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Annual Receptions

Annual Reception

Every Spring Cooper Fellows come together to welcome its newest members and celebrate the work of extraordinary nonprofit civil legal service providers and legal aid attorneys in Connecticut. 

2026 Annual Reception:
May 14, 2026 at The Society Room

Anthony M. Fitzgerald Award for Excellence: Jill Davies, Greater Hartford Legal Aid
Banking on Justice Award: Thomaston Savings Bank

Photo credit: Devena Smith: venavisuals.com

2026 Annual Reception
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  • The James W. Cooper Fellows nominate outstanding Connecticut lawyers, judges, and teachers of law to become Fellows. CBF then extends invitations to nominees who have been selected by the Fellows Nominating Committee and approved by the Fellows and the Board of Directors.

  • During the Annual Reception, CBF presents the Anthony M. Fitzgerald Award for Excellence, which honors legal service attorneys and organizations who demonstrate a commitment to the provision of zealous and skilled legal representation to low-income Connecticut citizens.

  • Enjoy the memories with CBF's Reception archive.

CBF Leadership Banks

These institutions are invested in access to justice for all.

Leadership Banks pay the highest rates on IOLTA/IOTA balances and generously waive service fees to provide additional funding for civil legal aid in Connecticut. CBF extends thanks to these institutions and encourage attorneys to bank with them. Doing so directly impacts the amount of interest earned for legal aid programs in Connecticut.

Every year, CBF awards the "Banking on Justice Award" to a Leadership Bank in recognition of its commitment to advancing access to justice. 

Graphic image of list of IOLTA Leadership Banks

2025 Reception

May 1, 2026 at the Madison Beach Hotel

Keynote Address: Chief Justice Raheem L. Mullins

Special Recognition: Isabel Chenoweth

Anthony M. Fitzgerald Award for Excellence: Amy Eppler-Epstein, New Haven Legal Assistance Association

Photo Credit: Tricia Rose, Tricia Rose Photography

2025 images
  • Outdoor group photo of the 2025 CBF Board of Directors
  • Image of four women, attorneys and Fellows members, inside at the Annual Reception
  • Image of Judge Peck holding a photograph of herself serving the State of Connecticut.
  • L-R: William S. Fish, Jr., Catherine Roraback Fellow; Angela Schlingheyde, Executive Director of CBF; Hon. Barry Armata, CT Superior Court and Chair of the James W. Cooper Fellows Program; and Hon. Cecil Thomas, CT Superior Court and Chair of the Fellows
  • Amy Eppler-Epstein with Steve Eppler-Epstein at dinner table.
  • Wide shot of reception during dinner and keynote address.
  • Amy Eppler-Epstein accepting Fitzgerald award
  • Amy Eppler-Epstein accepting Fitzgerald award
  • Isabel Chenoweth accepting award for special contribution to Fellows Program
  • Chief Justice Raheem Mullins delivering keynote address at podium.
  • Chief Justice Raheem L. Mullins and Judge Victoria Chavey, past CBF president of the Board seated during the annual reception
  • Three Attorneys/Fellows speaking during Reception
  • Outdoor group photo of the newest members of the Fellows Program
  • Outdoors group photo of the CBF Board of Directors
  • Fellows members chatting at the start of the Reception
  • Fellows members chatting at the start of the Reception
  • Fellows members chatting at the start of the Reception
  • Fellows members Bill Logue and Vanessa Avery chatting at the start of the Reception
  • Fellows members chatting at the start of the Reception
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