the value of pro bono service, and a special thank you to our YLS Pro Bono & Public Service Director, Erin Daly, for all of her hard work organizing this event and making it such a success!

We were thrilled to welcome representatives from numerous organizations doing incredible work to expand access to justice. We hope the connections made will inspire continued pro bono involvement and help strengthen access to justice across our state.

To learn more and a full list of all participating organizations, visit: https://lnkd.in/gr8F5ahW

09/25/2026

Please join us in spotlighting this month’s returning member, Brian Lamaj! Brian is an Associate at BPS Lawyers, LLP and the Young Lawyers Section’s Membership Director for the 2026-2027 bar year. He is fluent in Albanian and focuses his practice on residential and commercial real estate and commercial litigation, helping clients navigate complex legal issues with practical solutions and personalized advocacy. A graduate of the Quinnipiac Law, Brian has served on the YLS Executive Committee for the past three years.

Brian credits the YLS with providing opportunities to connect, collaborate, and grow alongside fellow attorneys, and he remains committed to creating those same opportunities for the next generation of lawyers. This year, Brian looks forward to the Pro Bono Fair in October where he hopes to connect with organizations making a difference in their communities in order to further expand his own commitment to service.

His advice for newer attorneys and law students? Take initiative. In his experience, the best professional opportunities and relationships begin when you step forward, ask questions, and embrace opportunities before you feel completely ready.

We look forward to seeing his continued contributions to Connecticut’s legal community! For more and to connect with Brian, visit our LinkedIn.

09/23/2026

Please join us in spotlighting this month’s new member, Christabelle Calabretta! Christa is an Associate at and the Young Lawyers Section’s Real Property Co-Chair for the 2026-2027 bar year. Christa is an accomplished distance runner and concentrates her practice in real estate and general business matters, helping clients navigate important transactions and business decisions with practical, client-focused counsel. She earned her law degree from the UConn School of Law .

As a newer attorney practicing in a smaller community, Christa seeks opportunities to connect with fellow young lawyers across Connecticut. Inspired by the professional development and networking opportunities offered through the Young Lawyers Section, she joined the Executive Committee with a passion for fostering meaningful connections between emerging attorneys and experienced members of the legal community. She believes that mentorship, collaboration, and professional engagement are critical to the long-term success of young lawyers and the profession at large.

This year, Christa is especially excited to partner with her fellow Real Property Co-Chair to present their first Continuing Legal Education program, helping provide valuable resources and learning opportunities to attorneys throughout the state.

Her advice to law students and newer attorneys is simple but powerful: “If you have a question, there is a very high probability that someone else has that exact question. Ask it!” In her experience, a willingness to seek guidance and engage with others can open the door to growth, mentorship, and professional success.

We look forward to her continued contributions to Connecticut’s legal community and her leadership within the Young Lawyers Section! For more and to connect with Christa, visit our LinkedIn.

08/14/2026

Last weekend, the Young Lawyers Section’s Executive Committee held its annual Leadership Retreat. Each year, the Executive Committee uses this time to familiarize new and returning members of the committee with the duties of their leadership roles, network with one another, brainstorm and plan events for the upcoming bar year, and engage with esteemed presenters - which, this year, included CBA President J Paul Vance and Keynote Speaker Maggie Garden.

Additionally, the Executive Committee presented awards to four YLS Executive Committee members for their service during the 2025-2026 bar year. Immediate Past YLS Chair Paige Vaillancourt presented the following awards: Danielle Erickson received the Leadership Award; Hugh Sokolski received the Star of the Year Award; Jeff Beck received the Pro Bono Award; and Erin Daly received the Rookie of the Year Award. Paige Vaillancourt also was recognized for her service to the YLS in the Chair role.

03/20/2026

On March 5, the CBA Women in Law Section and the CBA YLS Women in the Law Committee presented the 2026 Ladder Award to Nancy Kennedy at this year’s Pathways to Leadership for Women Lawyers event.

The Ladder Award honors a woman attorney who has “left the ladder down” for women to follow in her footsteps.

Thank you to YLS members Audrey Trace and Claire Pariano for their hard work in planning this event!

02/25/2026

Join the YLS for Litigation Improv Night on Wednesday, March 4th at ! Visit ctbar.org/events to register!

02/23/2026

Congratulations to the YLS Diversity Director, Hugh Sokolski, for organizing an incredible Diversity Dinner! The event was attended by over 150 members of the bar and included a keynote address by Representative

12/18/2025

Last night the YLS hosted its annual Holiday Party at New England Brewing Company! We wish everyone a happy holiday and some restful time off with family and friends.

Address

538 Preston Avenue, 3rd Floor
Meriden, CT
06450

Telephone

(860) 223-4400

Website

http://CTBar.org/YLS

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