Text Box: WHO WE ARE The Connecticut Bar Foundation (CBF), established in 1952, is a non-profit organization which develops and administers programs to enhance understanding and improvement of the law and legal institutions, and sponsors educational symposia. The Foundation also administers the Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA), the Judicial Branch-Grants-in-Aid, and the Court Fees Grants-in-Aid programs for the benefit of legal services agencies in Connecticut. We would like to express our thanks to all of the organizations and individuals whose generous support and contributions make the programs of the Foundation possible. IOLTA/IOTA IOLTA/IOTA grants for legal services suffered a 75% drop from 2008 to 2011. Grants for 2008 were in excess of $16,000,000; 2009 grants were cut to $8,080,589; 2010 and 2011 IOLTA grants are just $4,000,000. Since becoming mandatory, IOLTA/IOTA has awarded over $172 million in grants and scholarships, funding the largest portion of legal services for the poor in Connecticut. CBF is statutorily required to publish a detailed annual report of all funds disbursed under the program. The 2010 annual report is now available on line. Precipitous reductions in the Federal Funds Rate have affected the yields that banks pay on IOLTA account balances. These reductions, combined with the drop in real estate transactions and housing prices, have significantly decreased the principal balances in IOLTA/IOTA accounts. We are grateful to the Leadership Banks paying a higher rate than is required on IOLTA/IOTA balances. THE JAMES W. COOPER FELLOWS The Fellows Program was established in 1994 to promote a better understanding of the legal profession and the judicial system and to address matters concerning the legal profession and administration of justice in Connecticut. The Fellows program undertakes many projects throughout the year to accomplish its mission.

Connecticut Bar Foundation
Text Box: We would like to extend special thanks to the Connecticut Bar Association Click here to return to the CBA Text Box: 2011/2012 Essay Contest Topic Announced Click here to view the topic and rules