Orange Resident Honored at New CBA Awards Celebration

The Connecticut Bar Association (CBA) is proud to announce Attorney Thomas J. Dufour as a recipient of The Honorable Anthony V. DeMayo Pro Bono Award.

Thomas J. Dufour is the owner of the Law Offices of Thomas J. Dufour LLC in New Haven. He practices in the areas of real estate, both commercial and residential, commercial finance, business law, environmental law, and healthcare. In the area of real estate, he handles many different types of transactions, and has extensive experience in assisting clients with issues relating to environmentally contaminated properties. He also advises business owners in a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and other professional businesses.

Attorney Dufour has been a major participant in Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut’s New Haven Security Deposit Clinic since its inception six years ago. He is a consistent participant of the monthly clinic where he helps pro se litigants complete small claims paperwork so they can sue their former landlords for return of their security deposits. He advises the clients about how to make their case in court and how to counter possible landlord counterclaims.

His service to others extends beyond the law with his involvement as a current board member of The Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund and as a prior board member of Connecticut Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity. He is also a member of the CBA Real Property Section and Environmental Law Section.

The Honorable Anthony V. DeMayo Pro Bono Award was presented to Dufour at the CBA’s new annual awards celebration, “Celebrate with the Stars,” on April 3 at Cascade in Hamden sponsored by Geraghty & Bonnano LLC, Attorneys at Law and Kronholm Insurance Services.

For decades, the association has honored leaders in the legal profession for their professional accomplishments and community service as part of the CBA Annual Meeting. This year, a separate event was dedicated to recognizing Connecticut’s top judges and lawyers who make a difference through their work by demonstrating allegiance, dedication, conscientious service, commitment, and mentorship.

“Celebrate with the Stars” is an exciting occasion where professionals and supporters of the legal industry can mix and mingle with their peers in a lively, celebratory evening out. Other awards presented at “Celebrate with the Stars” included: the Henry J. Naruk Judiciary Award, the Charles J. Parker Legal Services Award, the Tapping Reeve Legal Educator Award, the Citizen of the Law Award, and The John Eldred Shields Distinguished Professional Service Award.

Recipients of The Honorable Anthony V. DeMayo Pro Bono Award are selected by the CBA Pro Bono Committee. Named in honor of the late Judge Anthony V. DeMayo (1924-2012), who tirelessly fought for fundamental fairness and championed the legal rights of the poor and accused, the award recognizes CBA members who volunteer for the Pro Bono Network. The recipients are selected based on their demonstrated dedication to the provision of legal services without expectation of payment to those in need.

The Connecticut Bar Association is a professional association committed to the advancement of justice, the practice of law, the image of the profession, and public understanding of the law. For more information, please visit www.ctbar.org.