Catherine G. Roraback
115 Main Street
Canaan, Connecticut 06018-0935
Tel: (860) 824-5121
Fax: (860) 824-7745
Education
B.A. Mount Holyoke College 1941
L.L.B. Yale University Law School 1948
Professional Legal Experience
Roraback Law Office
Canaan, CT
New Haven, CT
General' practice including civil and criminal litigation, appellate practice,
women's rights, domestic relations, community issues, civil liberties and
civil rights; now semi-retired.
Planned Parenthood of Connecticut
New Haven, CT
General Counsel
.
1955 - present
1948 — 1981
1957-1977
Town of North Canaan
Canaan, CT
Town Counsel
.
Teaching
Harvard Law School
Cambridge, MA
Lecturer, Trial Practice Seminar
1980s
University of Connecticut School of Law
Hartford, CT
Lecturer, Trial Practice
1980s
Prior Employ,
United States Department of Agriculture
Analyst, Division of Program Surveys (Public Opinion Surveys)
1942-1943
War Labor Board Detroit and Washington, D.C.
Disputes Officer
1943-1945
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Bar Associations and Legal Organizations (Past and Present)
Connecticut Bar Association
New Haven County Bar Association
New Haven County Junior Bar Association (Past Chair)
Litchfield County Bar Association
National-Lawyers Guild (President 197-1-1973)—
Litchfield County Association of Women Attorneys (Past Vice President)
American Trial Lawyers Association
Connecticut TrialLawyers Association
Oliver Ellsworth Inns of Court
Connecticut Bar Foundation James W. Cooper Life Fellow
Bar Admissions
Connecticut (1948)
U. S. Supreme Court (1961)
U. S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit (1962)
U. S. District Court, District of Connecticut (1949)
U. S. District Court, Northern District of Mississippi (1964)
Selected Professional and Community Involvement
.
American Civil Liberties Union
Board Member 1973 7.. 1985
National Advisory Council 1985 present
Connecticut Civil Liberties Union (originally New Haven Civil Liberties Council)
Co-founder 1949 New Haven Civil Liberties Council
Board Member 1949 — present
Past Chairman sic}
Connecticut Committee for the Celebration of International Women's Year, 1977
Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund
Past Board Member
Past Treasurer
Music Mountain, Inc.
Past Board Member
Twin Lakes Association
Past Board Member
Past President
Women's Emergency Services
Board Member 1992 —1996
Treasurer 1994 — 1995
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The Canaan. Foundation
Founder 1999
Board Member 1999 - present
Northwest Center for
Servicesand Mental_Health
Board Member 1999 - 2005
Treasurer 2001 - 2005
Foundation for Community Health
Board Member 2003 — present
Vice Chair 2003 — present
Connecticut Bar Foundation James W. Cooper Fellows
Interviewee 2004 (Oral History of Connecticut Women in the Legal Profession)
Selected Awards
2005 National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association Award •
(In recognition of legal role in Griswold vs. Connecticut on 40thanniversary of case)
2001 Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame Inductee
1999 Connecticut Bar Association Charles J. Parker Legal Services Award
(In recognition of role as mentor for women attorneys,.leading 'civil rights advocate) •
1998 Connecticut.NOW Elizabeth Blackwell Award
(For effective advocacy for women's rights)
1996 Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund Maria Miller Stewart Award
(As role model in advancing the cause of women)
1993 Sotortomist International of Hartford Award ,
(Women Helping Women Certificate and Woman of Distinction Certificate)
1992 Housatonic Valley Regional High School
(Community Award of Merit)
1992 Connecticut Law Tribune Award
(Distiiriguishedsevice to theltateBar)
1987 National Lawyers Guild, Connecticut Chapter Award
(Leadership in the People's Struggle for Justice)
1985 South Central Connecticut Chapter of the National Organization of. Women - Susan B.
Anthony Award
(Sery ice and dedication to women's equality)
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1 981 Mount Holyoke College
(Honorary Doctor of Laws)
.
1980
Connecticut National Abortion Rights Action League Award
(Annual award named after Catherine Roraback in honor of her outstanding defense of
abortion rights)
1977 Planned Parenthood League of Connecticut Award
(In honor of contributions to Griswold vs. Connecticut and as counsel to the League)
1976 United Nations Association Award
(Designated as one of six international women of the year in Connecticut)
1975 Connecticut Bar Association Award
(Outstanding trial lawyer's advocate of women's causes)
1967 'New Haven Community
(Dinner honoring Catherine G. Roraback)
1965 Planned Parenthood League of Connecticut Award .
(Dedicated service to the League)
Selected Legal Activities
1950s Advised community groups in various civil and criminal matters.
1955 "Defended citizen in denaturalization case during McCarthy era, U.S. vs. Kaplan.
1955
1950s
Defended leaders of Connecticut's Communist 'Party prosecuted under Smith Act, U.S. vs.
Silverman.
Defended pacifists who demonstrated against nuclear submarines in New London,
• Connecticut.
1958 - Co-counsel in litigation challenging Connecticut's statute which prohibited use
of contraceptives; Poe vs. Ullman (367 U.S. 497, 1961) and Griswold vs. Connecticut, (381
1965
U.S. 479, 1965) (constitutional right to privacy established; birth control legalized in
Connecticut).
1973
Lead counsel in litigation challenging Connecticut's anti-abortion statutes, Abele vs. Markle
a.k.a. Women vs. Connecticut, (statutes found unconstitutional).
1970s Co-counsel in litigation seeking Medicaid payment for abortions, Roe vs. Maher.
1960s Represented black community activist organizations; assisted tenants seeking relief from
substandard housing conditions; first "rent strike" in Connecticut.
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1964
Provided legal assistance to civil rights workers in Mississippi; encouraged Connecticut
attorneys to participate.
1960s Helped organize and sponsor New Haven Draft Information Center which provided
information on selective service status and obligations.
1960s - Represented conscientious objectors prosecuted for violating selective service
law; see U.S. vs. Bornemann, 424 F.2d 1343 (rdCir. 1970).
1970
1967
Defended individuals arrested during Connecticut welfare demonstration.
1969 - Defended members of New Haven Black Panthers on conspiracy, kidnapping and
murder charges.
1971
1970s Represented Native American woman incase arising on Wounded Knee reservation.
1970s Defended pacifists who demonstrated against nuclear submarines in New London,
Connecticut,
1970s Spoke on litigation topics at various Women 'in the Law Conferences (series of annual
conferences which addressed feminism in the law).
1980s Served on Task Force on Legal Rights of Governor's Committee on Status of Women and
participated in the Governor's conference on Human Rights and Opportunities.
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