Co-sponsored by the Quinnipiac Law Review, Quinnipiac Law Professor Marilyn Ford, the Connecticut Bar Association and the Fairfield County Links, the day-long symposium, “Reflections and Resilience: Honoring a Century of Advocacy and Navigating Today’s Civil Rights Challenges,” drew more than 400 attendees to the North Haven Campus on Sept. 26.

The symposium’s panelists explored how shifts in Constitutional doctrine affect everyday life; how leaders in different spheres have played – and must continue to play -- a role in protecting rights; and how frontline efforts are working to safeguard fundamental liberties today.

The day’s program of four panels meets the moment by reflecting on the hard-won progress of the past while confronting the urgent challenges of the present, said Quinnipiac School of Law Dean Brian Gallini.

“Today’s theme invites us to look both backward and forward at the same time. The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, promised equal protection under the law. Yet, the reading list for the symposium reminds us that the promise has been contested right from the jump,” Gallini said. “That’s why today matters. Over the course of four panels, we’ll hear from voices across so many sectors – legal, political, business, faith, community – each grappling with a singular question – how do we secure and protect equal rights and civil liberties in our time?”

During the morning’s opening panel, “The Legal Community: Securing and Protecting Equal Rights and Civil Liberties,” legal professionals and scholars explored the impact of constitutional interpretation, legal precedent and advocacy in preserving civil liberties in the modern era.  Next, “Business Leaders, Political Leaders, and Religious Leaders: Securing and Protecting Equal Rights and Civil Liberties,” asked the panel of leaders to discuss the roles of institutions and communities in confronting systemic inequalities and promoting inclusion.

The afternoon opened with the panel “Leaders on the Front Line: Navigating Today’s Equal Rights and Civil Liberties Challenges,” in which policy experts, community organizers, service providers and educators shared ground-level perspectives and insights from direct engagement.

The day concluded with the panel, “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.

Gallini also thanked the many hands involved in developing the symposium, guided by the mentorship and leadership of Professor Marilyn Ford.

“Her lifelong commitment to civil rights and constitutional law has inspired generations of lawyers and leaders. Thank you, Professor Ford, for your leadership,” said Gallini. Ford said the day’s compelling discussions juxtaposed the importance of historic milestones which played a critical role in establishing and protecting civil rights and civil liberties against the present challenges facing 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 said.

Quinnipiac Law Review Editor in Chief Olivia Ventura, JD ’26, thanked Professor Ford for making the event possible through her contributions to the scope and magnitude of the symposium topic.

“Professor Marilyn Ford has been such an amazing mentor in helping to bring this all together,” Ventura said.

Ventura also thanked several panelists contributing to the upcoming Quinnipiac Law Review issue as authors.

They are Judge Henry Hamilton III, a federal administrative law judge for over 25 years, previously served as a senior trial attorney with the EEOC, a state magistrate and a prosecutor, advocating due process and equal protection; Professor Bridgette Baldwin, associate dean of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion and professor of law at Western New England University School of Law and a leading scholar on criminal justice, race and the law and critical race theory; Gary Ford Jr., associate professor in Africana Studies at Lehman College, CUNY, specializing in African American history, literature and law, with deep expertise in race and social justice; Quinnipiac School of Law professor Wayne Unger, who teaches constitutional law and First Amendment law, with expertise in privacy, criminal law and public discourse; and Quinnipiac School of Law professor Dolace McLean, whose scholarship focuses on Property, administrative law and American national identity, with a strong publication record in leading law reviews.

The symposium’s impressive group of distinguished panelists also included:

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a national leader in litigation related to opioids, data privacy, antitrust and consumer protection. First elected in 2019, Tong is now serving his second term.

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

Judge Victor Bolden of the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut and former Corporation Counsel for the City of New Haven. Judge Bolden has extensive experience in municipal and constitutional law.

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

The Rev. Dr. Andre L. Bradley, Senior Pastor of Union Baptist Church in Stamford, Connecticut and a 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.

Connecticut Senator Herron Keyon Gaston, representing the 23rd Senate District and a senior pastor and university administrator, with a career spanning higher education, church leadership and criminal justice reform.

Aigné Goldsby Wells, Esq., both an attorney and a 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. 
Shante Hanks, 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 one of the nation's most successful Black-owned businesses. Highsmith is vice chairman of Quinnipiac’s Board of Trustees and a champion of economic equity.

Tricia “CK” Hoffle, 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. Hoffler is also 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.

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

Kelsey Savoy, a third-year law student at Quinnipiac, 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.

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.

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, an operations leader at Spectrum Communications. Williams has corporate experience in process innovation and strategic change management, with a focus on equity and operational excellence.

Natasha Silva, JD ’26, 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.

Silva thanked Professor Marilyn Ford for her support and guidance in helping Quinnipiac Law Review bring the symposium to life.

“This symposium is much more than just an academic exercise. It is a vital conversation. The challenges to civil rights and liberties that we face today echo past struggles that present new and complex questions. By coming together across disciplines, professions and perspectives, we affirm that the pursuit of equality is not finished, and that the dialogue allows us to not only honor the legacy of those who came before us, but also to equip ourselves for the work that still lies ahead,” Silva said.

Gallini said the day’s carefully crafted symposium and its important conversations resonate with the work of preparing law students to lead during the challenges ahead.

“As dean, I think often about the kinds of lawyers we are preparing to lead in this moment; lawyers who understand that the law is not static -- that it bends only when people of courage and conviction insist that it must. Lawyers who see the 14th Amendment not as a relic, but as a living commitment to justice,” Gallini said. “That’s why I’m particularly proud of our students and the Quinnipiac Law Review for taking the lead in organizing today’s program. Their dedication reminds us that the next generation is not just waiting on the sidelines. They’re already shaping the conversation that will define the future of civil rights.”

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