Author: Leblanc, Jeanne

James Shearin ’86 Elected CBA President

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James T. "Tim" Shearin

James T. (Tim) Shearin '86 began a one-year term as president of the Connecticut Bar Association on July 1, 2024. Shearin, a member of Pullman & Comley LLC, served as the firm's chairman for nine years and led its Litigation Department for 15 years. He has served in several capacities with the Connecticut Bar Association and is a past president of the Connecticut Bar Foundation. In 2009 he received the Connecticut Bar Association's John Eldred Shields Professional Service Award and in 2014 the University of Connecticut Law School Alumni Association presented him with the Distinguished Graduate Award.

Mike Aresco ’76 Announces Retirement

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Mike Aresco

Mike Aresco '76 has announced his plans to retire from the post of commissioner of the American Athletic Conference on May 31, 2024. Aresco was the fourth commissioner of the Big East Conference and oversaw the reconstitution of the organization into the American Athletic Conference in 2013. He previously served as executive vice president of programming at CBS Sports. The University of Connecticut Law School Alumni Association awarded him the Distinguished Graduate Award in 2013.

Vanessa L. Bryant ’78 Retires From Federal Bench

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Vanessa L. Bryant

Judge Vanessa L. Bryant '78 has retired as of Dec. 31, 2023 from the U.S. District Court in the District of Connecticut, where she served for more than 16 years. The first Black woman appointed to the federal court in New England, she issued many notable decisions, including a ruling in 2012 that the Defense of Marriage Act violated the Constitution. Before her appointment to the federal bench, Bryant served as a judge of the Connecticut Superior Court. She previously was a partner at Hawkins, Delafield & Wood LLP; a member of the Board of Pardons; Chapter 13 trustee for the United States Bankruptcy Court of the District of Connecticut; vice president and general counsel of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority; in-house counsel at Aetna Life & Casualty Co. and Shawmut Bank; and an associate at Day Pitney LLP, formerly Day, Berry & Howard LLP. Bryant, who took senior status in 2021,is legally blind and a role model for those with visual impairments.

Two Alumni Promoted at Robinson & Cole

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Scott Garosshen ’15 and Dan Brody ’15 have been elevated to counsel at Robinson & Cole LLP effective Jan. 1, 2024. Brody is a member of the firm’s Litigation Section, including the Business Litigation Group and the Government Enforcement and White-Collar Defense, and Internal Investigations and Corporate Compliance Teams. Garosshen is a member of the firm’s Business Litigation Group and Appellate Practice Group. Both work in the firm’s Hartford Office.