Leah Pavetti Hogan & Amy J. LiVolsi, Law Day Committee Co-Chairwomen
The Regional Bar Association
P.O. Box 8210, Stamford, CT 06905
Seventeen activities comprised the Regional Bar's 1997 Law Day celebration and impacted
all members of the community, from senior citizens to elementary school students. The
Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court delivered the annual Law Day speech, and,
in a televised event, the Stamford Superior Court Law Day Ceremony honored winners of the
School Art & Essay Contests, commemorated veterans and also encompassed the grand
opening of the first Judicial Information Counter in the state. Other activities included
the Norwalk Community Technical College Symposium, Adopt-A-Class, High School Mock Trial
Competition, Bookstore/Library Displays, Speeches to Seniors, Road Race, Softball
Tournament, five Charitable Drives, Immigration Informational Reception and Cocktail
Celebration. Cooperating/Cosponsoring organizations included: Stamford Superior Court,
State Chief Court Administrator's office, Quinnipiac College of Law, Stamford Hospital,
American Red Cross, Summer Street Cleaners, CTE, Inc., St. Luke's Lifeworks Employability
Center, Women's Mentoring Network, Stamford Running Club, Landmark Athletic Club,
Salvation Army, Norwalk Technical College and the Connecticut Bar Association.
In honor of Law Day 1997, the Regional Bar sponsored seventeen different activities
designed to raise awareness of American law and justice in all members of the community.
Each activity reached out to impact a particular segment of the public. With only a
nominal budget of $100.00 this year-long celebration would not have been possible if not
for the support of local law firms providing both volunteers and financial assistance.
1. Stamford Superior Court Law Day Ceremony
The Stamford Superior Court celebration of Law Day 1997 was not only featured on the
front page of the local newspaper, but was also televised on the local news network. The
annual Law Day speech was delivered by the Presiding Judge and the Mayor delivered the
Mayoral Proclamation. The judge presented the winners of the School Art & Essay
Contests with certificates and "Celebrate Your Freedom" T-shirts. A plaque, now
prominently displayed in the courthouse, was presented to honor the veterans who served
our country and protected our freedom.
2. Grand Opening of the Judicial Customer Information Center
In an effort to demystify the intricacies of our legal system, the State Chief Court
Administrator's office, with the help of Superior Court staff and members of the Regional
Bar, celebrated the grand opening of the state's first Court Information Center as part of
the Courthouse Ceremony. The purpose of the Center is to make the court more accessible to
the public by providing bi-lingual staffing, informational maps and pamphlets, court forms
and a public access computer terminal.
3. Law Day Luncheon & Presentation of the Liberty Bell Award
The Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justice delivered the keynote address and
recognized the winning team members of the Mock Trial Competition, who were honored
guests. Luncheon attenders were also educated by the remarks of the 1997 Liberty Bell
Award winner, a citizen activist who spoke on issues of women and domestic violence.
4. School Art and Essay Contest
Various students from kindergarten through high school gained an appreciation for the
positive role of law in our society by submitting essays and art on this year's Law Day
theme. Winning entries were displayed at the courthouse throughout May. One contest winner
was featured prominently in the newspaper.
5. High School Mock Trial Competition
High school students were forced to confront the legal ramifications of using steroids
in the 7th annual Mock Trial Competition held at the courthouse. Local attorneys and
judges volunteered to mentor the teams and to educate each student on the legal and moral
issues surrounding the illegal use of drugs in our society.
6. Adopt-A-Class Program
43 classes of first through fifth graders were "adopted" by attorneys who
made presentations on freedom and responsibility. Each presentation resulted in lively
question an answer sessions where topics ranged from the O.J. Simpson and Alex Kelly
trials to issues surrounding divorce and child custody.
7. Norwalk Community Technical College Symposium
College students were invited to focus on their rights and duties of citizenship during
a half day symposium which featured keynote speaker, U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly B.
Fitzsimmons and a panel of four who led a group discussion on the topic "Celebrate
Your Freedom."
8. Speeches to Seniors
Senior citizens were made active participants in Law Day when attorneys traveled to a
senior health care facility and made presentations on various elder law issues. 23 senior
citizen organizations were invited to participate.
9. Immigration Informational Reception
Area immigration attorneys hosted a reception for newly inducted legal permanent
residents. The International Institute invited clients to attend this celebration where
immigration attorneys were available to offer information and answer questions.
10. Charitable Drives
Year-round relationships with local charities are traditionally maintained by the
Regional Bar in connection with Law Day, and this year was no exception!
a. 7th Annual Horn of Plenty Food and Clothing Drive
Truckloads of donated food and clothing were collected and distributed to the needy by the
Salvation Army.
b. 3rd Annual Children's Bank Toy Drive
Donated toys filled an entire armory gymnasium before they were distributed to needy
children during the Christmas/Chanukah holiday.
c. 3rd Annual Law Day Blood Drive
Over seventy donors participated in the annual Law Day Blood Drive.
d. 1st Annual Professional Clothing Drive
Used business attire was collected and donated to organizations which assist persons
entering or re-entering the workplace.
11. The 14th Annual Fred Weisberg Memorial 5K Law Day Road Race and the 1st Annual
Law Day Softball Tournament
The protections of the law should not be denied to the indigent. Over 100 runners
competed in the 14th annual Law Day Road Race, while teams comprised of members of the
legal community, their families and friends participated in the 1st Annual Law Day
Softball Tournament. Proceeds were donated to Connecticut Legal Services which provides
free legal services.
12. Bookstore and Library Law Day Displays
The entire community was exposed to Law Day when local bookstores and libraries
showcased "Celebrate Your Freedom" book displays during the month of May.
13. Celebrate Your Freedom "Celebration"
Local attorneys were encouraged to bring friends and colleagues from other professions
to a cocktail reception designed to encourage active participation in all Law Day events.
