Day Pitney is pleased to announce that Hartford Partner Namita Shah was selected as the recipient of the 2024 Trailblazer Award by the South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut (SABAC). Shah, chair of the Private Equity and Finance group and a member of the Executive Board at Day Pitney, accepted her award at the SABAC 20^th Anniversary Annual Gala in Prospect, CT on September 18. SABAC's mission is to serve as a resource to South Asian lawyers and law students for growth, professional development, networking, and community outreach.

The SABAC Trailblazer Award is given to a leader in the legal profession who has demonstrated commitment to the South Asian legal community and whose personal and professional accomplishments are so exemplary and noteworthy as to mark her as a trailblazer among the members of the South Asian legal community of Connecticut. For more information on the award methodology, click here.

"We are incredibly proud of Namita's accomplishments and her recognition as a true trailblazer in the legal profession," said Greg Hayes, Managing Partner of Day Pitney. "Her dedication to her practice and her unwavering commitment to the South Asian legal community exemplifies the values that drive our firm forward. Namita's leadership not only elevates our firm, but also inspires the next generation of attorneys."

Shah practices in the area of public and private finance. She is the first South Asian woman to serve as the primary attorney in Day Pitney's roles as Lead Bond Counsel and Lead Disclosure Counsel for the State of Connecticut. She has acted as bond counsel, disclosure counsel, borrower's counsel, underwriter's counsel and trustee's counsel on general obligation and conduit financings throughout the region. Shah has extensive experience with general state and municipal law and frequently drafts state legislation on a range of matters.

"I am deeply honored to receive the 2024 Trailblazer Award from SABAC," said Shah. "This award not only recognizes my efforts, but reflects the collective support I have received from members of the SABAC community throughout my career. It is that support that has driven me to give back and contribute to the growth and success of the South Asian legal community and to continue advocating for diversity and inclusion within our profession."

Shah is a two-time past president (2018-2020) and a former Board Director of SABAC. She currently continues to guide and mentor SABAC leadership and membership through her continuing service on the SABAC Advisory Council and the SABAC Endowed Fund Scholarship Committee. Shah played a critical role in the initial funding of the SABAC Endowed Fund Scholarship, created in collaboration with the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

Shah previously was recognized by South Asian Bar Association of North America with their Cornerstone Award in 2022. Additionally, she was listed as a "Woman Worth Watching," by Profiles of Diversity Journal and a "Woman of Power," by the Urban League of Southern Connecticut. Shah received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Boston University School of Law and her B.S., magna cum laude, from the University of Connecticut.

Day Pitney is a proud sponsor of SABAC. The firm strongly believes in the importance of leadership and involvement in organizations like SABAC, which foster diversity, inclusion, and professional growth within the legal community. Day Pitney's commitment to supporting its attorneys in their external leadership roles is central to the firm's values, as it enriches the firm's culture, enhances its service to clients, and contributes to the broader legal profession.

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