Dwight H. Merriam

As a trusted member of Harris Beach Murtha in Hartford, Connecticut, Alfred's practice is dedicated to Trusts and Estates. He engages in comprehensive estate planning, estate administration, and probate litigation. His role extends to serving as a fiduciary, acting as an executor, trustee, or conservator, and providing counsel for conservatorships. Alfred is also known for his advisory work with private foundations on governance and compliance. Alfred is the managing partner of our Hartford o...

James E. Miller is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. James E., who practices law in Chester, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert B. Fawber is a Principal in Cummings & Lockwood's Private Clients Group and is based in the West Hartford office. His primary areas of practice are estate and charitable planning, estate settlement, trust administration and residential real estate transactions. Prior to joining Cummings & Lockwood, Bob practiced real estate, estate planning and general business law in the Hartford area from 1975 to 1996. While at Georgetown Law, Bob served in the United States Army Reserve, Jud...

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.

Marcel Bernier has been involved in corporate and limited liability company law for over 40 years, assisting clients with navigating intricate legal landscapes to accomplish their goals. Situated in Hartford, Connecticut, Marcel is part of Harris Beach Murtha, where he acts as general counsel for numerous businesses. His practice includes offering guidance on forming new business entities, handling acquisitions, sales, mergers, reorganizations, deferred compensation plans, phantom equity plan...

Rick Costantini focuses his legal practice on commercial and residential real estate, land use, zoning, and commercial transactions. Rick represents prominent developers, landlords, tenants, and lenders in transactions including acquisitions, dispositions, leases, and financing. He also represents national hospitality groups, local businesses, municipalities, and individuals, who require counsel related to real estate and business matters. An experienced transactional lawyer, Rick structures ...

Attorney J. Patten Brown, III was born in Greenville, Mississippi and lived most of his young life in Guatemala City, Guatemala. He holds a B.A. in History and Political Science from Ole Miss. His Juris Doctor was awarded by the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University. In school, he was a member of several social, athletic, and professional organizations from the Pi Kappa Alpha social fraternity to his participation in ROTC. After his military service, he began working for a lar...

Suzy Walsh-Brown is dedicated to supporting clients in Hartford, Connecticut, with a focus on Trusts and Estates. Her legal practice at Harris Beach Murtha encompasses estate planning, tax planning, particularly for families with children who have special needs, elder law, estate and trust administration, as well as trust modifications and trustee changes. Suzy is frequently invited to share her insights nationally through major speaking engagements and publications. Some of her notable appea...

Johanna Zelman’s unique background in health and mental care and in school law results in highly competent, in-depth and knowledgeable advice and representation for her clients. While she has represented a wide variety of private and public sector employers from various industries, Johanna has a specific strength and hands-on experience in the health and mental health fields. Prior to her legal career, she worked for Harvard University’s affiliate hospitals, where she had direct c...

Holly L. Cini is a principal in the Hartford, Connecticut, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Holly regularly defends clients in employment-related litigation, including whistleblower claims, general retaliation matters, employment discrimination and harassment claims and ADA and FMLA litigation in all forums ranging from trial courts to administrative agencies to the state and federal appellate courts. Holly has extensive experience in every phase of litigation, from discovery to trial to appeal. ...