Happy Holidays!

As the year winds down and we look forward to Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza, I want to wish all of our members a happy holiday season.  No matter which holiday one celebrates, the feelings of joy and family are the same.

I would like to thank all our members and the law firms that made contributions to our recent charitable events.  Our food drive for Operation Hope and the Bridgeport Rescue Mission was a tremendous success as we collected hundreds of pounds of food and raised approximately  $4,000 in financial donations and gift cards.  We also raised $ 1,477 for the Salvation Army and collected toys and $1,305 for Toys for Tots.  The generosity of our members during this holiday season is a testament to the commitment we have for the Greater Bridgeport community.

In addition to our fundraising, we recently had a virtual beer tasting with Chris Willett of Milford Point Brewing which was fun and interesting.  About thirty members participated and everyone had a great time.

We intend to hold more virtual events in the future such as wine tasting, trivia contests and a floral decoration class.

2020 has been a time of unprecedented fiscal challenges for our organization.  As a result of the pandemic, renewals for 2020 were down significantly. Due to Covid, we could not hold
in-person events such as our annual dinner, seminars, and cocktail hours, which provide significant revenue to our organization. As a non-profit association, we were not eligible for PPP  loans. The Board has taken steps to address our finances by reducing payroll and expenses and by closing the Fairfield County Lawyer Referral Service.  When our former executive director resigned at the end of February, the Board took over her functions until we hired Cindy Nigro in October.   

I expect 2021 to be a better time for the GBBA.  With vaccines starting to be distributed, we all can see a time when things will be closer to normal.  As soon as it is safe to do so, we will resume in-person events.  Until then, we will continue to provide remote CLE and social functions.  Current events and activities are always featured on our website: www.bridgeportbar.org. as well as on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/bridgeport.bar .  Please visit these sites and share.

Renewal notices for the 2020-2021 fiscal year have been sent to you.  If you have returned your renewal, thank you!  If you have not, we kindly ask that you do so at your earliest convenience.  A renewal form is attached to this letter, but if you prefer, you can pay online with a credit card by calling the office.

On behalf of the GBBA, we wish you, your family, and your colleagues a joyous holiday season as well as healthy and safe New Year.  2021 cannot come soon enough!

All the best,

Frank Bailey

President , GBBA

February 16, 2021

Fall is here and there is a touch of winter in the air. As I write this message it is snowing! Things have been busy here at the GBBA.

First, and most important, we have a new executive director: Cindy Nigro. Over the last few months, we conducted a thorough search for a new director. We received over 40 resumes and conducted about 20 interviews until we came down to 3 excellent candidates. Cindy is a “people person” and has great enthusiasm for our organization. Cindy started on October 13. She will be in the office 4 days a week from 9 am - 2 pm. Please feel free to call or to drop by to get to know her.

The Board has made a decision to close down the Fairfield County Lawyer Referral Service. No new cases are being accepted as of November 1st . Existing files for which the FCLRs is owed a fee will remain open. This decision was not made lightly. It has become evident over the last few years that FCLRS was no longer bringing in cases and that most of its income came from the fees charged to attorneys to be on the referral list. Also, many of the calls it received were from folks seeking a referral to or assistance with social service agencies. Tricia Finitisis, who was the administrator of the FCLRS, has moved on. We thank Trish for her hard work and dedication.

We have also had some events. We had our annual bike ride on October 1 st at Sherwood Island State Park. It was a beautiful day and everyone who participated had a great time in a socially distanced atmosphere. On October 29 we held a Microsoft Teams meeting with all the judges of the judicial district of Fairfield at Bridgeport. Every judge in the district participated and each PJ discussed the changes that are coming when the Courts fully reopen this month. I’d like to thank Judge Welch for helping to arrange this meeting; it was informative and helpful to everyone involved. Over 100 people attended.

Our committees continue to meet. The GBBA has a Zoom account and it is available for use by our committees. Please call Cindy to make arrangements. We are now in the midst of our annual “Horn of Plenty” food drive. Nancy Ganassini has been a tremendous help organizing and publicizing the food drive. Food is being collected at the GBBA office up to November 13 between 10 am and 2 pm. Please call first.

We are collecting food for Operation Hope and the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. Grocery store gift cards and check donations are gratefully accepted, as are food items. The items most sought are: Gift cards for perishable food

Jelly

Stuffing

Gravy

Green beans

Canned Corn

Boxed mashed potatoes

Fried onions

Corn

bread/muffin mix

Pie crust mix

This year, more than usual, the need is great so please make a donation.

