Mission & History
"Equal justice under law is not merely a caption on the facade of the Supreme Court building, it is perhaps the most inspiring ideal of our society. It is one of the ends for which our entire legal system exists . . . it is fundamental that justice should be the same, in substance and availability, without regard to economic status."- Retired U.S Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell, Jr., during his tenure as president of the American Bar Association
Advancing Civil Justice in Connecticut
The Connecticut Bar Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1952. The CBF’s mission is to facilitate systemic change that advances civil justice for all, regardless of power or resources, to achieve a more just and equitable society. The CBF works to do this by stewarding funding, volunteers, programming, data, innovation, and collaboration to lead and partner in integrated approaches to improving the administration of civil justice. Specifically, the CBF administers several grant programs that fund the delivery of legal services for Connecticut residents who cannot afford an attorney, including the Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts and the Interest on Trust Accounts (IOLTA/IOTA) programs, the Judicial Branch Grants-in-Aid, the Court Fees Grants-in-Aid, and the state’s Right to Counsel program. The Foundation also funds scholarships, based on financial need, for Connecticut students attending law schools in the state.
In 1994, the Foundation established the James W. Cooper Fellows as the result of a generous bequest from James W. Cooper. The Fellows develop and sponsor projects and programs to promote a better understanding of the legal profession, the judicial system, and the role of law in society; to explore ways to improve the profession and the administration of justice; and to further the highest ideals of the legal system.
To read about the CBF's mission and strategic plan, please click here.
The Foundation invites you to join our efforts to advance civil justice in Connecticut by donating now.
To learn more or if you have questions, please reach out to us at ctbf@ctbarfdn.org.
