Yale Sappern, J.D. served as First Assistant Clerk and Supervisor of the Family Division in New Haven Superior Court from 1966-1997. Known as the “most gentle of men,” he was a distinguished member of the Connecticut State Task Force Against Family Violence and widely admired throughout the legal community. His legacy of civility and compassion lives on through the New Haven County Bar Association’s annual Sappern Civility Award, which honors lawyers and court employees who embody his exceptional character.

Yale Sappern’s vision began taking shape in 1993 when he established a program utilizing law students to help victims of domestic abuse navigate the complexities of the Family Court system. Following his death in 1997, friends and colleagues created the Yale Sappern Memorial Fund to continue his important work and memorialize his contributions to the Family Court system.

The Fund’s Impact:

• Over $500,000 contributed to Quinnipiac University School of Law
• Sponsors 40-60 student fellows in the Connecticut Court system annually
• Fellows assist more than a thousand families annually
• Currently expanding to the Meriden region

Fellows receive stipends for their work, making this both a learning opportunity and a paid fellowship experience for Quinnipiac law students. The fellowship stipends are made possible largely through the annual Yale Sappern Memorial Fundraising Dinner, which brings together the legal community to support this vital program and ensure students can dedicate their time to serving families in need.

The Sappern Fellowship Program is open to Quinnipiac University School of Law students seeking meaningful hands-on experience in family law while serving those who need it most.