Lastly, with the pandemic ongoing, we probably are not going to have any in-person activities for the foreseeable future. Please let us know if there are any virtual events that interest you. Possibilities are virtual coffee hours, cocktail hours, contests and, of course, seminars. Check out our website at bridgeportbar.org as well as our Facebook page for news and upcoming activities.

I hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and stay safe.

  All the best,

  Frank Bailey President, GBBA

On August 6, 1880, the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association held its first annual dinner meeting.  According to Record of the Bridgeport Bar Association 1880-1908, thirteen attorneys traveled to Meadows End in Milford to hold a Rhode Island style clambake.  The event was highlighted by speeches and even poetry readings.   The dinner was so successful that the following year it was repeated on a larger scale.  On July 10, 1881, it was “…universally voted to make the lawyers’ clambake a permanent annual institution.”  

Our founders, however, did not anticipate a pandemic that has killed approximately150,000 Americans and has shut down virtually all public activities.   So, our 2020 annual dinner  was postponed, and it is uncertain when it can next be held. The way that law is practiced in Connecticut will be irrevocably changed by the coronavirus.  

Our bylaws require us to hold an annual election in the month of May to elect our officers and board of directors .  Without an annual dinner, we amended our bylaws so that we could hold a remote election.  The election concluded on May 15th and I am privileged to be elected as your new President.  The remaining officers are :

• Steven Levy – President- Elect
• Etan Hirsh – Vice President
• Charleen Merced Agosto – Secretary
• Venoal Fountain – Treasurer

The Annual Meeting of the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association to elect Officers and Directors shall be conducted on May 15, 2020.  The meeting will be conducted via remote voting.  On or about May 5, 2020, the Bar Association will be sending out an electronic ballot to all members in good standing pursuant to the By-Laws of the Association.  The ballot must be returned via email or fax on or before May 15, 2020 at which time the ballots will be counted and the officers and directors for the 2020-2021 term shall be elected.

It is essential that all members return the ballots on or before May 15, 2020.  In the event that you have not paid your dues for 2020, you can pay on-line at the GBBA website in advance or simultaneous with the return of your ballot in order to qualify as a member in good standing.

As important as the business aspect of the message, I do hope that this President’s message finds you all staying safe and healthy during these unprecedented times.

Ironically, the week of May 4 -8 is National Lawyer Well-Being Week.  The aim of Well-Being Week is to raise awareness and encourage action across the profession to improve the well-being for lawyers and their support teams.   Now, more than ever, awareness, identification and assistance regarding issues effecting the well-being of lawyers is essential to our profession.   The GBBA is fortunate to have an active Concern for the Profession Standing Committee co-chaired by Steve Levy and Sheryl Shaughnessey.  Should any of our members need confidential assistance, please reach out to us.  We are here to support our membership, especially in these challenging times.

Unfortunately, due to the current COVID-19 restrictions in place, we were unable to host our annual Law Day celebration.  However, the GBBA will be one of many local Bar Associations that will be participating in a Virtual Law Day lunch and learn program/ webinar planned for Friday, May 8, 2020, from 12 pm to 1 pm.  Secretary of the State Denise Merrill will be weaving the Law Day theme of the 19^th Amendment centennial and suffrage historically into a discussion about voting challenges today.  The CBA will be providing additional information concerning the webinar.

We all continue to adapt to the strange times before us both in our professional and personal lives.  As a local Bar Association, the importance of unity and support for each other continues to resonate with me.  As there continues to be less opportunity for face to face contact and limitations on group meetings for educational seminars and bar sponsored social functions, I urge each of you to take the time to reach out to a fellow Bar Association member to demonstrate unity and support during these changing times.

Matthew C. Reale, President

Greater Bridgeport Bar Association

It has been approximately 6 weeks since the changes to the legal community commenced as a result of the pandemic. Since that time, we have experienced numerous changes to the manner in which we conduct our legal services. The GBBA will continue to provide notice of changes to the legal environment by posts on the GBBA website, general email blasts to our membership and specific emails from Committee Chairs to committee members. Now, more than ever, the importance and value of membership in the GBBA is vital to our profession. 

As you all may be aware, previously, the Board voted to postpone the Annual Dinner to a later date. Although the Annual Dinner provides to our members an opportunity to socialize and enjoy an evening with each other, there is also a business purpose to the Annual Dinner. Pursuant to our corporate By-laws we are required to elect officers and fill board vacancies at our annual meeting. The Board is currently working on an Amendment to the By-laws to permit voting by electronic ballot submission from the qualified membership (either by email or fax ballot) in order to effectuate the obligation of an Annual Meeting. Accordingly, in anticipation of a May meeting, members in good standing will be asked to complete an electronic ballot and return the same via either email or fax. 

