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20 ■ JUNE 7, 2021 NEWS

Attorney, Judge Will Co-Chair Governor’s

Hate-Crimes Advisory Council

By Robert Storace

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont. Photo: Michael Marciano/ALM

n the backdrop of hate crimes spiking in “The council is so very diverse,” said Lavine, who
the state and throughout the country, Gov. noted there are members representing churches,
INed Lamont announced the formation of a different ethnic grounds, institutions of higher
25-person Connecticut Hate Crimes Advisory learning, the business community and nonprof-
Council that will feature an attorney and judge its, among others. “I think attorneys, specifically,
as co-chairs. can assist, given their understanding of the crimi-
Co-chairing the advisory council is Judge Trial nal and civil legal system. Lawyers can—because
Referee Douglas Lavine and Connecticut Bar of their background, experience and training—
Association President Amy Lin Meyerson. bring their special knowledge to bear on the fairly
University of Connecticut School of Law complex legal issues.”
professor Richard Wilson and the president or In a press release, the governor said the advi-
designees of four affinity bar associations in the sory council will be responsible for coordinating
state will be ex officio members. programs that increase community awareness and
Lavine, Meyerson and Wilson said the legal reporting of hate crimes and to combat those crimes.
community could help provide much-needed Lamont also said the council, which is expect-
answers to lots of questions. ed to meet periodically in the summer and then

CONNECTICUT
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