For most of our 178-year history, Robinson+Cole has actively cultivated relationships and supported initiatives that enrich our communities. That history is reflected in our commitment to furthering a culture of collaboration and inclusion, which extends itself to our vital engagement as good corporate citizens with those communities-at-large in New England, New York, the mid-Atlantic, Florida and California.
We are especially proud of the firm’s many employees who contribute their time, enthusiasm and fundraising skills to help serve the interests of numerous organizations and activities. We are pleased to note that more than 120 of the firm’s lawyers are active in such endeavors, filling nearly 400 leadership positions among nearly 300 community, professional, and other non-profit organizations.
Business Litigation Group lawyer Dan Brody was among the panelists that presented during a special program organized by the University of Connecticut School of Law’s Family Law Association and Women Law Students’ Association hosted in recognition of domestic violence awareness month. The panel was hosted at the Law School on October 26, 2023. Dan has been co-facilitating R+C’s Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) efforts since his first year at the firm, and is the primary point of contact for referrals from the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV).
Employee Benefits + Compensation Group lawyer Virginia E. McGarrity was elected to serve as Secretary of The Connecticut Forum Board of Directors. Founded in 1992, The Connecticut Forum is a one-of-a-kind 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Connecticut and beyond with live, unscripted panel discussions among renowned experts and celebrities. Forums are presented four times per year to audiences at The Bushnell theater in Hartford. Robinson+Cole is a proud sponsor of the 2023-24 season featuring, among others, Academy Award-nominated documentarian Ken Burns, former U.S. Representative Liz Cheney, and James Beard Award winner Chef Marcus Samuelsson. Learn more about The Connecticut Forum and its upcoming season.
On July 27, 2023, Robinson+Cole recognized 18 lawyers and staff members for their pro bono work, mentoring, community service and efforts to promote a healthy, diverse and inclusive work environment as part of the firm's annual awards.
The Pro Bono Award is presented by the firm’s Pro Bono Committee and honors individuals for their outstanding commitment to Robinson+Cole’s pro bono initiative. This year’s honorees were Dan Brody, Amanda Phillips, Land Use Analyst Chris Schaut and Philadelphia Office Coordinator Maranda Kenny.
The Robinson+Cole Mentor of the Year Award recognizes outstanding guidance, support, and encouragement of fellow lawyers and staff in their pursuit of professional growth. This year’s award was presented to Arial Zhou, Peter Meggers, Jessica Bardi and Finance Accounting Specialist Lauren Moore.
In addition, Dana Horton, Trevor Bradley, IT Support Analyst Jason Cap and Immigration Paralegal Alexandra Collins were all recognized with the Community Service Award for their continued volunteerism.
The 2023 Robinson+Cole's Diversity and Inclusion Awardees included John Mutchler, Mallori Thompson and Senior Attorney Career Development Manager Drew Collins, who were honored for their ongoing dedication and support of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
As a result of the high level of engagement in activities as the firm, the Wellbeing Award was established with Kathryn Rattigan, Business Litigation Paralegal Michelle Finnegan and Benefits Manager Julianna Shuter receiving the inaugural recognition.
Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Simon A. Weissman has been elected to serve on the board of directors of Hall Neighborhood House, an organization that provides comprehensive services that educate, enrich, and empower residents of all ages on the East Side of Bridgeport and the surrounding community. Hall Neighborhood House offers programs for all ages, from childcare and preschool for infants and children to after school programs and summer camp for youth to daily activities for seniors. The organization serves more 250 infants, toddlers, and preschoolers; 500 youth, and 100 senior citizens annually.
Manufacturing Industry Team chair Jeff White and Business Litigation Group lawyer Sandra Marin Lautier were elected to leadership roles with The Bushnell Performing Arts Center (The Bushnell), Connecticut’s largest arts center, during the organization’s annual meeting on June 13, 2023. Jeff was elected to the Board of Trustees and Sandra was elected an Ambassador. Both will serve three-year terms in their roles. Jeff previously served as an Ambassador since 2015. The Bushnell has been central to life in Greater Hartford serving as its unique gathering place for arts, education, and community activities for more than 90 years.
Real Estate + Development Group member Anthony J. Vogel has been appointed to serve on the New Canaan Nature Center’s Board of Trustees. The New Canaan Nature Center is a not-for-profit environmental education organization that strives to inspire people of all ages to respect, protect, and enjoy the world of nature. The organization offers wide array of innovative environmental education programs on its 40-acre site that is dedicated to the study of nature, horticulture and related sciences.
Insurance + Reinsurance Group lawyer Stephani A. Roman was appointed to serve on the board of directors of The Aurora Foundation during the organization’s annual meeting hosted at Robinson+Cole’s Hartford office on March 30, 2023. The Aurora Foundation was formed to serve as a catalyst for change in the lives of women and girls in Greater Hartford, with the intended effect of unlocking the potential of their families and surrounding communities. The organization provides opportunities to educate and engage women and men in the power of philanthropy to achieve social change for women and girls and also implements strategic grantmaking that supports and empowers women and girls of all ages in Greater Hartford.
Intellectual Property + Technology Group lawyer William E. Bradley has been named to the Advisory Board of L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence), a nationwide non-profit that puts trained instructors in classrooms across the country to teach students about the dangers of drugs and violence. The program is taught by 3800 trained instructors in 41 states. L.E.A.D. has a proven effective, law enforcement-focused anti–drug, anti–violence curriculum for K-12 students in the U.S. The L.E.A.D. curriculum is taught over the course of a 10-week program to educate youth on how they can make smart decisions without the involvement of drugs or violence.
Ken Baldwin, chair of the firm’s Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group and a member of the firm's Managing Committee, has been appointed the new Chairman of the Board of Directors at First Tee – Connecticut, a youth development organization whose mission is to integrate the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, “creating active learning experiences that help develop inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience.” Ken’s service to the chapter includes roles as Vice-Chair and Secretary, and as a member of both the Executive Committee and Central Connecticut Committee. “I am thrilled and honored to take over as Board Chair at First Tee - Connecticut,…” he said. Ken’s initial involvement with the organization dates back some 15 years providing the chapter with permitting and real estate legal service needed to establish what is now First Tee CT’s headquarters at the TPC River Highlands in Cromwell.
Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Austin G. Provost was interviewed about his pathway to becoming a lawyer as part of a series of 16 alumni videos for Plainville High School’s Career Center. In the video, Austin describes what made him want to become a lawyer, why he chose to pursue a real estate transactions practice, suggests what courses and skills students should focus on if interested in pursuing a legal career, and the things he loves most about his legal career. The Career Center offers assistance to Plainville High School students preparing for jobs/job shadows/careers during, and after, high school. View the video.
Eric Kogan, a member of the Business Transactions Group, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford. The mission of the Club is to enable all youth “to reach their full potential as productive and responsible citizens,” empowering them by offering facilities, programs, and support systems that assist in their academic, social, athletic and cultural pursuits. This formula for excellence focuses on the academic success, good character and healthy lifestyles of the more than 1,600 young people (grades K-12) who participate in the programs and services the Club offers, inspiring confidence and a sense of purpose and belonging. Recently, Robinson+Cole was pleased to contribute pro bono work to help finalize contracts and bring to fruition the installation of a rock climbing wall at the Club. Steve Elbaum, previously served as a member of the Club’s Board of Directors.
Health Law Group member, Conor O. Duffy, has been named to the Board of Directors of First Choice Health Centers, Inc., based in East Hartford, CT. As a community health center providing integrated care, the mission of First Choice is “to break down the social and economic barriers to wellness and healthy living.”
