James T. Shearin took office as the 101st president of the Connecticut Bar Association for the 2024-25 bar year. Shearin said he wants to encourage the bar to be advocates for the judicial branch of government in a time of distrust.

Shearin joined the bar association fresh out of law school in 1986. He said that throughout his career the Connecticut Bar Association has been a key source of education and a place to get to know his colleagues.