Madison Resident Honored at New CBA Awards Celebration

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

James O. Craven is Counsel in Wiggin and Dana LLP’s Litigation Department. His practice concentrates on toxic torts, complex personal injury claims, medical malpractice, and pharmaceutical and medical device defense. Prior to joining the firm, Attorney Craven served in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fourth Infantry Division (Mechanized) as a legal assistance attorney, trial counsel, and senior trial counsel. During that time, he represented soldiers, retirees, and family members in numerous criminal, civil, and administrative matters and also served as the division tax attorney. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Achievement Medal during his military service and is a recipient of Wiggin and Dana's Pro Bono Achievement Award. Attorney Craven is a member of the CBA House of Delegates, serving district 9, as well as a member of the Litigation Section and Connecticut Council of Bar Presidents.

Attorney Craven has been an integral part of his firm’s pro bono program for over 15 years, and in the past four years, he has averaged more than 175 hours annually on pro bono matters. He frequently represents clients referred by New Haven Legal Assistance to his firm and has successfully represented pro bono clients in evictions, Section 8 housing appeals, divorces, custody matters, temporary restraining orders, and partition actions.

As a former member of the Army Judge Advocate Generals Corps, he is also a longtime volunteer for Operation Standby, which provides pro bono family law assistance to military members serving overseas. He has also worked on numerous matters for Statewide Legal Services and Lawyers for Children America. In addition to his own extensive pro bono involvement, Attorney Craven also frequently supervises junior attorneys on their own pro bono matters, and offers his time to anyone in the firm with a difficult issue in a pro bono matter.

The Honorable Anthony V. DeMayo Pro Bono Award was presented to Craven 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.