Leander A. Dolphin
she/her/hers
Managing Partner
Leander A. Dolphin is managing partner of the firm.
Leander is a partner in the School Law Practice Group. In private practice and as former vice president of human resources and general counsel for the Girl Scouts of Connecticut, Leander has dedicated her career to advising educational institutions and organizations that foster the development of children, youth and young adults. An effective litigator and counselor, she draws on her dispute-resolution experience to help clients identify shared goals and find common ground with staff, parents, students and community stakeholders.
Leander advises universities, colleges, public school districts, independent schools, and other public- and private-sector clients on the full range of education and employment matters. She also works with clients to develop and implement effective non-discrimination policies and to address teacher, staff and student discipline concerns, confidentiality and privacy issues in education, and special education disputes, among other areas.
Credentials
Education
- Howard University School of Law, J.D., 2004
- Wesleyan University, B.A., 1999, high honors
Bar Admissions
- Connecticut, 2004
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, District of CT
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Distinctions
- American Bar Foundation: Fellow
- Connecticut Bar Foundation: James W. Cooper Fellow
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®: Employment Law - Management (2023-2025)
- Listed as a Connecticut Super Lawyer®: Schools & Education (2024)
- Hartford Business Journal, “Power 50 List” (2022-2024)
- Corporate Counsel Business Journal's 50 Women to Watch (2023)
- Attorney of the Year, Connecticut Law Tribune (2022)
- Savoy Magazine, "Most Influential Black Lawyers" (2022)
- New Haven Biz, Power 25-Class of 2022
- Hartford Business Journal, "Top 25 Women in Business" (2022)
- National Bar Association: "40 Under 40 Nation's Best Advocates" Award (2017)
- Listed as a Connecticut Super Lawyer Rising Star®: Schools & Education (2013-2017)
- Connecticut Law Tribune, New Leader in the Law (2014)
- Connecticut Law Tribune, Lawyers of Color - High Achievers (2011)
Teaching Positions
- Quinnipiac University School of Law: former Adjunct Professor, Education Law
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association, Section of Litigation and Section of Labor and Employment Law
- National Bar Association
- Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA), Board of Directors (current)
- Connecticut Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section
- National Association of College and University Attorneys, Member, Web Page Legal Resources Committee (2019–2020)
- National School Boards Association, Council of School Attorneys
- Connecticut School Attorneys Council
- George W. Crawford Black Bar Association, Member, Board of Directors (2007–2008), Secretary (2005–2007), Advisory Board
- International Women’s Forum of Connecticut
Community Involvement
- Connecticut Judicial Selection Committee, Commissioner and Chair
- Connecticut Commission on Judicial Compensation, Commissioner (2020)
- The Ethel Walker School: Board of Trustees, Executive Committee
- The Governor's Prevention Partnership: Board Member (2012-2018)
- The Lawyer's Collaborative for Diversity, Inc. (LCD): Associates Advisory Committee
- Hartt School for Performing Arts: Board of Trustees (2010-2013)
- Girl Scouts of Connecticut: Fund Development Committee (2009-2010); Girl Scouts of the USA: National Delegate (Girl Scouts of Connecticut Delegation) (2008)