Daniel I. "Dan" Papermaster

Andrew Garza is a co-founder and the lead trial attorney at Claggett, Sykes & Garza, LLC ("CSG"), in Connecticut. He grew up in public housing, bartended his way through college and law school, and opened his own law firm in 2013. He has tried cases to 7-, 8-, and 9-figure jury verdicts as lead counsel. In 2022, he obtained a $100 million verdict on behalf of a paralyzed man and his wife, which was the largest verdict in Connecticut history. Garza and his team speak nationally to plaintif...

Dana M. Hrelic is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Dana M., who practices law in Hartford, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dana M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

As chair of the firm’s Real Estate and Land Use Department, Gary B. O'Connor's practice focuses on real estate, land use and environmental matters. He has extensive experience in all aspects of complex industrial and commercial real estate transactions, particularly those impacted by environmental conditions. Gary is experienced in the fields of regulatory compliance and permitting. He has worked closely with regulators from DEEP, EPA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local agencies on ...

Mike Spagnola focuses his practice on solving difficult and complicated labor and employment problems for management clients. Mike represents employers exclusively in connection with all aspects of labor and employment law, and in particular, litigation and preventive counsel. He has appeared on behalf of clients in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies, for cases relating to discrimination, retaliation, harassment, whistleblowing, wrongful discharge, wage and hour law, ...

Heather J. Rhoades is Chairman of Cummings & Lockwood's Private Clients Group and is based in the West Hartford office. She practices in the areas of estate planning, estate settlement, trust administration and charitable planning. Heather is a member of the Firm's National Charitable Planning Group.

A partner at Shipman & Goodwin LLP, and a top-rated lawyer based in Hartford, Connecticut, William J. Ronalter has been licensed to practice law in the state since 1991 serving Hartford, New Haven, Fairfield, Middlesex, Litchfield, New London, Tolland, and Windham Counties. Serving as the chair of the firm’s catastrophic injury section, he has committed his practice to serving those injured, or who have lost their loved ones to an accident or as a result of the reckless actions of o...

Michael Kenney is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs. Michael, who practices law in Hartford, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Larry Shipman has dedicated his career to providing thoughtful and thorough legal representation to his clients. He is a practicing attorney at Shipman, Shaiken & Schwefel, LLC, where he passionately handles cases involving real estate, land use matters and commercial transactions. Larry is committed to helping his clients navigate complex legal matters with clarity and resolve. Drawing from his extensive experience, Larry approaches each case with an individualized strategy that reflects...

Allison P. Dearington ​is a principal in the Hartford, Connecticut, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Her practice is focused on employment litigation, including class and collective action defense, and preventive counseling. Allison represents employers in state and federal courts, before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and in arbitration. She defends a variety of employment claims including discrimination, harassment, ret...

Paul L. Bourdeau is a Principal in Cummings & Lockwood's Private Clients Group and is based in the West Hartford office. He joined the Firm in 1980 and was the founder of the West Hartford office. Paul advises clients in the areas of estate planning, tax efficient wealth transfer, estate settlement, trust administration, business succession planning, taxation and charitable giving. In addition, he has extensive experience serving as an Executor and Trustee. His clients include corporate e...