Ian E. Bjorkman

Ed is partner in the private client and tax team at Withers Bergman LLP. He focuses on domestic and international private client matters. Ed provides legal advice on US and international estate planning, income maximization strategies, FLP and LLC planning, wealth preservation, business succession planning, international tax planning for entities and individuals, trust structures and estate administration. Ed often uses sophisticated domestic and offshore insurance strategies to solve client ...

John is a special counsel in the litigation and arbitration team at Withers Bergman LLP. He is a trial lawyer in the firm’s commercial litigation team. He practices in the areas of complex trust and probate litigation in state and federal courts, both at the trial and appellate levels. Outside of the courtroom, John advises directors, officers, shareholders, investors, trustees and beneficiaries on corporate governance and fiduciary issues and conduct in an effort to minimize litigation...

Rosemarie Paine is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Rosemarie, who practices law in New Haven, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rosemarie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kevin P. Walsh is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Kevin P., who practices law in North Haven, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kevin P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeffrey M. Donofrio has been practicing law in Connecticut since 1990. Jeff's practice is focused, by design, on 3 areas: construction law, municipal law and commercial litigation. In addition to his extensive expertise in the foregoing areas of the law, Jeff's responsiveness, passion and commitment to clients, ability to understand each client's unique needs, and his efficiency enable him to effectively serve the needs of many local municipalities and businesses of all sizes. Jeff's approach...

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

Russell J. Berkowitz, Esq. Russ Berkowitz is the firm’s founding partner and is widely known as one of the leading medical malpractice and personal injury attorneys in Connecticut, obtaining over $370 million in medical malpractice and personal injury damage awards on behalf of his clients over the course of his career. Russ has represented adults and children who have sustained catastrophic birth injuries , brain injuries , spinal cord injuries , surgical injuries , anesthesia injuries...

Amanda DeMatteis represents individuals in litigation, particularly employment, personal injury, and workers’ compensation. She represents employees in both state and federal courts in a wide variety of employment matters, including wrongful termination, discrimination (on the basis of pregnancy, sex, race, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion or national origin), sexual harassment, defamation, retaliation, and hostile work environment. Amand...

Attorney Meisenkothen graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1996 with a bachelor of arts in history and sociology with distinction in history. He graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1999 and joined ELSM in August of that year. Attorney Meisenkothen has focused his efforts on representing people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. He has personally handled hundreds of mesothelioma cases in the Connecticut court system. Attorney Meisenkothen co-chaired...

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.