Russell S. Palmer

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...

For nearly three decades, the emphasis of Mr. Escalera’s practice has been labor and employment law and litigation. Initially, Mr. Escalera served with the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps for nine years where he engaged in extensive criminal and civil litigation. Mr. Escalera was last stationed at the Pentagon where he acted as lead counsel for the Army Litigation Division defending the Department of the Army in employment discrimination suits brought by civilian employees in ...

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

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...

Lee D. Hoffman is chair of Pullman & Comley, LLC and prior to that was co-chair of the firm's Real Estate, Energy and Environmental Law Department. Lee litigates and advises clients in the areas of energy and utility matters, environmental law, and toxic tort suits. Lee has been responsible for the permitting and siting of some of the most complex energy projects in southern New England. His clients have developed some of the largest commercial scale solar projects in New England, as well...

Jon T. Kukucka is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Family Law, Family Law Arbitration and Family Law Mediation. Jon T., who practices law in Hartford, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jon T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

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

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...

Mike focuses his practice on providing legal guidance to public and private sector employers in managing all aspects of the employment relationship. Mike litigates cases in state and federal courts and has argued numerous cases before the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the Connecticut Appellate Court, and the Connecticut Supreme Court. He also frequently appears before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights & Opportunities, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination...