Community mourns loss of respected defense attorney Diane ‘Cookie’ Polan
While readying this newsletter for print, we learned of the death of New Haven defense attorney Diane “Cookie” Polan.
In addition to being a friend to many PAR readers, Cookie made herself available to area peace and justice activists who engaged in civil disobedience and who needed legal advice. Personally as well as professionally, Cookie was a defender of justice and her passing is a great loss. Just a week before her death at age 65, she was awarded the 2016 Champion of Liberty Award by the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers. An annual award in her name was established to carry on her legacy.
Our deepest sympathy to her family, spouse Linda Barrett, daughters Maya and Rosa, and her sister Kelly.
See local remembrances of Cookie in other stories by following the links below.
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Tributes poured in from the legal community Friday as word spread that acclaimed defense attorney Diane “Cookie” Polan had died Friday morning at her home in New Haven.
Polan turned 65 in March. One month later, she learned she had an inoperable brain tumor.
Her death came just one week after the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers gave her the 2016 Champion of Liberty Award and created an annual Diane “Cookie” Polan Award. She was unable to attend that event.
Read more here: New Haven loses ‘Champion of Liberty’ with death of lawyer Diane ‘Cookie’ Polan
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From the New Haven Independent
Diane Polan was New Haven’s toughest “cookie” — and New Haven became a better place as a result.Polan, a crusading criminal defense and civil rights lawyer, died Friday morning from an inoperable brain tumor at the age of 65.Her nickname was “Cookie.” She was sweet, but she didn’t crumble easily. If at all.
Source: Civil Rights Champion Diane Polan Dies | New Haven Independent
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From the CT Law Tribune
by KAREN ALI, The Connecticut Law
Tribuneongtime criminal defense lawyer Diane “Cookie” Polan of New Haven, known by her colleagues and the rest of the bar as fierce yet kind, passed away Friday morning.
Polan, who turned 65 in March, was diagnosed in April with an inoperable brain tumor.
Last week, at the very bittersweet annual meeting of the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association, Polan was given a special award: The Champion of Liberty Award. It is so special that it’s not handed out every year, only when a recipient is deemed worthy enough.
Source: Recent ‘Champion of Liberty Award’ Winner Diane Polan Passes Away | Connecticut Law Tribune