CBF is the primary funder of civil legal aid services in Connecticut.
Established in 1952, Connecticut Bar Foundation (CBF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating system change that advances civil justice for all, regardless of power or resources, to achieve a more just and equitable society.
CBF advances civil justice by stewarding funding, volunteers, programming, data, innovation, and collaboration to lead and partner in integrated approaches to improving the administration of civil justice.
Funding:
CBF administers several grant programs that fund the delivery of legal services for Connecticut residents who cannot afford an attorney, including:
- Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts and the Interest on Trust Accounts (IOLTA/IOTA) programs
- Judicial Branch Grants-in-Aid (JBGIA)
- Court Fees Grants-in-Aid (CFGIA)
- CBF also funds scholarships, based on financial need, for Connecticut students attending law schools in the state.
Fellows:
In 1994, CBF established the James W. Cooper Fellows as the result of a generous bequest from James W. Cooper. Fellows are outstanding Connecticut lawyers, judges, and teachers of law who show a commitment to the advancement of the legal profession and concern for promoting access to justice. They develop and sponsor projects and programs to:
- promote a better understanding of the legal profession, the judicial system, and the role of law in society
- explore ways to improve the profession and the administration of justice
- and further the highest ideals of the legal system
Diversity Policy:
Connecticut Bar Foundation is committed to diversity and inclusion in its Board of Directors, officers, committees, James W. Cooper Fellows, and staff, and in the focus, subject matter, and participation of its programs, including symposia, colloquia, and roundtables. Diversity is an inclusive concept encompassing race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and intellectual, mental or physical disability.
We are a richer and more effective organization because of diversity and inclusion, as it increases our organization's strengths, capabilities, and adaptability. Through increased diversity and inclusion, our organization can more effectively accomplish our mission with the varied perspectives, experiences, knowledge, information, and understanding inherent in a diverse and inclusive relationship.
CBF is proud to partner with organizations that promote equal justice for all
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The Connecticut Bar Association (CBA), founded in 1875, is the preeminent organization for lawyers and the legal profession in Connecticut. The CBA is a nonprofit member service organization dedicated to advancing the legal profession and the principles of law and justice.
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The Connecticut Judicial Branch services the interests of justice and the public by resolving matters brought before it in a fair, timely, efficient and open manner. This branch works closely with CBF on its grants program, including the Legal Services Grants (IICJ) and the Right-to-Counsel programs.
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CBF is proud to help fund the CTLawHelp.org website, which was created by several nonprofit legal aid organizations whose shared mission is to improve the lives of Connecticut residents by providing fee legal help to help people who cannot afford a lawyer.
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Accredited in 1992, Quinnipiac University's School of Law programs are designed to provide a well-rounded legal education with an emphasis on the human side of lawyering. Through coursework, student organizations and clinics and externships, students learn to think like a lawyer, solve problems and communicate persuasively.
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Founded in 1921, the University of Connecticut School of Law's program is a place where students find a spirit of collaboration in the classroom, practical experience and opportunities in clinics and field placements, and the flexibility to design their own courses of study. A low student-faculty ratio invites interaction with professors and engagement with classmates in an environment that supports the development of intellectual discipline and analytical skills.
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Established in 1824, Yale Law School offers a vibrant environment of excellence and educational intimacy in the form of world renowned faculty, small classes, limitless opportunities for clinical training, and strong encouragement of public service. The Law School is small by design; its impact on the world is measured by its accomplished graduates and its ongoing scholarship and outreach through numerous centers and projects.
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CTProBono.org is Connecticut's one-stop resource for pro bono attorneys who would like to provide free legal assistance to people with low income. Attorneys can browse their catalog to connect with the right opportunity to share their time and skills. CTProBono also posts training materials and other features to support volunteer attorneys.
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The Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar Association (CAPABA®) is the only association geared towards Asian Pacific American attorneys in Connecticut. CAPABA®’s membership consists of attorneys, law professors, law students, and interested individuals. CAPABA was formed in 2000 and its mission is to support Asian Pacific American attorneys and communities and those interested in Asian Pacific American legal issues throughout the state of Connecticut.
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The founding members of the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association (CHBA) came together in 1993 to enhance the visibility of Hispanic lawyers throughout the state; to facilitate communication and sharing of information and resources among its members; to serve as mentors to new lawyers and law students; and to assist the public and private sectors in achieving diversity in their law firms and legal departments.
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Formed in 1977, the Crawford Black Bar Association was formed when a small group of Black lawyers practicing in the Greater Hartford area in Connecticut met to discuss the formation of an organization of Black people in the legal profession. Its mission is to enhance the role and number of Black attorneys and be a prominent voice on issues affecting Black people generally, including those in the legal profession.
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The South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut (SABAC) was formed in 2004 to serve as a resource to South Asian lawyers and law students for growth, professional development, networking, and community outreach. SABAC is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in the Connecticut legal community and has done so through educational events, key partnerships, community service projects and fundraisers, and other initiatives.
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The National Association of IOLTA Programs (NAIP) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization for funders of civil legal aid throughout the Canadian provinces and territories and all United States jurisdictions — including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NAIP supports the growth and development of Interest on Lawyers Trust Account (IOLTA) programs and works to increase access to justice for all.
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The National Conference of Bar Foundations (NCBF) advances the work of all types of bar foundations by promoting the integral role of bar foundations in advancing law-related philanthropy to the organized bar, the larger legal community, and the philanthropic community; and serving as a clearinghouse and resource to assist bar foundations in carrying out their missions.
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In January 2022, Connecticut became the second state in the country to launch a statewide Right to Counsel (RTC) program to make attorneys available to eligible tenants at risk of eviction. CBF administers the program and works with the state’s legal service providers across eight municipalities. Attorneys at Connecticut Legal Services, Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, Greater Hartford Legal Aid, and New Haven Legal Assistance Association represent tenants while Statewide Legal Services staffs a hotline to screen for eligibility and provide referrals.
