Practice Areas

I have won appeals in the Connecticut Supreme Court and Connecticut Appellate Court and in the United States Courts of Appeals for the Second, Third, Sixth, and Eleventh Circuits.

In 2025, and without having to file suit, obtained $700,000 settlement for Connecticut manufacturer overcharged by utility’s faulty meter over a course of years (parties confidential).

In 2025, after service of complaint but without having to return writ to court, represented a commercial landlord in successful effort to compel tenant to rescind unjustified repudiation of commercial lease.

In the Connecticut federal district court, represented a tenant sued by landlord after early termination of a 65,000 SF industrial lease. Obtained the dismissal of a $3 million prejudgment remedy obtained by misrepresentations to courts. Vesta Liberty St., LLC v. ELX, LLC, No. 3:21-cv-1719 (SRU), 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 178463 (D. Conn. Sep. 30, 2022). After a bench trial, obtained a defense judgment on the landlord’s affirmative claims, and a counterclaim judgment based on a finding that the landlord was overcompensated for its purported damages. Vesta Liberty St., LLC v. ELX, LLC, No. 3:21-cv-1719 (SRU), 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 199271 (D. Conn. Nov. 1, 2024), reconsideration denied, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 51202 (D. Conn. March 20, 2025).

In the Connecticut federal district court and Second Circuit, in a putative class action based on Delaware tort and contract law, part of defense team that defeated all claims seeking to compel former United Technologies entities to retroactively adjust stock conversion formulae. Darnis v. Raytheon Techs. Corp., No. 22-2861-cv, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 20038 (2d Cir. Aug. 3, 2023).

In 2024, confidentially represented a Connecticut town councilor who was served with a defamation lawsuit from a member of the opposing party. After investigation and presentation of facts and controlling law to plaintiff’s counsel—and no payment of any consideration—lawsuit was never filed.

In 2022-2023, confidentially represented a major hedge fund manager who was threatened to be the subject of false and defamatory allegations in a widely-publicized nonfiction book. After investigation and presentation of facts to author and publisher, client was never named or identified in book, which became a New York Times best-seller.

In a Connecticut Superior Court cyberfraud case involving questions of first impression under UCC Article 4A, won opposing motions for summary judgment, leading to decision finding that bank was liable to my client as a matter of law for failing to detect and prevent an international email spoofing scheme. Precision Comp. Servs. v. Newtown Sav. Bank, No. AANCV186029468S, 2021 Conn. Super. LEXIS 1817 (Super. Ct. Oct. 26, 2021)

In the Complex Litigation Docket of the Hartford Superior Court, defended a first-tier mechanical subcontractor in a dispute with its subcontractor arising from a $2.6 million contract for renovations to a major hospital. After my client’s counterclaims survived summary judgment and cross-examination of all of plaintiff’s witnesses at trial, opposing party withdrew claims mid-trial in a settlement representing total abandonment of their claim theory and a payment of a portion of my client’s attorney’s fees.

In an AAA Arbitration in Fairfield County, defeated damages and attorney’s fees claims against individual business owner arising from alleged breaches of an asset purchase agreement governed by Delaware law.

In a Hartford Superior Court jury trial, obtained verdict and all damages claimed in a contract theory legal malpractice claim.

Part of a team that obtained total defense verdict for the FDIC in a jury trial in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland under the Family & Medical Leave Act. Successfully created first impression FMLA jury instructions upheld by the Fourth Circuit.

In a jury trial in Fairfield Superior Court arising from an accident on I-95 involving the destruction of a show car, obtained defense verdict for General Motors in a case alleging that the towing vehicle’s axle was defectively manufactured.

In United States District Court for District of Connecticut, represented Connecticut-based manufacturer in lawsuit against its global manufacturing customer arising from customer’s refusal to perform under a long-term supply agreement for high-performance technical film. After claims survived summary judgment and jury selection, defendant paid client its settlement demand.

In action in Stamford Superior Court, represented Chief Investment Officer wrongfully terminated from a company managing assets in excess of $1 billion. After depositions of defendants’ key personnel, obtained settlement for client. When defendant failed to make final payment under settlement, obtained expedited Audobon judgment against corporate defendant and company’s CEO. When CEO relocated to Palm Beach, commenced legal action in Florida (through local counsel), commenced asset discovery in Palm Beach and soon thereafter obtained funds from CEO individually.

After 10 days of highly technical hearings in Hartford Superior Court on an injunction action brought under the Connecticut Uniform Trade Secrets Act and CUTPA, defeated attempt by an aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) company to restrain client from working for new employer.

In AAA arbitration, represented a family-owned business process outsourcing business in a dispute with a Fortune 100 insurance company under a joint venture agreement for the 40-year license of patented business process technology. After contentious document and deposition discovery and hearings, defeated counterparty’s attempt to dissolve the joint venture.

In bench trial in Waterbury Superior Court, obtained compensatory and punitive damages pursuant to CUTPA for French client defrauded in purchase of investment property.

