Renee Dwyer

Mary Ann Connors is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Mary Ann, who practices law in Middletown, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mary Ann is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David M. S. Shaiken focuses his practice on commercial litigation in state and federal courts, probate and inheritance disputes, and bankruptcy litigation. For over 36 years, David has provided lean, highly strategic advocacy for businesses, fiduciaries, professionals, and heirs facing critical financial and legal turning points. By deliberately avoiding the administrative bloat and multi-lawyer overhead of massive firms, he ensures his clients receive direct, partner-level representation tai...

Cheryl L. Cassella is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Cheryl L., who practices law in Hartford, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Cheryl L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Michael J. Walsh is a founder and principal of the Walsh Woodard LLC law firm. He has dedicated his practice to the representation of individuals in personal injury actions. Mr. Walsh was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1987 and the New York Bar in 1988. He is also admitted to practice in the Federal District Court of Connecticut, the Eastern District Court of New York, the Southern District Court of New York and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. From 1988 through 1989, Mr. Walsh served...

Brion J. Kirsch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Brion J., who practices law in Hartford, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brion J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrew Ranks is a partner and trial attorney at Claggett, Sykes & Garza, LLC ("CSG"), in Connecticut. Originally from Gardiner, Maine, and the son of two teachers, he relocated to Connecticut and has spent nearly 20 years building a reputation for passionate advocacy on behalf of injured clients. Ranks began his legal career serving as a legal research clerk in the Judicial District of Danbury, where he performed legal research and writing duties for Connecticut Superior Court Judges. He ...

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, ...

Jonathan Kaplan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Jonathan, who practices law in Hartford, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jonathan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

From the onset of a legal career that has spanned three decades and yielded millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for injured people, John J. Houlihan, Jr. has always taken a personal interest in the concerns of his clients. Long after his cases are resolved, he often remains involved in the lives of his clients, considering it the highest honor that he receives a significant percentage of referrals both from former clients and other attorneys. Mr. Houlihan has obtained numerous mil...