Insight

Judge Anne C. Dranginis – Connecticut 2021 Lawyer of the Year

Appellate Practice Stamford, CT

Connecticut 2021 Lawyer of the Year
Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers

April 14, 2021 02:24 PM

After breaking barriers as the first woman Assistant State’s Attorney for the Connecticut Superior Court, leading the changes in family practice which provided for automatic orders upon the filing of dissolution or custody complaints, and retiring from one career to begin a new one as a Family Law attorney, it is evident why Judge Anne C. Dranginis was nominated by her peers and named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers for Appellate Practice in 2021.

Dranginis was also recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in Family Law which includes her emphasis has been on mediation and arbitration, trial strategy, and high-end matrimonial matters.

“It has been my honor to represent parties in a high-interest family matter, with discretion,” said Dranginis. “It is continually rewarding to meet people from all walks of life, and endeavor to assist them through a difficult transition, whether in mediation, or litigation.” As a leader in Family Law, Dranginis’ strengths which make her a great attorney are numerous. Her attention to detail, professionalism, and care for clients’ aspirations are key to her success. “A great mediator listens, as does a litigator,” said Dranginis. “Marshalling the facts, and understanding nuance is key. To adequately address the issues presented in any case, one must not only listen, but then verify claims with as many objective pieces of evidence available. Knowing what evidence one actually can use, and how to use it, is important as much in the settlement of a case, or in mediation, as it is in litigation."

“As a young Assistant State’s Attorney, I prosecuted a 13-week murder case, State v. Asherman. It was a circumstantial case, which required connecting small pieces of evidence, like a web, to capture a verdict. All cases require the command of the evidence, to draw the picture, to convince and to bring diverse responses together for a resolution. It is thoroughly fascinating to build a case, or to challenge what is being presented in mediation, to come to a result.”

Being accustomed to finding creative solutions to challenges has benefited Dranginis recently, with obstacles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Working from home, and trying at my age to be facile enough to do so, has given me many light moments in this dark time,” remarked Dranginis. “There is always the need for comic relief, especially if it is shared and enjoyed with colleagues. Our firm has great leadership, and we have weathered this storm successfully so far, and I expect wonderful things in the future. The practice of law has been affected by the pandemic, and we can be more flexible because of it. We have stayed true to our ethical responsibilities and to our dedication to our clients. And there is light on the horizon.”

Related Articles

Ensuring Legacies


by Justin Smulison

Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder’s litigation against a world-renowned higher education institution is expected to set a precedent impacting civil rights, copyright and social justice. Along with the types of cases the firm typically handles, they are willing to take on unusual and untested legal issues – an honor to the legacies of its longtime leaders.

Ensuring Legacies

Perspectives on Connecticut’s New Police Accountability Bill


by Megan Edmonds

Two Best Lawyers recognized attorneys weigh in on the impact of Connecticut’s new Police Accountability Bill.

Perspectives on Connecticut’s New Police Acco

Trending Articles

The 2024 Best Lawyers in Spain™


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Spain™ and the third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Spain™ for 2024.

Tall buildings and rushing traffic against clouds and sun in sky

Best Lawyers Expands Chilean 2024 Awards


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is pleased to announce the 14th edition of The Best Lawyers in Chile™ and the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Chile™, honoring the top lawyers and firms conferred on by their Chilean peers.

Landscape of city in Chile

The Best Lawyers in Spain™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

Announcing Spain's recognized lawyers for 2023.

Flag of Spain

Announcing The Best Lawyers in South Africa™ 2024


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is excited to announce the landmark 15th edition of The Best Lawyers in South Africa™ for 2024, including the exclusive "Law Firm of the Year" awards.

Sky view of South Africa town and waterways

Announcing the 2023 The Best Lawyers in America Honorees


by Best Lawyers

Only the top 5.3% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 29th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Gold strings and dots connecting to form US map

The Best Lawyers in Portugal™ 2024


by Best Lawyers

The 2024 awards for Portugal include the 14th edition of The Best Lawyers in Portugal™ and 2nd edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Portugal™.

City and beach with green water and blue sky

The Best Lawyers in Peru™ 2024


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is excited to announce the landmark 10th edition of The Best Lawyers in Peru, the prestigious award recognizing the country's lop legal talent.

Landscape of Peru city with cliffside and ocean

The Best Lawyers in South Africa™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers proudly announces lawyers recognized in South Africa for 2023.

South African flag

The Best Lawyers in Chile™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms in Chile.

White star in blue box beside white box with red box on bottom

The Best Lawyers in Colombia™ 2024


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 14th edition of The Best Lawyers in Colombia™ for 2024, which honors Colombia's most esteemed lawyers and law firms.

Cityscape of Colombia with blue cloudy sky above

Announcing the 2024 Best Lawyers in Puerto Rico™


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is proud to announce the 11th edition of The Best Lawyers in Puerto Rico™, honoring the top lawyers and firms across the country for 2024.

View of Puerto Rico city from the ocean

The 2023 Best Lawyers in Portugal™


by Best Lawyers

Announcing the elite group of lawyers recognized in Portugal for 2023.

Green and red Portuguese flag

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2023


by Best Lawyers

The third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ highlights the legal talent of lawyers who have been in practice less than 10 years.

Three arrows made of lines and dots on blue background

Unwrapping Shrinkflation


by Justin Smulison

Through the lens of the United States, we take a closer look at the global implication of companies downsizing products while maintaining and often raising prices.

Chocolate bar being unwrapped from foil

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue


by Best Lawyers

The 2021 Global Issue features top legal talent from the most recent editions of Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch worldwide.

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue

What the Courts Say About Recording in the Classroom


by Christina Henagen Peer and Peter Zawadski

Students and parents are increasingly asking to use audio devices to record what's being said in the classroom. But is it legal? A recent ruling offer gives the answer to a question confusing parents and administrators alike.

Is It Legal for Students to Record Teachers?