On May 27, Day Pitney hosted “Exploring Cultures Within Culture: A Fireside Chat with Connecticut Judge Cecil Thomas” in recognition of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.

Judge Thomas, who serves on the Connecticut Superior Court, shared reflections on his personal and professional journey, offering insights on leadership, identity, and representation within the legal profession. A respected leader in the legal community, he previously served as President of the South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut, Vice President of the Connecticut Bar Association—where he co-chaired the Diversity & Inclusion Committee for four years—and President of the University of Connecticut School of Law Alumni Association. His accomplishments have been recognized with the Connecticut Supreme Court Law Day Award, the Hartford County Bar Association’s Judge Maxwell Heiman Memorial Award, and the Connecticut Law Tribune’s New Leader in the Law Award.

The conversation invited attendees to explore the nuances of culture, community, and belonging through Judge Thomas’s experiences on and off the bench. The program fostered thoughtful discussion and meaningful audience engagement, creating an atmosphere of curiosity, connection, and shared learning.