As part of next week’s Law Day celebration, the Connecticut Supreme Court will present members of Connecticut’s minority bar associations with the annual Law Day award. The ceremony will take place in the Supreme Court courtroom at 10 a.m. on May 1, 2008. Cameras will be allowed.

“For the past year, the leadership of the minority bar associations has worked tirelessly with us to reach our mutual goal of increasing diversity within the Judicial Branch. Their efforts have focused on holding career fairs to interest minority law students in pursuing job opportunities within the court system,” Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers said.

“In addition,” the Chief Justice said, “they organized a forum for minority attorneys interested in becoming Superior Court judges. The speakers included the chair of the Judicial Selection Commission, the Governor’s Legal Counsel, prominent attorneys and judges who explained the process and answered questions regarding the appointment process.”

Those receiving the 2008 Law Day Award are:

• Attorney Angel Feng, President, Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar Association
• Attorney Susan Kim, Board Member, Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar Association
• Attorney Maria Jimena Rivera, President, Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association
• Attorney Toni M. Smith-Rosario, Board Member, Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association
• Attorney Vanessa D. Roberts, President, George W. Crawford Black Bar Association
• Attorney Moy N. Ogilvie, Board Member, George W. Crawford Black Bar Association
• Attorney Cecil J. Thomas, President, South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut
• Attorney Rupal Shah Palanki, Vice President, South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut

The Chief Justice added: “While there is still much work to be done, the efforts of these individuals over the past year have been invaluable in laying the foundation to achieve greater diversity within the court system.”

For further information, please contact the External Affairs Division at 860-757-2270.