The Connecticut Bar Association (CBA) co-hosted a video premiere on April 2 at Quinnipiac University School of Law, highlighting the stories of four attorneys of color in Connecticut. The event was organized with the Connecticut Bar Foundation, the CBF James W. Cooper Fellows, and Quinnipiac University School of Law.
The initiative aims to document and share the experiences of attorneys of color to educate and inspire future generations. The project is part of broader efforts to ensure that these personal narratives remain an enduring part of Connecticut’s legal history.
During the event, attendees first participated in a reception before viewing a video composed from interviews with Marilyn Diaz, Past CBA President Amy Lin Meyerson, Judge M. Nawaz Wahla, and John Rose, Jr. The film explored their backgrounds—including Attorney Rose’s experiences as an African American attorney in Connecticut, Judge Wahla’s service in Pakistan’s military prior to his legal career, Attorney Meyerson’s work forming an Asian affinity group during law school, and Attorney Diaz’s role at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
After the screening, all four participants answered questions from the audience about challenges they faced within the profession and progress made toward diversity. When asked how she supports younger attorneys today, Meyerson said: “I have continued to show up at the associations of the American Bar, the Connecticut Bar, the Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association so I can engage with younger attorneys and hopefully assist them when I see opportunities that I come across and recommend these folks for those opportunities.”
The CBA is a nonprofit member service entity that promotes justice and supports more than 7,000 members statewide through educational programs such as this one according to its official website. It fosters community well-being by offering free legal advice and pro bono representation according to its official website. The association also runs programs through its CBA Law Center according to its official website and partners with organizations like the Connecticut Bar Institute for charitable initiatives according to its official website.
Founded in 1875 with headquarters in Meriden—and guided by its president alongside a Board of Governors—the association continues advancing justice through advocacy efforts statewide according to its official website.