On November 10, 2022, R+C lawyers and staff joined volunteers from PwC, KPMG, Santander and Central Connecticut State University to teach at Parkville Community School in Hartford on behalf of the Southwest New England Chapter of Junior Achievement (JA). Firm participants presented to more than 60 Parkville kindergartners JA-developed programs in financial literacy and entrepreneurship, such as how to earn and save money and what it means to have a job. This marks more than 15 years of R+C participation at the school. R+C volunteers taking part represented multiple practice groups in the Hartford office, and included Christine Bromberg, Kelly Butricks, Ben Daniels, R+C Legal Recruiting Coordinator Raquel Rodriguez, Garrett Shaikh, Jon Vasquez and Bill Wilson. Raquel and Talent Management Coordinator Emma Toms led the efforts to solicit volunteers and organize the training in coordination with JA. Christine serves on the Emeritus Board of Directors for the Chapter.
Labor and Employment Group lawyer, Britt-Marie Cole-Johnson has been named chair of the regional advisory board leading Teach for America Connecticut. The organization serves as part of a network of partners committed to giving all students the educational opportunities, access and life choices they deserve. Teach for America Connecticut’s program is centered around vibrant urban centers in Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Bridgeport and Norwalk, fostering partnerships with community leaders and organizations to build coalitions with students, families and educators and to combat the systemic “injustice of educational inequity.”
Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer George W. Watson III has been appointed by the New England Legal Foundation (NELF) to serve on its Rhode Island Advisory Council. NELF is the leading non-profit public interest law firm in the region dedicated to addressing policy and constitutional concerns related to free enterprise. “We are thrilled,” NELF President Daniel B. Winslow said, “to have George joining our Rhode Island Advisory Council; he brings with him his impressive legal counsel experience in facility siting, environmental land use restrictions, and real estate transactions, as well as his expertise on general land use matters.” NELF’s ongoing mission is to champion individual economic liberties, property rights, good government based on rule of law, and inclusive economic growth. Read more in the press release.
On July 28, 2022, Robinson+Cole recognized 19 lawyers and staff members for their pro bono work, mentoring, community service and efforts to promote a diverse and inclusive work environment as part of the firm's annual awards.
The Pro Bono Award is presented by the firm’s Pro Bono Committee and honors individuals for their outstanding commitment to Robinson+Cole’s pro bono initiative. This year’s honorees were Megan E. Baroni, Laurie A. Krepto, Ryan V. Leichsenring, Leticia C. Pimentel, Stephani A. Roman and Business Center Specialist Elsa E. Colon and Attorney Career Development Manager Kristopher I. Moore, who were honored for their ongoing dedication and support of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Megan Baroni, a member of the Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group, has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the New Canaan Nature Center. Megan's three-year term was affirmed at the Center's Annual Meeting in June and became effective on July 1, 2022. The mission of the Nature Center is to serve as “an environmental education organization dedicated to inspiring people of all ages to respect, protect and enjoy the world of nature.” The Center’s 40-acre site provides for a wide range of activities, including community and family, youth, adult, and urban outreach programs.
Kendra Berardi, a member of the Business Litigation Group as well as the Real Estate and Title Insurance Team and Appellate Team, has been elected to a two-year term on the North End Waterfront Neighborhood Council, which serves as an advisory board to the City of Boston on municipal affairs. The twelve-member Council of elected residents advises on issues affecting the quality of life in the city’s North End and Waterfront areas. These issues include, but are not limited to, land use, development, parking, street cleanliness, public safety, residential and commercial expansion, and food and beverage license.
Business Litigation Group lawyer Kevin P. Daly was appointed to serve a three-year term on the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society (NWH & WHHS) Board of Trustees during the organization’s annual meeting on May 24, 2022. The NWH & WHHS is located in the restored 18th-century birthplace and childhood home of Noah Webster, the creator of the first American dictionary and “Blue-Backed Speller”, a teacher, lawyer and early abolitionist. According to its website, the mission of the NWH & WHHS is to “preserve, interpret, and champion Noah Webster’s legacy and birthplace, as well as the evolving history of West Hartford, the town that nurtured him.” Each year the Noah Webster House serves approximately 10,000 school children and thousands of general visitors from around the world. Read more about the NWH & WHHS.
Robinson+Cole lawyers Alexandra Kritzman, Sandra Marin Lautier, Stephani A. Roman, and Annecca H. Smith have been named to the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) First 100 Plus Class of 2022 during the organization’s 11th Annual Breakfast & Awards Ceremony on April 8, 2022, at the Hartford Marriott Downtown in Hartford, Connecticut.
The First 100 Plus Class of 2022 is comprised of leaders working to improve the lives of domestic violence survivors and their families in Connecticut. These lawyers, with varied backgrounds and practices, have all made vital contributions to their state and local communities. Read more in the press release.
Insurance + Reinsurance Group lawyer Sharone G. Kornman was presented with L’Dor V’Dor Award during the Voices of Hope (VOH) "Evening of Hope" event on November 17, 2021. The virtual community gathering celebrated VOH's13 years as a non-profit educational organization created by descendants of Holocaust survivors across Connecticut. The organization's mission is to promote a culture of courage to stand up against hatred through Holocaust and genocide education and remembrance. Robinson+Cole, through its pro bono initiative, assisted in incorporating VOH as a 501(c)(3) entity. Sharone is the sixth recipient of the L’Dor V’Dor ("from generation to generation") Award, which is given annually to an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to ensuring that future generations never forget. Since 1990, she has worked on various Connecticut initiatives to help safeguard the remembrance and lasting legacy of her parents and other Holocaust survivors. Learn more about Voices of Hope.
Business Litigation Group lawyer Tasnuva Islam has been appointed to serve a two-year term on the Invictus Forever Board of Directors and will be working with its fundraising subcommittee. The nonprofit organization seeks to meet the vocational, recreational, social, educational, and therapeutic needs of children and adults with disabilities by offering meaningful activities and inclusive social initiatives catering to individuals with mild to severe disabilities (e.g., autism, developmental disabilities, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy). The primary goal of Invictus Forever is to prepare individuals for independent living by enabling them to acquire the valuable skills needed to have successful and meaningful lives. Learn more about Invictus Forever.
Business Litigation Group lawyer Janet Kljyan has been elected to serve a three-year term on the Hudson River Housing, Inc. Board of Directors. Hudson River Housing provides a continuum of services that improves lives and communities through housing with compassion and development with vision. The organization creates pathways out of homelessness through empowerment, education, and advocacy and strengthens communities by developing and preserving affordable housing and creating opportunities for people and places to thrive. Learn more about Hudson River Housing.
On July 29, 2021, Robinson+Cole recognized 14 lawyers and staff members for their pro bono work, mentoring, community service and efforts to promote a diverse and inclusive work environment as part of the firm's annual awards. The Pro Bono Award is presented by the firm’s Pro Bono Committee and honors individuals for their outstanding commitment to Robinson+Cole’s pro bono initiative. This year’s honorees were Charles E. Janson, Choity R. Khan and paralegal Albina Yaikbaeva. The Robinson+Cole Mentor of the Year Award recognizes outstanding guidance, support, and encouragement of fellow lawyers and staff in their pursuit of professional growth. This year’s award was presented to IT Services Manager Joel M. Easley, Katherine M. Fix, Dana M. Horton and Christopher J. Hug. In addition, Linn F. Freedman, Jennifer L. Shanley and Business Center Specialist Sandra M. Strate were all recognized with the Community Service Award for their continued volunteerism. Lastly, Robinson+Cole's Diversity and Inclusion Awardees Lisa B. Andrzejewski, Dan A. Brody, Chief Marketing Officer Gina L. Carriuolo and John B. Lynch, Jr. were honored for their ongoing dedication and support of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Deirdre M. Robinson has been elected to serve on the board of directors for Preservation Massachusetts, the statewide non-profit historic preservation organization dedicated to preserving the Commonwealth’s historic and cultural heritage. Preservation Massachusetts works in partnership with national, state and local organizations and individuals across the Commonwealth to advance and understanding, appreciation and utilization of our historic built and natural landscapes. Learn more about Preservation Massachusetts.
Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Candace M. Cunningham has been elected to serve on the board of trustees of The Independent Day School (IDS), a pre-k through 8th grade private school located in Middlefield, Connecticut. The school’s mission statement is “by knowing students deeply both as individuals and learners, IDS inspires a community of independent thinkers who are resilient and confident to take risks as they connect with others in the joyful pursuit of learning.” Members of the Board serve as the guardians of the school mission and focus on strategic direction and financial stewardship of IDS. Learn more about IDS.
Robinson+Cole Managing Partner Rhonda J. Tobin was profiled in the article "Rhonda Tobin Making History as Robinson & Cole's First Female Leader" published in the Connecticut Law Tribune, New York Law Journal and New Jersey Law Journal on July 9, 2021. The article covers Robinson+Cole's 175th anniversary celebration; the execution of the firm's strategic plan; Robinson+Cole's culture of collaboration, including the launch of new diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; and how the COVID-19 pandemic presented some unexpected opportunities to embrace change. "Across all practices, Tobin said Robinson & Cole attorneys and staff deserve kudos for demonstrating resilience amid last year’s challenges, particularly with regard to pro bono efforts and community service. They really kept the mission and the culture of the firm going." Reflecting on her own career path, Rhonda also discusses the firm's willingness to support individual initiative. "In all of her leadership roles," Tobin said, she regularly tells associates at Robinson & Cole that "those who take initiative will invariably find more rewarding and fulfilling careers at the firm." Read the full article.
Robinson+Cole, through its Wellness Committee, is pleased to support Well-Being Week in Law (WWIL) kicking-off Monday, May 3 in alignment with Mental Health Awareness Month. Presented by the Institute for Well-Being in Law (IWIL), WWIL aims to raise awareness about mental health and encourage action and innovation across the profession to improve well-being. The Committee circulated an email with additional information about the initiative and ways to participate. In addition, the firm will be sharing easy-to-do suggestions that align with a well-being dimension on its LinkedIn page. Learn more about WWIL.
Immigration Group member, Jennifer L. Shanley, was highlighted in a recent United Way Women United social media spotlight. In the "#WomenRockWednesday" profile, Jen enthuses about her business immigration practice and career highlights, as well as her love of family life as the mother of two boys. She is a member of the board of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and leads its New Member sub-committee of the Engagement Committee. In addition to her work with United Way, Jen is an active volunteer with Special Olympics Connecticut. She also is a member of the firm’s Women’s Committee and Safety & Health Committee. The spotlight is available on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Construction Law Group member Frederick E. Hedberg has been elected to the Hartford County Bar Foundation (HCBF) Board of Directors beginning January 1, 2021. Established in 1999, HCBF is the charitable arm of the Hartford County Bar Association doing good work on behalf of the lawyers of Hartford County. The Foundation is a non-profit corporation committed to helping improve economic and social conditions throughout Hartford County including donations to organizations dedicated to assisting the poor, disabled and homeless.
Business Transactions Group lawyer Taylor A. Shea has been elected to serve a two-year term as chair of board of Community Housing Advocates, Inc (CHA). CHA is the parent company of Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation and My Sisters’ Place, Inc. CHA and its subsidiaries provide housing assistance and supportive services to persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The organizations seeks to end homelessness by advocating for changes in the social systems that perpetuate homelessness.
Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Michele L. Maresca has been appointed to serve a three-year term on the board of directors for the Bridge Family Center, a comprehensive regional nonprofit agency that provides children and families in the Greater Hartford area with a broad range of services, including a Family Resource Center, mental health counseling, residential services, and youth and family services, such as mentoring and positive youth development programs. The Bridge Family Center serves approximately 8,500 youth and families each year.
Robinson+Cole lawyer Eric D. Daniels and his wife Patricia J. Campanella Daniels were among the honorees recognized during the 2020 Human Relations Awards Banquet, hosted by the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), on September 24, 2020. The annual banquet includes the presentation of awards to individuals in the community who have distinguished themselves by treating others with open-mindedness and respect, showing leadership by example, and demonstrating diligence in their fight for human rights and equality. Read more in the press release.
As small businesses continue to confront the challenges presented by COVID-19, Robinson+Cole and the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA) have announced that they will continue to facilitate the Connecticut COVID-19 Small Business Virtual Legal Clinic and provide pro bono services throughout the fall to members of Connecticut’s small business community affected by the pandemic. Read more in the press release.
Those interested in learning more about the Connecticut COVID-19 Small Business Virtual Legal Clinic, including registration for small business as well as attorney volunteers, please visit https://www.ctbar.org/home/coronavirus-response/covid-19-small-business-virtual-legal-clinic.
Congratulations to Health Law Group and Data Privacy + Cybersecurity Team member Conor Duffy, who was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of New Haven Legal Assistance Association (NHLAA), effective September 2020. NHLAA is a nonprofit organization comprising attorneys, paralegals and legal secretaries committed to protecting the rights and improving the lives of its clients and their communities. It provides high-quality legal services to individuals and groups unable to engage legal counsel and services due to limited income, age, disability, discrimination or other barriers. Incorporated in 1964, NHLAA was among the first legal services programs to be established, and the federal government has used it as a model for similar programs throughout the country.
Business Litigation Group lawyer Eric D. Daniels was featured in the article “Eric Daniels works to combat domestic violence” published in the July 2020 issue of Glastonbury LIFE. The Q&A profile focuses on Eric's continued involvement with Interval House, Connecticut's largest domestic violence intervention and prevention agency, including being one of the founders of the organization's Men Make A Difference, Men Against Domestic Violence group, which was recognized during Interval House's Breakfast With Champions event last fall. Eric shares what prompted him to become involved in Interval House and how the Men Make A Difference, Men Against Domestic Violence group came to fruition and the efforts it undertakes to help break the cycle of domestic violence. Read the full article.
Insurance + Reinsurance Group lawyer Denis J. O'Malley has been appointed to the Bushnell Park Foundation Board of Directors. The Foundation has served for more than thirty years as the prime advocate for the conservation and restoration of Bushnell Park, the oldest public park in the United States. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Bushnell Park is comprised of 37 green acres and is recognized for its historic artwork as well as its arboretum of over 700 trees. More than one million people visit Bushnell Park each year, including visitors to the 100 public events, the historic Carousel, and art exhibitions at the Pump House Gallery, as well as hundreds of children, city residents and Hartford business workers who walk, run, bicycle, and simply rest in the Park.
Immigration Group lawyer Jennifer L. Shanley has been appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. The organization’s mission is to engage and bring together people and resources committed to the well-being of children and families in the community. United Way focuses on youth success, economic mobility, access to health and basic needs.
Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Krista L. Patterson has been appointed to serve on the National Leadership Council for Duke Children's Hospital (Duke Children’s). Krista's three-year term officially begins July 1, 2020. Duke Children's is dedicated to the advancement of pediatric healthcare by providing compassionate care to children of all ages in a family-friendly environment. The Duke Children's National Leadership Council is committed to enhancing Duke Children's as one of the truly outstanding children's centers in the world. The council provides Duke Children's leaders with generous supporters, knowledgeable spokespeople, and thoughtful connectors, who promote Duke Children's mission to transform care for children locally, nationally, and globally. Read more in the press release.
Labor, Employment, Benefits + Immigration Group lawyer Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson has been elected to YWCA Hartford Region's Board of Directors for a two-year term beginning January 2020. Britt-Marie has been actively involved with YWCA Hartford Region for more than nine years and previously served as chair of its Board of Directors from 2015 to 2016. She also held a number of leadership positions during her prior board terms, including chair of the Governance Committee, chair of the Nominating Committee, and event co-chair of the 19th Annual “In the Company of Women” Luncheon. Read more in the press release and in the Connecticut Law Tribune.