Unfortunately, there will be no formal Law Day Program this year which typically is presented annually by the GBBA on May 1. This year’s theme is the 100th year anniversary of the Woman’s Suffrage with the ratification of 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on August 18, 1920. I would ask our membership to individually acknowledge Law Day and reflect upon what being a member of the bar means to you and your respective community.

In addition, the annual Golf Outing scheduled for June 22 has been postponed to a later date. The tentative rescheduled date is August 24, 2020. 

As I speak with fellow GBBA members and continue to discuss this matter among the members of the Board of Directors and my fellow officers, it is abundantly clear that this unfortunate and unanticipated crisis has affected all of us not only in our professional lives but also in our personal lives. I want to take this opportunity to make each and everyone of our members aware, that we are all in this together and the GBBA, its Board of Directors and Officers are here for you and each other. Together and united, we will persevere and overcome this challenge. 

It is important to realize that we are all adapting to and dealing with a variety of restrictions and limitations within our respective practice areas. It is incumbent upon us to work together as members of the GBBA to maintain and preserve the integrity of our Bar in light of the brave new world in which we now practice. 

Currently, we are still seeking a new Executive Director as the position has been vacant since mid-march. I would like to thank members of the Board and my Officers for their hard work and extra efforts in managing the GBBA under the current unique conditions and lack of an executive director. Should anyone know of a qualified candidate, please pass along to us. 

A friendly reminder regarding annual dues. If you have not done so already, you can pay your annual dues through the website’s payment portal. (https://www.bridgeportbar.org). At this point, the website only allows for a general membership payment. If you are a Sustaining Member or another category, you may want to consider sending in a check.

Although the GBBA office is not physically open, our staff is working remotely to manage our affairs. Should anyone have questions or concerns, please feel free to send an email to the office. The email address is GBBA@Bridgeportbar.org. We will continue to do our best to provide service to our membership. 

If there is anyone who needs special or immediate attention, please feel free to reach out to me, Frank Bailey, President-Elect and/or Sheryl Shaughnessey or Steve Levy, the co-chairs of the Concern for the Profession Committee. 

I sincerely appreciate all the efforts of our members in working through these unprecedented times. I wish you, your families, friends and colleagues the best of health. 

Matthew C. Reale, President

Greater Bridgeport Bar Association

Over the past two weeks, I personally have received countless emails and messages from colleagues, clients, municipalities and the courts regarding the to the growing concern for the COVID 19 virus pandemic and its effect upon the legal practice. 

Executive Order No. 7H was signed by the Governor on March 20, 2020 and takes effect on March 23rd at 8pm.   Under this order all non-essential businesses and non-profit entities shall conduct business by telecommuting or by implementing work-from -home procedures in order to reduce their workforce at any workplace by 100%.  The following were deemed essential services and are exempt from this order: 

-          Legal and accounting services

-          Banks

-          Insurance Companies

-          other financial institutions

With all due respect, I had always considered legal services as essential.

Despite the exemption of legal services from the Executive Order, we as a bar must do our part to reduce the spread of the coronavirus by putting into practice procedures to limit personal social interaction. The challenge, however, is to maintain the balance between providing legal services and doing our part to promote and protect public safety and welfare.  Additionally, it is our responsibility to consider the health, safety and welfare of employees, staff and third-party providers with whom we regularly engage.  I urge all of you to come up with a strategic plan that addresses these issues.

The importance of communication under Rule 1.4 of the Rules of Professional Conduct has never been more important to our practice.  As stated in the commentary to this rule, reasonable communication between the lawyer and the client is necessary for the client to effectively participate in the representation.  We need to keep clients reasonably advised of all the changes in how we practice law during this crisis, so that they can effectively communicate with us.

On a final note, I want to be clear regarding my opinion as President of the GBBA:  If you are not assisting your fellow GBBA member, you are not honoring the profession of the practice of law.

Let us all do our part to assist each other for the greater good of our profession.

Please stay safe.

Matthew C. Reale, President

Greater Bridgeport Bar Association

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE-HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL

As we rapidly approach the end of winter and the first day of spring, we can all be thankful for what was a very mild winter.  However, as we all know too well, there is no dancing without payment to the band leader.  Similar to a bargain for exchange of consideration in a Contract treatise book from law school, the benefit of the mild winter is apparently now being exchanged for the detriment of the spread of the Coronavirus and its effect upon our daily lives.

I would encourage all members to stay up to date with the announcements from the Federal, State and local governments concerning the adjustment to operations as a result of the Coronavirus.  Now, as much as ever, we need to work together as members of our Association to maintain and preserve the integrity and order of our legal system.

