Quinnipiac University School of Law to host ‘Reflections and Resilience’ civil rights symposium

Press release

NORTH HAVEN – Quinnipiac University School of Law will host a day-long symposium, “Reflections and Resilience: Honoring a Century of Advocacy and Navigating Today’s Civil Rights Challenges,” on Friday, Sept. 26, on the North Haven Campus, 370 Bassett Road.

During the symposium, a diverse group will examine historical efforts to secure civil rights and liberties—across areas such as voting, education, employment, healthcare, housing and economic justice.

Participants also will engage with recent developments in constitutional and statutory civil rights law, assess current challenges and evolving legal interpretations, and explore actionable steps to protect civil rights and liberties today.

“This symposium invites us to reflect on the hard-won progress of the past while confronting the urgent challenges of the present. Protecting civil rights and liberties requires vigilance, dialogue, and action across every sector of society,” said Brian Gallini, dean of Quinnipiac’s School of Law.

The event is co-sponsored by the “Quinnipiac Law Review,” Quinnipiac Law Professor Marilyn Ford, the Connecticut Bar Association and the Fairfield County Links.

“Sixty years ago, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act,” Ford said. “Seventy years ago, the Supreme Court decided Brown v. the Board of Education. And over 155 years ago, the 14th Amendment was adopted. Each of these milestones played a critical role in establishing and protecting civil rights and civil liberties in America.

“Today, many proclaim that our democracy is under attack and that we are in a state of emergency, as courts, legislatures, academics, institutions and private citizens wrestle with the meaning and application of these protections—especially the 14th Amendment,” Ford added.

Featured Panel Sessions:

9:00 – 10:45 a.m.

“The Legal Community: Securing and Protecting Equal Rights and Civil Liberties.”
Legal professionals and scholars explore the impact of constitutional interpretation, legal precedent and advocacy in preserving civil liberties.

10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

“Business Leaders, Political Leaders, and Religious Leaders: Securing and Protecting Equal Rights and Civil Liberties.”
Leaders discuss the roles of institutions and communities in confronting systemic inequalities and promoting inclusion.

1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

“Leaders on the Front Line: Navigating Today’s Equal Rights and Civil Liberties Challenges.”
Policy experts, community organizers, service providers and educators share ground-level perspectives and insights from direct engagement.

2:30 – 3:45 p.m.

“Outlook and Preparation for the Future.”
A forward-looking conversation on legal, cultural and policy innovations to advance civil rights protections in the decades to come.

Distinguished panelists are:

Vanessa Roberts Avery
Former U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Avery brings decades of public and private sector experience, navigating complex regulatory and criminal matters with a commitment to justice and equity. She is a partner at McCarter & English.

Bridgette Baldwin
Baldwin is associate dean of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion and professor of law at Western New England University School of Law. She is a leading scholar on criminal justice, race and the law and critical race theory.

Judge Victor Bolden
Appointed in 2015, Bolden serves on the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. Formerly Corporation Counsel for the City of New Haven, he has extensive experience in municipal and constitutional law.

Maritza Bond
Director of health for the City of New Haven, Bond has over 20 years of experience in public health, with a focus on equity, access and community-centered health policy.

The Rev. Dr. Andre L. Bradley
Senior Pastor of Union Baptist Church in Stamford, Connecticut and member of the White House Faith and Community Engagement Initiative, Bradley is a national advocate for faith-based community revitalization.

Victoria Christgau
Founder and executive director of the Connecticut Center for Nonviolence, Christgau has pioneered hundreds of educational initiatives promoting nonviolent conflict resolution and arts-integrated activism.

Shenae Draughn
President of Elm City Communities and The Glendower Group, Draughn oversees operations for New Haven’s Housing Authority, championing equitable access to housing since 2009.

Gary Ford Jr.
Associate professor in Africana Studies at Lehman College, CUNY, Ford specializes in African American history, literature and law, with deep expertise in race and social justice.

Senator Herron Keyon Gaston
Representing the 23rd Senate District, Gaston is also a senior pastor and university administrator. His career spans higher education, church leadership and criminal justice reform.

Aigné Goldsby Wells, Esq.
Attorney and public servant, Wells is a commissioner for the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission and magistrate for the judicial branch. Her legal career spans litigation, adjudication and civil rights.

Henry Hamilton III
A federal administrative law judge for over 25 years, Hamilton previously served as a senior trial attorney with the EEOC, a state magistrate and a prosecutor, advocating for due process and equal protection.

Shante Hanks
Hanks is a housing policy expert and advocate known for dismantling systemic barriers to housing access. Her work bridges grassroots activism with strategic policy implementation.

Carlton Highsmith
Founder of Specialized Packaging Group, Highsmith led one of the nation's most successful Black-owned businesses. He is vice chairman of Quinnipiac’s Board of Trustees and a champion of economic equity.

Tricia “CK” Hoffler
CEO of The CK Hoffler Firm, Hoffler is a national civil rights and personal injury attorney. She represents clients in high-stakes litigation, including NIL representation and corporate accountability. She is the former president of the National Bar Association.

Tatiana C. Machado
Professor and chair of business & hospitality at CT State – Tunxis Campus, Machado is a leader in curriculum innovation, accreditation and business education access.

Dolace McLean
Quinnipiac law professor and Cornell Law graduate, McLean’s scholarship focuses on Property, administrative law and American national identity, with a strong publication record in leading law reviews.

George Morgan Jr.
A UConn graduate with a background in civic engagement, student leadership and advocacy, Morgan is deeply committed to creating inclusive campus communities and empowering youth voices.

Erick Russell
State Treasurer since 2023, Russell is a New Haven native and the first in his family to graduate college. He oversees the state’s fiscal health with a focus on equity and responsible investment.

Kelsey Savoy
A third-year law student at Quinnipiac, Savoy is pursuing a concentration in Health Law and currently clerks at Halloran & Sage. She is set to join the firm as an associate attorney post-bar admission.

Natasha Silva
Silva is a third-year law student at Quinnipiac, where she serves as research and symposium editor of the Quinnipiac Law Review. She holds a bachelor’s in political science and human rights from UConn.

Alexis Smith
Executive director of New Haven Legal Assistance Association, Smith leads a nonprofit law firm dedicated to providing high-quality legal services to underserved individuals and families.

Kimberly Tapscott
Real estate broker and community advocate, Tapscott is president of the Stamford Board of REALTORS® and serves on the Connecticut Association of REALTORS® board of directors.

William Tong
Connecticut’s attorney general since 2019, Tong is a national leader in litigation related to opioids, data privacy, antitrust and consumer protection. He is now serving his second term.

Wayne Unger
A Quinnipiac law professor, Unger teaches constitutional law and First Amendment law, with expertise in privacy, criminal law and public discourse.

Dorothy M. Ventura
A veteran educator and equity leader, Ventura focuses on redesigning K–12 systems to ensure academic access and success for high-needs students.

Jaclyn Williams
Operations leader at Spectrum Communications, Williams brings corporate experience in process innovation and strategic change management, with a focus on equity and operational excellence.

The event is free and open to the public.