Robinson+Cole lawyers Dan A. Brody, Kathryn N. Mullin, Je'Quana S. Orr, and Evan J. Seeman have been named to the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) First 100 Plus Class of 2019 during the organization’s 9th Annual Breakfast & Awards Ceremony on November 15, 2019 at the Hartford Marriott Downtown in Hartford, Connecticut.
The First 100 Plus Class of 2019 is comprised of leaders working to improve the lives of domestic violence survivors and their families in Connecticut. While each person is varied in his or her background and profession, each one has contributed to making a difference either statewide or within his or her local community. Read more and view a photo in the press release.
At its annual Breakfast With Champions event, Interval House, Connecticut’s largest domestic violence intervention and prevention agency, honored the members of the organization’s Men Make A Difference, Men Against Domestic Violence group, whose membership includes Robinson+Cole lawyer Eric D. Daniels, one of the founding members of the group. The celebration, which is held in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, took place on October 17, 2019 in Simsbury, Connecticut. View a photo and read more in the press release.
Robinson+Cole has signed the American Bar Association (ABA) Well-Being Pledge, a campaign dedicated to improving the substance use and mental health landscape of the legal profession. Organized by the ABA Working Group to Advance Well-Being in the Legal Profession, the Pledge is designed to address the profession’s troubling rates of alcohol and other substance-use disorders, as well as mental health issues. Read more in the press release.
The Brass City Charter School (BCCS) in Waterbury, CT has named a boardroom in its newly expanded facilities the “Robinson+Cole Boardroom” in recognition of pro bono work done on behalf of the school by Robinson+Cole.
Robinson+Cole’s work on behalf of BCCS involved helping on the acquisition and financing of the location of the two-year construction project at the school. The R+C team led by Steven L. Elbaum and David M. Panico included lawyers and paralegals in the firm’s Real Estate, Construction, and Public Finance Groups. Read more in the press release.
Robinson+Cole Real Estate + Development Group partner Brian R. Smith received the Bridge Family Center’s inaugural George C. Hastings Award at the Bridge’s Annual Meeting on June 4, 2019 in West Hartford, CT. The award, named for the late Robinson+Cole partner and one of the Bridge’s founding leaders, is presented to an individual who exemplifies Hastings’ strong and compassionate character and who embodies his life-long commitment to serving the underprivileged and those in need. Read more in the press release.
Members of the Hartford office’s Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group participated in the Keney Park Sustainability Project in Hartford, CT on the afternoon of June 6, 2019. The community service team - including Keney Park Sustainability Project Board member Emily Deans, Brian Freeman, Bob Melvin, Jim Ray, Jon Schaefer, Emilee Mooney Scott, and UConn legal extern James Zimmer - assisted with weeding and planting cucumbers and zucchini.
The goals of the Project include:
The vision of the Project is “to create the next generation of healthy, productive and environmentally conscious citizens” by providing hands-on training, on-site demonstrations, outreach and community collaborations that help families become more self-sustainable and environmentally aware. At 693 acres, Keney Park is the largest park within the Hartford city system. It was a gift from the investor and wholesale grocer, Henry Keney in 1894, and was designed by the architectural firm led by the sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, the great American landscape artist who designed Central Park in New York City.
Robinson+Cole was honored with the “Volunteer of the Year” distinction by the Pro Bono Partnership (the Partnership) during an event hosted by the organization in celebration of volunteer lawyers who provided free legal services to nonprofit organizations throughout Connecticut in 2018. In addition to the firm’s Hartford law department being recognized, employment litigator and counselor Stephen W. Aronson was presented with an individual “Volunteer of the Year” honor for his outstanding individual contributions. This is the first time the Partnership has had an individual honoree come from the law firm honoree. Read more in the press release.
Robinson+Cole lawyers John P. Casey and Evan J. Seeman represented the New London Maritime Society pro bono in litigation that resulted in the New London Harbor Lighthouse being reopened to the public after the City issued a cease and desist order that prohibited public tours. Read more in the press release.
Robinson+Cole made a contribution to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford (BGCH) during a private reception hosted prior to the Hartford Stage performance of Detroit ’67 on February 27, 2019. Robinson+Cole, a longtime supporter of Hartford Stage and a lead sponsor for the production, continued to demonstrate its commitment to community, education, and diversity and inclusion by selecting the BGCH to receive this year’s contribution. Read more and view a photo in the press release.
On Saturday, January 26, 2019, Kendra L. Berardi, Julianna M. Charpentier, Melissa A. Frost, Matthew J. Lawlor, Andrew W. Monthey, Alicia R. Selman, Melissa (Lisa) Thompson, and Derek Valentine, accompanied by their significant others, attended the annual John & Abigail Adams Benefit Ball at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Hosted by the Boston Bar Foundation, the event is the largest of its kind in the Boston area, with 100 percent of the proceeds funding direct grants awarded to local organizations that serve thousands of individuals and families struggling with critical issues such as homelessness, domestic violence, and various forms of injustice. This year’s event raised a record breaking $725,000+ for the work of the Foundation. View a photo from the event.
On February 1, 2019, the firm once again celebrated National Wear Red Day in support of Go Red For Women, the American Heart Association’s (AHA) national movement to end heart disease and stroke in women. Participating lawyers and staff made contributions to AHA in order to wear jeans along with an article of red clothing to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease in women. In addition, the Boston and Providence offices showcased their New England spirit by increasing their contributions for each person wearing Patriots attire. Just over $700 was raised in support of the cause. View photos here.
Greater Hartford Legal Aid (GHLA), an organization whose mission is to secure justice for and to protect the rights of the needy residents of Hartford County, has elected Business Litigation Group lawyer Edward J. Heath to president and chair of its board of directors. For 60 years, GHLA has increased access to the courts, advocated for fairness in the application of law, and broken down barriers and improved systems while practicing preventive law. Ed previously served as vice president and has been a member of the board of directors for the last seven years. Read more in the press release.
Business Litigation Group lawyer Kathryn M. Rattigan has been appointed to the President’s Advisory Group for Stonehill College, located in Easton, Massachusetts. The mission of the group is to complement the work of the College’s president and board of trustees by offering advice, guidance and recommendations on priority areas of the College. This includes, but is not limited to: marketing and branding, campus master planning, strategic planning, alumni engagement, resource development, and athletics. Kathryn received her B.A. from Stonehill College and will be serving a three-year term with the group.
Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County (JAGFC), an organization committed to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy, has appointed Business Litigation Group lawyer Brian J. Wheelin to its Stamford Community Board. JAGFC is among the 109 local JA areas across the nation whose volunteer-delivered, kindergarten-12th grade programs foster work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills, which use experiential learning to inspire students to dream big and reach their potential. JAGFC serves more than 22,000 students in 20 Greater Fairfield County towns.
The firm was a silver sponsor of a happy hour event hosted by Lawyers for Children America (LFCA) at the Wadsworth Athenaeum Museum of Art in Hartford, Connecticut on December 13, 2018. LFCA is a leading child advocacy organization, protecting the rights of children who are victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment by providing the highest level of direct pro bono legal representation. The gathering celebrated the volunteer attorneys who work with LFCA to serve Connecticut’s most vulnerable children. Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Joey Lee Miranda serves on the LFCA board of directors and attended the event.
The New Covenant Center (the “Center”), one of the largest soup kitchens and food pantries in the state, has appointed Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Charles F. Martin III to its Advisory Council. Opened in 1978 as a soup kitchen “to help the neediest in greater Stamford meet the most basic need for food in a dignified and respectful environment,” the Center serves 600,000 nutritious meals a year. Read more in the press release.
Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Peter V. Lacouture, along with Legal Administrative Assistant Brenda L. Vucci, organized the Providence office’s annual United Way Workforce Campaign. The campaign kicked-off with a special luncheon featuring a video presentation by United Way of Rhode Island and an informational address given by Cortney Nicolato, the organization’s new President and CEO. A successful campaign concluded in early December 2018 with almost $15,000 raised from the contributions made by nearly 100 percent of lawyers and staff.
In addition to the Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive, Insurance + Reinsurance Group lawyer Dana M. Horton organized the Providence office’s participation in the December 2018 Annual Food Drive, benefiting the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. The annual food drive is an initiative supported by the Defense Counsel of Rhode Island, of which Dana is an active member. The Rhode Island Community Food Bank, an organization that the Providence office has supported many times in the past, is Rhode Island’s largest community food bank, providing resources to families and supporting organizations throughout the state. View a photo of the contribution made to the food drive.
Nine Robinson+Cole lawyers and staff members volunteered to participate in Hands On Hartford’s 2018 Holiday Party and Toy Shoppe on December 13, 2018. Hands On Hartford is a social service nonprofit organization that serves Hartford’s neediest residents in the areas of food, housing, and health. The organization’s annual holiday event supported the 150 families it serves by providing parents with a unique opportunity to “shop,” free of charge, for gifts for their children. While parents shop in the “toy room,” kids are the in the “party room,” enjoying music and food, making holiday crafts, visiting with Santa, and more. The firm’s volunteer effort was coordinated by Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Candace M. Cunningham and included Lorraine Andexler, Diana C. D'Angelo, Elizabeth C. Figueroa, Denise G. Jaffe, Ashley R. Paholski, Laura A. Rankin, and Michele A. Sexton. The group was assigned to assist with various activity stations, such as arts and crafts, games, food service, gift wrapping, and more. The firm was a proud sponsor of this event.
As it has done for 14 consecutive years, the Hartford office met its goal of providing gifts to needy children from the Northwest Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. Health Law Group lawyer Brian D. Nichols coordinated the office's drive and was aided by lawyers and staff, who bought and wrapped nearly 200 gifts to fulfill each child's wish. The Boys & Girls Clubs work to help Hartford youth, especially the most vulnerable, reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens by providing programs in a safe environment that nurture character, leadership, fitness, and life skills. Mr. Nichols is a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford's Board of Trustees. View photos of the display of generosity in the Hartford office.
Legal Administrative Assistant Lisa Torres again organized the New York office’s participation in a toy drive benefiting Safe Horizon’s Queens Child Advocacy Center. Held from November 26 to December 10, 2018, lawyers and staff members donated about 75 toys and gift cards along with a monetary contribution of more than $550. The toys and gift cards were distributed during Safe Horizon’s annual holiday party on December 14, 2018. Safe Horizon’s Child Advocacy Centers treat children who have suffered sexual abuse or severe physical abuse and their impacted family members by addressing their safety, tending to their physical injuries and emotional needs, and bringing abusers to justice. Naomi Barasch, Senior Director of the Safe Horizon’s Queens Advocacy Center had this to say about the firm’s efforts: “Please know that you are enabling my staff to finish this year in an uplifting moment of joy by helping our child victims not only know, but feel that hope and healing is here.” View photos of the toys collected.
The third annual George C. Hastings Community Service Award was presented to the Urban League of Greater Hartford during the firm's holiday celebration on December 14, 2018 at the Hartford Marriott Downtown. Exemplifying the same commitment to community service as George Hastings is former Robinson+Cole partner, Sanford Cloud, Jr., who was recently presented with the William “Bill” Brown Leadership and Community Service Award during the Urban League of Greater Hartford’s 54th Equal Opportunity Day Dinner & Celebration. During the presentation of the Hastings Award, Mr. Cloud fondly reflected on his time at Robinson+Cole and remarked how special the occasion was in that the recognition brought together two of his mentors - William “Bill” Brown, longtime director of the Urban League of Greater Hartford, who instilled the importance of community engagement in Mr. Cloud, and George Hastings, who served as an important role model in Mr. Cloud’s practice of law. Read more and view a photo in the press release.
Insurance + Reinsurance Group lawyer Dana M. Horton, along with Legal Administrative Assistant Brenda L. Vucci, organized the Providence office's participation in the December 2018 Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive benefiting Children's Friend. The Holiday Drive is an initiative championed by the Rhode Island Women's Bar Association, and lawyers and staff members once again brightened the holidays for a family in need by purchasing various practical items as well as holiday presents. Founded in 1834, Children’s Friend is Rhode Island’s oldest child welfare organization and a leading provider of child welfare, family support, mental health, and child development services. View a photo of the display of generosity in the Providence office.
The Hartford office’s “Jeans Day” on December 7, 2018 raised more than $400 in support of Footwear with Care (FwC), an organization that provides free, high-quality footwear, socks, medical foot exams, and other aid to homeless people in Hartford. In addition, lawyers and staff donated boots to contribute to FwC's Winter Boot Party on December 8, 2018. Since 2016, FwC has been delivering durable, well-fitting walking shoes and boots as well as medical foot screenings to homeless children and adults in Hartford. View a photo of the donation.
On November 17, 2018, the Bushnell Park Foundation hosted a grand opening in celebration of the new playground constructed in Hartford’s Bushnell Park. In appreciation of the firm’s generous financial support of the new playground, Managing Partner Stephen E. Goldman was among the dignitaries invited to participate in the grand opening ceremony, where both he and the firm were personally acknowledged and thanked for the firm’s meaningful contribution. In recognition of that support, Robinson+Cole’s name is proudly displayed on the playground’s entrance sign. Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Jonathan H. Schaefer was also in attendance. Jon currently serves on the Bushnell Park Foundation Board of Directors. View photos from the grand opening.
Robinson+Cole lawyers and staff members participated in Junior Achievement’s “JA in a Day” program at Parkville Community School in Hartford on November 16, 2018. This was the firm's fourteenth “JA in a Day” overall and thirteenth visit to this elementary school.
A total of nine volunteers from Robinson+Cole spent roughly five hours teaching 90 first-grade students a JA-developed curriculum focused on money, needs and wants, family, and the value of hard work. Robinson+Cole partner Christine E. Bromberg, a member of the Board of Directors of JA of Southwest New England, coordinated the effort. The firm is a longtime supporter of JA. Read more and view a photo in the press release.
The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) named Robinson+Cole lawyers Kelly Frye Barnett, Emily C. Deans, Kathleen E. Dion, Rachel V. Kushel, and Nicole S. Mulé and paralegal Albina Yaikbaeva to its First 100 Plus Class of 2018 during the organization’s 8th Annual Breakfast & Awards Ceremony on November 9, 2018 at the Hartford Marriott Downtown in Hartford, Connecticut.
Although both men and women have been recognized in years past, the First 100 Plus Class of 2018 was limited to women in celebration of CCADV’s 40th Anniversary and Year of the Woman. This year’s class is comprised of women who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to improving the lives of domestic violence survivors throughout Connecticut. Read more and view a photo in the press release.
Lawyers and staff from the Providence office, along with some of their family members, formed a Robinson+Cole team to participate in the 2018 Rhode Island Walk for Epilepsy at Slater Memorial Park in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on October 28, 2018. The team raised $2,000 in support of the Epilepsy Foundation New England, a non-profit organization that serves 100,000 people in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island who have epilepsy, and their families. View a photo from the walk.
Intellectual Property + Technology Group lawyer Jacqueline Pennino Scheib chaired the 2018 Women Who Care Luncheon at the Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford, Connecticut on October 24, 2018. Presented by the American Red Cross, Connecticut Chapter, the luncheon raised awareness and support for the American Red Cross mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. The luncheon touched on various aspects of the Red Cross services including support of members of the military and their families, blood collection, processing and distribution, health and safety education and training and home fire safety and response initiatives. The keynote speaker, Winnie Romeril, focused on national and international disaster relief efforts. Jackie serves on the board of directors of the American Red Cross, Connecticut Chapter.
