Damian K. Gunningsmith

Floyd J. Dugas, Senior Partner with Berchem Moses PC, heads up the firm’s Labor & Employment practice. He represents towns, cities and boards of education throughout Connecticut, often as General Counsel. Floyd is a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment and Education Law departments. He represents both private and public sector employers. Floyd is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and the Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law. He has been involved in...

Alfred, of counsel at Harris Beach Murtha, is a former managing partner of Murtha Cullina, prior to its combination with Harris Beach, and also served as chair of the Regulatory practice. Al practices in the areas of environmental and municipal law. He has extensive experience in all areas of environmental law. He regularly advises clients with respect to regulatory compliance issues and in connection with environmental issues associated with real estate and corporate transactions. Al has wri...

Clifford A. Merin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Clifford A., who practices law in New Haven, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Clifford A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Heather Berchem offers guidance to nursing homes, assisted living communities, CCRCs, and other providers on various regulatory, compliance, risk management, and reimbursement matters. Her legal services encompass assistance with regulatory compliance, survey and certification matters; IDRs and IIDRs; ALJ appeals; licensure and ownership changes; certificates of need; Medicare and Medicaid audits and appeals; HIPAA compliance; security breach investigations and reporting; contract and policy ...

Based in New Haven, Connecticut, Bruce McDermott is a dedicated attorney at Harris Beach Murtha, proficient in Energy Law and Utilities Law. His practice involves various aspects of energy, public utility, environmental, and infrastructure law, including litigation, transactional work, regulatory representation, and client counseling. Bruce supports clients with state and federal environmental compliance and enforcement proceedings. He provides insightful guidance on energy and environmental ...

Craig Dickinson helps his management clients pinpoint and avoid potential legal risks in their workplaces, and works with them to efficiently and cost effectively resolve issues when they do arise. Craig represents organizations in a range of business sectors, including hospital and healthcare, financial services, retail, restaurant and hospitality, distribution and logistics, and manufacturing and technology. He has in-depth experience handling harassment, discrimination, and retaliation cla...

Patrick T. Clendenen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Construction. Patrick T., who practices law in New Haven, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patrick T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Attorney Studer is a Senior Partner with Berchem Moses PC who practices in the areas of land use and commercial real estate law. He graduated magna cum laude from Stonehill College in 1972 and cum laude from Suffolk University Law School in 1977 where he was a member of the Suffolk University Law Review. Mr. Studer’s practice concentrates on the representation of municipalities and developers in all aspects of the local zoning and land use permitting process, as well as the permitting p...

Robert M. Frost, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Robert M., who practices law in New Haven, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Attorney Robert (Bob) L. Berchem is the founding partner of Berchem Moses PC. Bob serves as President of the firm and Chair of its Business Services Department. He graduated with honors from Fairfield University in 1962, and from Villanova Law School in 1965 where he was first in his class and the editor of the Villanova Law Review. Following law school, Bob clerked for the Honorable William H. Timbers, Chief Judge of the United States District Court. After working for Judge Timbers in both t...