At a special meeting of the Board of Directors on March 12, 2020, the members voted unanimously to postpone the social portion of our annual dinner, which was scheduled for May 12, 2020.   This decision was not made lightly.  The primary reason for postponement is the safety and welfare of our membership during this pandemic.  The Board, nonetheless, recognizes its obligation to hold a membership business meeting in May 2020 as required by our bylaws.  Accordingly, we are working on scheduling a membership meeting in a manner that protects our member from illness.  The details of the meeting will be announced at later date.

I would like to announce that the new and improved GBBA website has been launched and is up and running!  Members now can access the website to view announcements, review the membership directory, register for seminars and events.  Please go to the website (https://www.bridgeportbar.org) and register as a member.  If you have not done so already, you can pay your annual dues through the website’s payment portal.    At this point, the website only allows for a general membership payment.  If you are a Sustaining Member or another category, you may want to consider sending in a check.  As you may recall, the membership invoices were sent out last December.

Please be advised that our Executive Director, Antoinette Manganello, has resigned her position.  Her last day in the office was February 28, 2020.  We have put together a search committee and are diligently working to secure a new Executive Director.  Meanwhile, Trish and Katarina will continue to be in the office during the day to handle routine matters.  Of course, should anyone know any qualified candidates, please feel free to pass them along to us.  I have attached a description of the position to the end of this message.  You can email me (attyreale@anthonyandreale.com ) or Frank Bailey (fbailey@tremontsheldon.com).  We appreciate all member’s patience during this transition period.

We will continue to host seminars and committee meetings during the absence of an Executive Director.  However, it is anticipated that seminars and committee meetings may be adjusted due to the Coronavirus. 

At this point, it is uncertain as to the status of Law Day, which is scheduled to be held at the Superior Court on May 1, 2020.  We will keep you posted of any developments.  The Annual Golf Outing is scheduled for Monday, June 22, 2020 and is planned as scheduled at this point.

Thank you all for your attention to the matters set forth herein.  Hope Springs Eternal!

Matthew C. Reale

President – Greater Bridgeport Bar Association

The Greater Bridgeport Bar Association seeks an outgoing self-starter with strong in-person networking skills and experience with online social media to serve as its Executive Director.

The GBBA is a 140-year-old association of lawyers practicing in greater Bridgeport.  It hosts social and continuing education programs for its members, serves as a liaison between the bar and the local courts, and provides charitable services to the community.

The responsibilities of the executive director are:

• Recruitment and retention of members, including by one-on-one outreach
• Serving as the public face and chief promoter of the organization, by planning, attending, and emceeing events, maintaining an active social media presence, helping connect members to one another, and serving as the point of contact between the GBBA and charitable organizations
• Working with committee chairs to plan seminars
• Regular communication with members, area law firms, and the courts
• Supporting the board of directors in the governance of the organization – meetings, minutes, resolutions, etc.
• Day-to-day office administration, including paying bills

Necessary qualifications:

• Affable, proactive networker – friendly and engaging
• Professional demeanor suitable for hosting conferences, interacting with judges, etc. – experience interacting with lawyers and the business community
• Thorough familiarity with online social media
• Competent with QuickBooks, and able to manage bank accounts

We also have a strong preference for:

• Someone who is local and knows the area and local law firms
• Experience seeking out event sponsorships from businesses

This is a part-time, salaried position, that generally takes about 30 hours per week to perform, although the hours can vary, and include some evenings.  Some supervision of other part-time staff members is involved.

How time flies… it seems like just last month we held our Annual Dinner and I was inaugurated as the 139th President of the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association. Surprisingly, six months have rapidly elapsed and I now enter the second half of my term along with the officers of the Board, namely: Frank Bailey, President-Elect, Steve Levy, Vice-President, Etan Hirsch, Secretary and Charleen Agosto-Merced, Treasurer.

We have welcomed in Judge Joan Alexander as the new Administrative Judge at the Bridgeport Superior Court. I had the pleasure to sit down with Judge Alexander along with Chief Clerk Rob Wilock and Deputy Chief Clerk Katie Nielsen and former Board President Sheryl Shaughnessey to discuss the Bench and GBBA relationship. To say that I was impressed by Judge Alexander’s recognition of the importance of a substantial relationship between the Bench and Bar would be an understatement. I can report to the membership that we can all look forward to a healthy and productive relationship in furtherance of the integrity of our profession. Specifically, we reviewed with Judge Alexander the Service of Remembrance which will be held in April and Law Day in May; we are working on holding both events in the Courthouse. Additionally, we discussed working on the placement of a GBBA Announcement and Notice Board in order to provide GBBA presence and exposure at the Courthouse.

