November 19, 2004

HELPING CHILDREN OF CONNECTICUT READ, ONE BOOK AT A TIME

Newtown Bee

New Haven- New Haven law firm Stratton Faxon donated more than 200 books to New Haven area high schools on November 10.

“We believe that Connecticut’s youth should have access to ideas that challenge them to think critically, encourage them to understand complex issues, and help them to engage in civil and community causes,” said Newtown resident Joel Faxon, explaining the rationale behind the firm’s book donation program. Mr. Faxon and Michael Stratton are the law firm’s partners.

The book donation event was held at Hill Regional High School in New Haven and opened by Stratton Faxon associate attorney Michael Denison, who explained to a group of business and law students that businesses and individuals have a responsibility to give back to the community.

“As lawyers, we work very hard on behalf of our clients, individuals who have been grievously wronged, to bring about justice,” said Mr. Denison. “And as citizens of this community we work just as hard to make a difference. I hope that you live, learn, and dream big dreams, and that the stories in these books inspire you to be the best you can be.”

Following a formal presentation, students were invited to browse the books and chose one before the balance were donated to New Haven area high schools.

The books selected for the Stratton Faxon Book Donation program were Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Ox-Bow Incident by Walter Van Tilberg Clark, A Measure of Endurance: The Unlikely Triumph of Steven Sharp by William Mishler, Compulsion by Meyer Levin, Anatomy of A Murder by Robert Traver, and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

Students also had the option of selecting a copy of Judgment At Nuremberg, a video that presents a fictionalized account of the war crimes trial of judges and prosecutors who served the Nazis.

Rose Coggins, the principal of Hill Regional Career High School, and representatives from New Haven’s Metropolitan Business School and the New Haven Academy were on hand to receive books for their institutions.

Dr. Reginald Mayo, superintendent of schools for New Haven, thanked the firm for its commitment to education. He specifically recognized Mr. Faxon and Mr. Stratton for fostering civic and community-oriented values and providing needed resources for the students.

Stratton Faxon gives ten percent of each fee on every case back to the community for charitable causes.