Selected additional cases not cited above:

Clinton v. Aspinwall, 352 Conn. 597 (2025); Rocco v. Shaikh, 184 Conn. App. 786 (2018); Eastern Adhesives, Inc. v. Scapa North America, Inc., No. 07-2590, 2008 U.S. App. LEXIS 26973 (3d Cir. Dec. 31, 2008); Mahaffey v. Detroit Newspaper Agency, 166 F.3d 1214 (6th Cir. Oct. 9, 1998), aff’g 969 F. Supp. 446 (E.D. Mich. 1997); Stattin v. Resolution Trust Corp., 74 F.3d 1252 (11th Cir. 1995), aff’g without op. 883 F. Supp. 678 (M.D. Fla. 1995); Scapa Tapes N. Am. v. Avery Dennison Corp., 384 F. Supp. 2d 544 (D. Conn. 2005); Alexander v. FBI, 186 F.R.D. 144 (D.D.C. 1999); Rhoads v. Federal Deposit Ins. Corp., 956 F. Supp. 1239 (D. Md. 1997), aff’d in part and vacated in part, 257 F.3d 373 (4th Cir. 2001); Clinton v. Aspinwall, 2014 Conn. Super LEXIS 447 (Hartford J.D., Feb. 24, 2014); Altmann v. Halpert, 2012 Conn. Super LEXIS 1340 (Waterbury J.D., May 22, 2014); AGC, Inc. v. Baillargeon, 2011 Conn. Super. LEXIS 549 (Hartford, J.D., March 9, 2011).

Represent and advise nearly 100 year-old multigenerational family business which owns several properties in West Hartford Center. Scope of representation includes corporate governance advice, lease negotiations, and working with local government to achieve outcomes that benefit the Town, its residents, and business stakeholders.

Advised provider/reseller of computer-related hardware and services that was a creditor in WeWork bankruptcy. Successfully negotiated and crafted contract to provide administrative priority to postpetition charges under Bankruptcy Code (including 11 U.S.C. § 503(b)(1)(A) and 11 U.S.C. § 507(a)(2)) and other protections against nonpayment, protecting multimillion dollar source of revenue.

Represented musician in separation negotiations with a band that he founded and helped grow to the point where it was selling out Radio City Music Hall and Red Rocks. Negotiated comprehensive settlement agreement addressing compensation, reputational rights and confidentiality, and mechanical and performance royalties.

Represented a provider of SaaS / ASP services from its early-stages to acquisition and market leadership by successfully negotiating hundreds of technology-related contracts. Counterparties included multiple DJIA/NASDAQ components and Fortune 100 companies (including industry leaders in banking, industrial manufacturing, telecommunications, computer operating systems and software and e-commerce), government sponsored enterprises, the law departments of two of the five most populous counties in the United States (Los Angeles and San Diego), and business entities (including banks, industrial conglomerates and an airline) domiciled outside the United States. Negotiated issues and drafted contract language concerning allocations of intellectual property rights, service level agreements and remedies, confidentiality, data privacy, security audits, exculpation and limitations of liability, indemnity, and cross-border transfers of personal information.

Have represented an artist/author published by Random House and Rizzoli in multiple book contract negotiations and in matters to protect client’s intellectual property and contractual rights. Represented client in reaching an agreement with a Condé Nast publication that placed client’s name on masthead.

Represented creator of Bridgeport Fuel Cell Park concept in securing an option contract with anti-circumvention provisions for the sale of property upon which cutting edge fuel cell park has been constructed.

Represented original developer of $160MM renewable energy project in southeast Connecticut in contentious discussions with lenders and lienholders concerning whether and how much client would be paid from project.

Represented pre-bankruptcy General Motors in property damage cases throughout Connecticut as local counsel for Jenner & Block.

As local counsel for Texas law firms, successfully defended an Enron officer and director in action brought by Attorney General Blumenthal to recover $220 million invested by Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority. Conceived defense and discovery strategy that led CRRA to dismiss voluntarily all claims against clients without clients having to pay anything.

As local counsel for Akin Gump, represented distributors of beverages (including Coca Cola, Pepsi, Polar, and Adirondack Beverages) in constitutional challenge to Connecticut bottle deposit law. Proceedings involved intervention in Superior Court proceedings and appeal to Connecticut Supreme Court.

Regularly represent parties in out-of-state litigation seeking to obtain discovery from Connecticut parties, including in class actions. Services include locating witnesses and documents, preparing Connecticut-compliant discovery documents, and bringing actions in state and federal court to compel compliance with discovery.

Have represented clients in investigations by state and federal governments, by “special counsel” appointed by government agencies, and in private party lawsuits related to alleged criminal activity.

Represented certain White House personnel in FBI interviews in the Whitewater / Monica Lewinsky investigation.

Represented a reporter in an action investigating the Clinton White House “Filegate” controversy and obtained sanctions against investigating attorney when his questioning exceeded promised scope.

Have represented witnesses in Connecticut in investigations related to alleged “revolving door” violations at Connecticut Innovations, Ponzi schemes, wire and mail fraud involving thefts of public funds, and alleged violations of election law.

For certain individuals, families and businesses, provide prompt, prudent, and discreet attention to legal matters, including reviewing contracts and responding on client’s behalf to legal inquiries from media, government agencies, and private parties.

Regularly assist clients in resolving disputes with business counterparties, including suppliers, investors, and partners.

Regularly investigate legal issues related to counterparties, including potential business partners and investment opportunities.