Business Litigation Group lawyers Kelly Frye Barnett, Dan A. Brody, Eric D. Daniels, Christopher J. Hug, and Je'Quana S. Orr; Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Peter R. Knight and Robert S. Melvin; and Insurance + Reinsurance Group lawyer Denis J. O'Malley all attended the 2018 Breakfast With Champions on October 17, 2018 at the Riverview in Simsbury, Connecticut. Presented by Interval House, Connecticut's largest domestic violence intervention and prevention agency, the annual awareness-raising event recognizes extraordinary men and women who work in the cause against domestic violence. This year, Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen was presented with the 6th Annual Breakfast with Champions Award for his longtime dedication as a private citizen and public official to end domestic violence. View a photo from the event.
The University of Connecticut Law School Alumni Association appointed Business Litigation Group lawyer Linda L. Morkan to its Board of Directors during the law school’s Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner on October 16, 2018. The Association cultivates the spirit of community and pride among those who have attended the law school and contributes to the advancement of the law school and the legal profession. Read more in the press release.
The Keney Park Sustainability Project, an organization that helps families become more self-sustainable and environmentally conscious while preserving the historic Keney Park, has appointed Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Emily C. Deans to its Board of Directors. The goal of the Project is to support the development and sustainability of community-based food systems such as farmers markets, community gardens, school based gardening, agricultural project and home gardens. Read more in the press release.
Business Litigation Group lawyer Eric D. Daniels is featured in a new public service announcement (PSA) airing on Fox 61 (WTIC-TV) throughout the month of October in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness month. Eric serves as an honorary director for Interval House, Connecticut’s largest domestic violence intervention and prevention agency, and he is a founding member of the agency’s Men Make A Difference, Men Against Domestic Violence™ group. View the PSA.
Finance Group Chair Norman H. Roos served as the moderator of a panel of six speakers for the program "What You Need to Know About New and Emerging Legislative, Regulatory and Industry Developments," at the 2018 Connecticut Mortgage Bankers Association’s Annual Connecticut Mortgage Law Forum on September 6, 2018, in New Britain, Connecticut. The half-day forum, held at Connecticut State University’s Institute of Technology and Business Development, featured a range of topics including Connecticut’s new mortgage lending laws, emerging compliance rules, what the Dodd Frank “rollback” law means for the mortgage industry, the lobbyists’ perspective on the legislative climate in the state, and comments from the Connecticut Department of Banking on the 2018 Connecticut legislative session.
Incoming fall associate Je'Quana Orr and Public Finance Group lawyer Keisha S. Palmer were featured in the article “High School Students Take Mock Trial Seriously,” published in UConn Today on August 16, 2018. The article spotlights the Summer Mock Trial Program, co-sponsored by UConn School of Law and Robinson+Cole in partnership with Hartford Public High School. The piece covers the program’s co-founding by Ms. Palmer during her second year at UConn School of Law and how the program led Ms. Orr to pursue a legal career. Read the full article.
The New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV), an organization dedicated to equipping veterans who are facing or at-risk of homelessness with the tools for economic self-sufficiency and to providing them a path to achieve successful and dignified independent living, has appointed Finance Group lawyer Amanda S. Eckhoff to its Board of Directors. Read more in the press release.
The Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity (LCD), an organization formed by lawyers to answer the call for greater diversity in the legal profession, has named Finance Group lawyer John B. Lynch Jr. its President-elect. Mr. Lynch will serve as LCD’s President in 2019. The mission of the LCD is to unite the resources, energy and commitment of the State’s leading law firms, corporations, public sector entities, law schools, state and county bar associations, and affinity bar organizations in the joint mission of making Connecticut a more attractive place for attorneys of color, minorities, and women to practice law and find satisfying professional opportunities. Read more in the press release.
On June 15, 2018, HARC proudly opened “Richard's Corner Stone Connection,” a reading room and library named in honor of Richard Stone. Mr. Stone is a former participant in Robinson+Cole’s partnership program with HARC and worked at the firm for over 20 years. When he retired, Mr. Stone promised himself that he would fulfill a lifelong dream of learning to read and, under the tutelage of his reading teacher, succeeded in doing so at age 65. Richard's Corner Stone Connection is committed to helping others fulfill their dreams learning to read. Business Litigation Group lawyer Eric D. Daniels was among those who attended the opening. View photos.
Professional Facilities Management (PMF), a wholly owned for-profit subsidiary of the Providence Performing Arts Center, has appointed Data Privacy + Cybersecurity lawyer Linn F. Freedman to its Board of Directors. PFM was founded by a group of dedicated business and entertainment-industry professionals who had been invited to consult and advise on a number of venue-related projects in New England. The organization has national management/booking contracts with eleven facilities in eight states.
The Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame, an educational outreach organization whose mission is to honor publicly the achievement of Connecticut women, preserve their stories, educate the public, and inspire the continued achievements of women and girls, has elected Robinson+Cole lawyer Abby M. Warren to its Board of Trustees. Founded in 1994, the primary goal of the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame is to provide role models to women of all ages, encouraging them to recognize their potential, and live their dreams. The Hall stands as the state’s premier source for Connecticut women’s history with more than a hundred Inductees. Read more in the press release.
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding (High Hopes), a premier therapeutic riding center that has served people with physical, emotional, and developmental disabilities for more than a quarter of a century, has elected Insurance + Reinsurance Group lawyer Gregory P. Varga to its Board of Trustees. The mission of High Hopes is to improve the lives of people with cognitive, physical, and emotional disabilities through the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding and other equine-assisted activities, while serving the therapeutic riding profession through training and education. Read more in the press release.
Lawyers and staff from the Boston office have been volunteering their time to provide meal service for the New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV), an organization dedicated to equipping Veterans who are facing or at-risk of homelessness with the tools for economic self-sufficiency and to providing them a path to achieve successful and dignified independent living. Spearheaded by Finance Group lawyer Amanda S. Eckhoff, a group of Robinson+Cole employees has volunteered to serve lunch, for one afternoon, during the months of January, April, and June 2018. To date, the following volunteers have participated in the community service project: Marleen M. Chin, Pamela A. Heafey, Rebecca B. Hughes, E. Christopher Kehoe, Samuel Mullin, Danielle M. Pasquale, and Phyllis A. Williams. Each day, NECHV serves between 380-400 meals to Veteran residents and Veterans accessing services through the organization’s programs. View photos.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford has elected Health Law Group lawyer Brian D. Nichols to its Board of Trustees. With eight locations throughout Greater Hartford, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford serve more than 5,000 of the region’s most needy children and teens every year, providing an array of youth development programs designed to put them on the path to great futures. Read more in the press release.
The Greater Hartford Legal Aid Foundation (GHLAF) honored Robinson+Cole during its Celebrating Leaders for Justice event at the Pond House Café in West Hartford on May 30, 2018. The event honors leaders in the legal industry who have dedicated their time, expertise, and financial resources to help Greater Hartford Legal Aid (GHLA) end poverty and fight for justice in the Greater Hartford area.
“Robinson+Cole has been an estimable partner to GHLA since its inception in 1958, helping GHLA to provide core legal aid to hundreds of thousands of clients over those decades,” said GHLAF President Ricardo Anzaldua. “Since The Foundation's incorporation, Robinson+Cole has been a generous and consistent supporter, singlehandedly contributing over $559,000 to support GHLA's work.” Read more and view a photo in the press release.
Members of the Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group participated in a community service project for Riverfront Recapture in Hartford on May 31, 2018. The group of volunteers, Emily C. Deans, Brian C. Freeman, Peter R. Knight, Earl W. Phillips Jr., and Emilee Mooney Scott, spent the afternoon working together with Riverfront Recapture staff to weed and mulch planting beds and prune trees on the walkway north of Mortensen Riverfront Plaza. Volunteers also received a short history of the area focusing on Riverfront Recapture’s efforts to reconnect the city to its prized waterfront, which was severed by dikes, I-91, and other artificial barriers in the last century. The service project is part of an effort by the Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group to participate in environmentally focused activities that serve the community. View photos.