In furtherance of the Bench/Bar relationship, the GBBA hosted the CBA Bench Bar Symposium on Professionalism at the Bridgeport Superior Court. Etan Hirsch chaired the GBBA Committee and worked tirelessly with the CBA to secure speakers, presenters and attendance. The Symposium rivaled the success when it was last held in Bridgeport under then President Thomas Maxwell. This year’s event included opening remarks from the Honorable Patrick L. Carroll and the Honorable Joan Alexander and featured Justice Joelle Katz (Ret.) as the keynote speaker.

This Holiday Season we once again demonstrated the unrecognized quality and character of our incredible membership. Aside from the variety of independent acts of kindness performed by our individual members throughout the season, our Association assisted, sponsored and/or participated in a number of events, including, the Horn of Plenty Food Drive to benefit Operation Hope and the Merton House, Toys for Tots, Holiday Gift Card Drive to benefit the Center for Family Justice, and the Salvation Army Bell Ringing at the Courthouse entrance. These selfless acts of kindness too often go unnoticed; however, they deserve recognition and appreciation. I thank each of every one of you for your continued participation in these time-honored events.

On the business side of the Association, we have finally taken the steps to commence launching the new GBBA website utilizing the new software purchased last year. Part of the challenge has been upgrading an antiquated operating system and computer hardware that had existed for many years. On behalf of the entire membership, I know we all look forward to a user friendly interactive GBBA experience. It has been much anticipated. In addition, the Officers have been reviewing the overall procedures for the operation of the Association, including a review of our banking and investment accounts and the Lawyer Referral Service with the intention to develop a standardized set of best business practices in order to assist in a more efficient and productive manner to operate the Association.

I have been an active participant with the CBA Council of Bar Presidents. The Council consists of local and affinity Bar Presidents and Executive Directors and meets in person at the CBA offices in New Britain as well as hosting conference calls to discuss topics and issues effecting the profession. One of the hot topics is the proposed revision to the MCLE requirements, which would include an administrative suspension after a short grace period for an attorney who fails to complete the required hours and/or fails to properly report completion upon annual renewal registration. It is my intention to review this matter with the Board of Directors and provide a position letter to the CBA on behalf of the GBBA.

Finally, I want to encourage all members to be engaged with the Association. Get to know your Executive Director, Antoinette Manganello … Get to know your fellow members … join a Committee Section such as Real Estate, Litigation or Family Law. Remember, this Association is what WE all make it to be. In addition, I urge all members to work towards the growth of this wonderful organization. With the inception of so many other bar associations, competition for membership has increased. It is important for all of us to recall and let others know that the local Bar Association has not only been the cornerstone of our profession but also serves as the caretaker of our incredible history as a profession in the Greater Bridgeport region.

Proudly Serving as your President.

Matthew C. Reale, Esq.

As I look forward to the upcoming year, my primary theme is to continue to grow our Bar Association.  I will be looking to all of our members to support this mission. We are not only one of the oldest Bar Associations but we are also one of the largest local bar association in the State of Connecticut.  In order to continue our growth, I will be reaching out to attorney’s in the Greater Bridgeport area and encouraging them to join the GBBA.  I will also be reaching out to current members to do the same.  The continued growth of this wonderful organization lies squarely in the hands of our incredible membership.

Increasing our membership is important to the sustenance of the Bar Association.  However, one of the keys to the success of our Bar lies in the participation of our membership.  Meaningful and valuable participation of our membership is provided within our Standing Committees as well as attendance at the Legal Education Programs and Social Events administered and hosted by the Association.  One of our more popular recurring Education Program is our unique “brown bag” lunch and learn roundtable usually held quarterly by our individual Standing Committees.  I cannot express the degree of gratitude that I have for the leadership demonstrated by our Committee Chairs in organizing and hosting our roundtable programs.

Our Executive Director is Antoinette Manganello.  She maintains daily office hours at the Bar office located on the 4^th Floor at 1057 Broad Street, diagonally behind the Fairfield County Judicial District Courthouse.  Antoinette is always receptive to meeting members.  I would encourage our members to drop in and introduce themselves to Antoinette.  For those of you who have not been to the Bar office, you will be pleasantly surprised by our conference room that is available for Bar Seminars and outside functions as well.

I am truly humbled by the opportunity to lead this the GBBA for this upcoming year.  I encourage you to contact me with any insight as to continue to grow OUR Greater Bridgeport Bar Association.  I can be reached at my office (203) 924-4300 or cell phone (203) 231-1597 or email:  attyreale@anthonyandreale.com.

Matthew Reale

President, GBBA