How Judges Rule

The Connecticut Bar Association will be hosting a video panel discussion entitled "How Judges Rule." The event, which will be filmed at CBA's offices in Meriden will feature Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers and the Honorable Joette Katz. Joining the panel will be Moderator Aron Bayer.

Speaker Bios:

Moderator: Aron Bayer

Aron Bayer is Special Counsel and co-chair of his firm’s Education Practice Group, advising colleges, universities, private schools, and nonprofits on legal, regulatory, and reputational matters. He brings valuable insight from prior roles as General Counsel and Secretary of Connecticut College and Deputy Attorney General of Connecticut. He also served as counsel to U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman and the U.S. Senate Governmental Affairs Committee.

An accomplished appellate attorney and Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, Aron has argued numerous complex appeals nationwide. He previously chaired the firm’s Appellate Practice Group and has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America and Benchmark Litigation for excellence in appellate, commercial, and higher education law.

He is a longtime advocate for government transparency and has led statewide efforts to expand public access to the courts. Aron also serves on multiple nonprofit boards and has been honored for his leadership in the legal and civic communities.

Panelists:

Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers

Justice Chase T. Rogers served as the Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court from 2007 to 2018, becoming only the second woman to hold that position. Her judicial career began in 1998 when she was appointed to the Superior Court, followed by service on the Appellate Court before joining the Supreme Court. As Chief Justice, she led a period of significant modernization within the state judiciary, including expanding the use of technology in courtrooms, improving transparency and efficiency, and launching initiatives to increase access to justice for self-represented and underserved populations.
Justice Rogers is currently a Distinguished Jurist-in-Residence at Quinnipiac University School of Law, where she teaches and mentors students. In addition to her teaching, she continues to serve the legal community through board work and speaking engagements. She is widely admired for her leadership, intellect, and commitment to ensuring the judiciary serves the public with integrity and fairness.

The Honorable Joette Katz

Justice Joette Katz has had an extraordinary career in both the judiciary and public service. She served as an Associate Justice on the Connecticut Supreme Court from 1992 to 2011, where she authored numerous influential opinions on constitutional, civil, and criminal matters. Following her judicial tenure, she was appointed Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF), a role she held for eight years. During her time at DCF, she led a major overhaul of the agency, focusing on keeping children with families whenever safely possible, reducing reliance on institutional care, and improving outcomes for children in state custody.

Now a partner at Shipman & Goodwin LLP, Justice Katz advises clients on complex litigation, regulatory issues, and public policy matters. She is frequently called upon to speak about child welfare reform, leadership in government, and judicial perspectives on decision-making. Justice Katz is recognized not only for her brilliant legal mind but also for her courage, compassion, and tireless dedication to justice and systemic change.