The Center for Children’s Advocacy (CCA) recognized Insurance + Reinsurance Group lawyers Jessica A.R. Hamilton and Jonathan E. Small for providing pro bono representation to Connecticut’s immigrant children during the organization’s Spring for Kids! Champion of Children Awards Gala at Infinity Music Hall in Hartford, Connecticut on May 8, 2018. Ms. Hamilton and Mr. Small were among the lawyers recognized for not only participating in CCA's special immigrant juvenile status (SIJ) training, which trains attorneys for pro bono representation of undocumented children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned, but for also representing at least one child upon completion of the training. Read more and view a photo in the press release.
Business Litigation Group lawyer Gregory J. Bennici offered introductory remarks at the Law Day luncheon of the Fairfield County Bar Association (FCBA), prior to the keynote speaker, Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen. The event was held on May 2, 2018 in Darien, Connecticut, and hosted more than 100 attendees. Mr. Bennici served as an FCBA Co-Chair of the 2018 Law Day, a nation-wide event sponsored by the American Bar Association. He addressed this year’s theme, “Separation of Powers: Framework for Freedom,” speaking specifically to the separation of powers outlined in James Madison’s Federalist No. 51 and the increasing pressure placed on Madison’s constitutional order in recent decades. Reflecting on Madison’s precept that, “In republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates,” Mr. Bennici discussed the fragility of that principle in modern practice, and the burden that increasingly defaults to the judiciary as a result.
The Hartford Marathon Foundation, an organization whose mission is to encourage individuals and families to adopt and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, has appointed Labor and Employment Group lawyer Nicole S. Mule to its Board of Directors. Founded in 1994, the Hartford Marathon Foundation, Inc. is a not for profit organization that promotes fitness to all ages and all abilities through community running events, school based programs, and community collaborations. Over 60,000 people participate annually in the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s events. Read more in the press release.
On behalf of the firm’s Associates Council, Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Emily C. Deans and Jonathan H. Schaefer led the Robinson+Cole team in the 35th Annual Foodshare Walk Against Hunger, held on May 5, 2018 at Dunkin' Donuts Park-home of the Hartford Yard Goats. The co-captains were joined by Michele K. Bozzuto and Karen M. Thompson, as well as their husbands. The Robinson+Cole team raised $2,830 through donations made by lawyers and staff, in addition to a $500 sponsorship contribution from the Associates Council, to aid in the fight against hunger. The funds raised will support Hands On Hartford and Foodshare. View a photo.
WalkBoston, an organization that strives to make walking safer and easier in Massachusetts in an effort to encourage better health, a cleaner environment, and more vibrant communities, presented Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Matthew J. Lawlor with its Golden Shoe Award during the organization’s annual celebration held at the Fort Point Room - Atlantic Wharf in Boston, Massachusetts on March 29, 2018.
Mr. Lawlor currently serves as President of WalkBoston. “He has been a committed leader for our organizational work; helping to engage other Board members, leading the charge on fundraising and seeing WalkBoston through the completion of a new strategic plan,” said Wendy Landman, Executive Director of WalkBoston. “Matt’s steady hand, ready availability, and strong relationships with all of the staff have been a wonderful asset.” Read more and view a photo in the press release.
The Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation, an organization dedicated to fundraising and stewarding donor gifts in support of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center (Connecticut Children’s), has appointed Tax Group lawyer Christine E. Bromberg to its Board of Directors. The Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation brings together patient families, donors, community members, philanthropic partners, and others to raise the financial resources needed to invest in people, research, technology, and state-of-the-art equipment, to support Connecticut Children’s in providing the care children need and deserve. Read more in the press release.
Robinson+Cole sponsored Community Day at the Connecticut Science Center (the Science Center) in Hartford, Connecticut on March 10, 2018. The Science Center offered a flat rate $5 admission, a deep discount for adults and youth, and welcomed more than 2,700 visitors. Visitors explored the more than 165 hands-on exhibits as well as the current traveling exhibit Bionic Me. There were also live science demonstrations, including animal and butterfly encounters.
On March 20, fourteen Robinson+Cole lawyers and staff members volunteered their time to help package food for local families at Foodshare's satellite facility at the Hartford Regional Market. Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Emily C. Deans coordinated the effort on behalf of the firm's Associates' Council. Volunteers included both lawyers and staff who, together, helped provide safe food to the community by inspecting and sorting donated produce. Founded in 1982, Foodshare is the regional food bank serving Connecticut's Hartford and Tolland counties, where 127,000 people struggle with hunger. Read more in the press release.
Robinson+Cole’s Domestic Violence Restraining Order Program (DVRO) was featured in the “Spotlight on Pro Bono” section of the March 7, 2018 edition of the American Bar Association’s Section of Litigation, Commercial & Business Litigation (CBL) Committee Newsletter. The DVRO Program gives victims of domestic violence, who otherwise would not be represented, access to attorney advice and help in navigating the court system. “'It’s enormously gratifying to use our courtroom skills to help people so in need,’ reports a founding partner of the DVRO Program: ‘It takes great courage for a victim to testify against an abuser in court, and the firm’s attorneys are honored to support victims through that process.’ According to Kelly Frye Barnett, a litigation associate and long-time volunteer, the fact that the 'program helps junior lawyers get experience examining witnesses, offering evidence, and making an argument to a judge makes it all the better.'” Business Litigation Group lawyer Bradford S. Babbitt serves as co-chair of the CBL Committee. View the feature.
Health Law Group lawyer Lisa M. Boyle was quoted in the article “Boys & Girls Clubs sharpen focus on college, career readiness,” published in the Hartford Business Journal on March 19, 2018. The article discusses efforts Boys & Girls Clubs of America is making to sharpen its focus on college and career readiness as the result of a $3 million grant from The Hartford to develop college and career centers at 30 clubs across the country, including Hartford. “Hartford law firm Robinson+Cole has enjoyed success employing two or three Boys & Girls Clubs interns each summer for about the last decade, said Lisa Boyle, a partner there. Interns work in areas that include the records department and information systems and learn a law firm is more than lawyers, she said. Interns get exposed to marketing, IT, and more, talk with staff about their jobs and the training necessary for them.” Ms. Boyle continued by saying, “It can be hard for teens to get summer jobs, particularly for those in Hartford who may have few connections outside their immediate neighborhood, she said. Robinson+Cole gives teens a place to spend time in summer, earn money, make connections and experience a professional business environment.” For nearly 20 years, Ms. Boyle served on the Board of Trustees for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, including several years in which she served as the Board Secretary. Read the full article.
The Aurora Foundation, an organization committed to addressing the needs of women and girls to ensure a level playing field for all, has appointed Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Michele L. Maresca to its Board of Directors. The Aurora Foundation was formed to serve as a catalyst for change in the lives of women and girls in Greater Hartford, with the intended effect of unlocking the potential of their families and surrounding communities. Read more in the press release.
Hartford’s Camp Courant, the largest free summer day camp in the nation, has appointed Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Evan J. Seeman to its Board of Directors. Hartford’s Camp Courant serves over 1,000 of Hartford's children, ages five to 12, typically between 500 - 600 children per day for six weeks each summer. The Camp prides itself on helping children learn to develop into healthy, responsible adults through its recreational, educational, and cultural programs. View the press release.
The Discovery Center, an organization committed to building an equitable and just world where everyone has what they need to grow and thrive, has appointed Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Kathryn N. Mullin to its Board of Directors. Founded by Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward Newman, The Discovery Center is an award-winning educational diversity, team-building, and academic program serving more than 4,000 students from grades 4 through 8 in Connecticut. Read more in the press release.
