Fellows Spotlight
Hon. Jane K. Grossman
Connecticut Superior Court
- Why did you choose the legal profession as a career?
I chose to pursue law as a way to drive meaningful change. My interest in reproductive rights led me to work for Planned Parenthood between college and law school. At the time, abortion rights were under intense scrutiny, and that debate became a turning point for me—it reinforced my belief that the law could be a powerful tool for change.
- What do you enjoy most about being an attorney?
Serving as a trial judge is a unique balance of engaging with people—ensuring that even small legal matters are handled with care and respect—while also being deeply analytical, interpreting and applying the law. It combines the human element of the profession with an intellectual challenge.
- What is the biggest challenge you have faced in the legal profession?
When you first become a judge, it can be daunting to stand in front of a courtroom knowing that all eyes are on you. One of the biggest responsibilities is maintaining consistency—every similar case must be handled in the same way to ensure fairness. Today, one of the most pressing challenges is the decline in public trust and respect for the judiciary.
- What do you like most about Connecticut?
Though I’m originally from New York, I appreciate Connecticut’s mix of coastal and rural landscapes. The state’s small legal community is also an asset—you often cross paths with the same people, which fosters a strong professional network. With only 200 judges in the state, the legal field feels both intimate and interconnected.
- Please share any community service you have participated in and are most proud of.
Before becoming a judge, I spent a decade as a legal aid lawyer, which was deeply rooted in community service—work that I found incredibly fulfilling. After joining the bench, certain restrictions limited the kinds of advocacy I could engage in, but I remained involved through committees and commissions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I volunteered with the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen in New Haven. Currently, I chair the Singer Fellowship through the Connecticut Bar Foundation, which supports new lawyers with innovative ideas, and I love being part of that effort.
- Why is the Fellows Program special to you?
The Fellows play a crucial but often unseen role in Connecticut’s legal community. It’s a network of like-minded professionals who share a commitment to justice and legal service. Given how small Connecticut’s legal field is, I appreciate the opportunity to connect with colleagues who are equally passionate about these issues. The Fellows are full of great ideas—our biggest challenge is simply finding the time and resources to bring them all to life.
- Please share any favorite Fellows-related memory (an event, a fellow Fellow, etc.), or tell us about your favorite Fellows program/event/committee that you attended or worked on.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my involvement with the Fellows is the Singer Fellowship. Interviewing applicants is always a highlight, but the best part is telling someone they’ve been awarded the fellowship. It’s a privilege to see young lawyers get the support they need to launch a project that aligns with their vision and passion for the legal field.
- Do you have any thoughts about, or ideas or visions for, the future of the Fellows program?
Looking ahead, I see the Fellows taking a leading role in advancing the idea of civil Gideon—the right to legal counsel in civil cases, not just in criminal matters. Expanding access to legal representation in this way would be a significant step toward justice for all.
- Is there a fun fact about yourself that you would care to share with other Fellows?
Between college and law school I lived in New Haven and worked three jobs to make ends meet. One of those jobs was the late shift at Ashley’s Ice Cream on York Street; scooping cones until 2:00am for the last-call crowds from Toad’s Place and Rudy’s.
