James W. Cooper Fellows

(l-r) James T. (Tim) Shearin, Hon. Janet C. Hall, William H. Clendenen, Jr.

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.   

Connecticut Bar Foundation (CBF) established the program in 1994 in honor of James W. Cooper, a distinguished New Haven attorney and civic leader. Fellows honor Cooper's legacy by facilitating programs that address access to justice and promote systemic change within the legal profession.

Fellows nominate new members and CBF extends invitations to nominees who have been selected by the Fellows Nominating Committee and approved by the Fellows and the Board of Directors. Nominees who accept their invitation to become a Fellow commit to a pledge of at least $2,500 to the program. CBF recognizes Fellows at an annual reception in their honor and publicizes their selection.

Remembering James W. Cooper

(l-r) Andrea Barton Reeves and Hon. James Sicilian

James W. Cooper was a prominent New Haven attorney and a senior partner of Tyler, Cooper & Alcorn. He served as President of Connecticut Bar Foundation from 1973 to 1975, the Connecticut Bar Association from 1957 to 1958, and the New Haven County Bar Association from 1948 to 1949, and he was a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. In 1982, Attorney Cooper was the recipient of the Charles J. Parker Award for distinguished contributions to legal services for the poor. Attorney Cooper left a generous bequest to CBF, who named the program in his honor.

The Fellows are working on several exciting programs and projects, including:

Fellows Resources