On Saturday, January 27, 2018, Nadine L. Ebersole, Matthew J. Lawlor, Andrew W. Monthey, and Derek Valentine, accompanied by their significant others, attended the annual John & Abigail Adams Benefit at the Museum of Fine Arts. Hosted by the Boston Bar Foundation, the event is the largest of its kind in the Boston area, with 100 percent of the proceeds funding direct grants awarded to local organizations that serve thousands of individuals and families struggling with critical issues such as homelessness, domestic violence, and various forms of injustice. View a photo from the event.
Boston lawyers Katherine C. Bailey, Nadine L. Ebersole, Lawrence P. Heffernan, and E. Christopher Kehoe represented Robinson+Cole during the 19th Annual Walk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid on January 25, 2018. At the State House, participants urged lawmakers to protect state funding for civil legal aid. Civil legal aid programs provide vital services to protect the safety and stability of low-income individuals and families, including cases related to loss of housing, domestic abuse, access to veterans benefits, employment, elder law, and immigration. By providing lawyers and legal advice to people living at or near the federal poverty level, civil legal aid programs enhance the ability of clients to access justice and can serve as a powerful tool to combat poverty. Click here to view a photo of Robinson+Cole lawyers at the State House.
The Walk to the Hill event was sponsored by the Equal Justice Coalition, a partnership with the Boston Bar Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association, and the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation.
Robinson+Cole demonstrated its continued commitment to diversity, education, and community at a private reception prior to the Hartford Stage performance of Feeding the Dragon on January 24, 2018. For the past few years, Robinson+Cole has made a contribution to an organization whose mission aligns with the theme of the Hartford Stage show being sponsored by the firm. In recognition of Feeding the Dragon's storyline of a little girl who grew up in the custodial apartment of a Manhattan library, Eric D. Daniels, the Partner in Charge of Robinson+Cole's Hartford office, presented a check for $2,500 to the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut to support the United Way’s efforts to improve early childhood literacy. View a photo in the press release.
Auerfarm, an organization committed to ensuring that children and adults engage in, learn about, and enjoy agriculture, science, and the natural environment, has appointed Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Emilee Mooney Scott to its Board of Directors. Read more in the press release.
Robinson+Cole lawyers and staff members participated in Junior Achievement (JA) Day at Parkville Community School in Hartford on November 16, 2017. This was the firm's thirteenth JA/R+C Day and twelfth visit to this elementary school.
A total of fourteen volunteers from the firm taught approximately 75 students in kindergarten through second grade a JA-developed curriculum focused on promoting financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness. Robinson+Cole partner Christine E. Bromberg, a member of the Board of Directors of JA of Southwest New England, coordinated the effort. The firm is a longtime supporter of JA. Read more and view a photo in the press release.
Robinson+Cole is once again a proud sponsor of Winterfest Hartford, an annual event hosted in Bushnell Park, this year running from November 24, 2017 to January 2, 2018. During that time period, Winterfest offers free daily ice skating, free skate rentals, and free learn to skate classes. Winterfest is hosted by the City of Hartford, the iQuilt Partnership, the Hartford Business Improvement District, and the MetroHartford Alliance. Click here to see photos of ice skaters enjoying the Winterfest rink.
Insurance + Reinsurance Group lawyer Dana M. Horton organized the Providence office's participation in the December 2017 Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive benefiting Children's Friend. Lawyers and staff members brightened the holidays for two, single-parent families, including seven children, by purchasing presents for each family member. The Rhode Island Women's Bar Association sponsored the drive and was able to support a record number of families this year. Children's Friend is a nonprofit organization that serves Rhode Island children and families who face overwhelming obstacles in their lives, from poverty and language barriers to lack of education and substance abuse. Click here to see the display of generosity in the Providence office.
Legal Administrative Assistant Rebecca B. Hughes was the organizer behind the Boston office’s participation in a holiday raffle to raise funds in support of the hurricane relief effort in Puerto Rico. Lawyers and staff members helped secure prizes, put together baskets, and promote the raffle, which was hosted in the lobby during the office building’s annual holiday event on December 7, 2017. Tickets were sold to enter to win prizes such as the new iPhone X, popular children’s toys, packages for Boston Celtics and Bruins games, getaways to the Viking Hotel in Rhode Island and Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Connecticut, and much more. Winners for each prize basket were randomly drawn at the end of the event which ultimately raised about $8,000. All proceeds from the holiday raffle will be donated to Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico, a fund established as a partnership between the The Boston Foundation and the Latino Legacy Fund. Click here to view photos from the event.
Health Law Group lawyer Lisa M. Boyle was presented with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Medallion in recognition of her “unusually devoted service” which “has contributed greatly in helping youth to achieve a fuller and richer life through the positive guidance and influence of the Boys & Girls Club.” The honor was given during the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford Board of Trustees Annual Meeting on October 16, 2017 at The Pond House in West Hartford, Connecticut. For nearly 20 years, Ms. Boyle served on the Board of Trustees for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, including many years in which she served as the Board Secretary. During that time, Ms. Boyle established a summer internship program at Robinson+Cole for Boys & Girls Clubs participants as well as an annual holiday gift drive at the firm benefiting the children served by the organization.
Connecticut Legal Services (CLS), a private non-profit legal aid agency dedicated to helping low-income families and individuals meet their basic needs and be assured equal access to opportunities and justice, has appointed Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Peter R. Knight to its Board of Directors. Now in its 40th year, CLS provides comprehensive services to 58 percent of Connecticut’s poverty population living in 122 communities outside of greater Hartford and New Haven. The organization’s 47 lawyers, along with paralegals, legal assistants, and volunteers handle about 5,500 cases per year. Read more in the press release.
Teach for America - Connecticut, part of a national corps of leaders committed to teaching in low-income schools and confronting educational inequity, has appointed Labor and Employment Group lawyer Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson to its Advisory Board. Ms. Cole-Johnson was a member of the 2004 Teach for America corps and worked as a teacher in Atlanta, Georgia, prior to attending law school. Read more in the press release.
New York School for the Deaf (NYSD) recognized Government Relations Group lawyer Andrew S. Roffe during the school’s 200th Anniversary Celebration on October 5, 2017 at the Tappan Hill Mansion in Tarrytown, NY.
In receiving the honor, Mr. Roffe was referred to as a “loyal, dedicated, and cherished friend” of NYSD. He has served on the School’s board of trustees, and has provided pro bono counsel and advice throughout his almost 20 year relationship with the School. In addition, Mr. Roffe regularly visits with students to discuss the legislative process. Read more and view a photo in the press release.
The MetroHartford Alliance, the region’s leading business and economic development organization, has elected Business Litigation Group lawyer Eric D. Daniels to its Board of Directors. The mission of the MetroHartford Alliance is to ensure that the Hartford Region competes aggressively and successfully for jobs, capital, and talent so that it remains a premier place for all people to live, play, work, start and grow a business, and raise a family. Read more in the press release.
On September 27, nine Robinson+Cole lawyers and staff members volunteered their time to plan, purchase, prepare, and serve lunch at MANNA Community Meals (Community Meals), Hands On Hartford's soup kitchen, providing services for Hartford's homeless, working poor, and elderly populations. For the past four years, Real Estate and Development Group lawyer Candace M. Cunningham has coordinated the firm’s monthly volunteer service with Community Meals.
Read more and see photos in the press release.
The second annual George C. Hastings Community Service Award was presented to the Greater Hartford Legal Aid Foundation during Robinson+Cole’s alumni reunion on September 19, 2017 at Dunkin’ Donuts Park. The award bears the name of the firm’s former partner, George C. Hastings, who practiced at Robinson+Cole from 1957 until his retirement in 1995.
Mr. Hastings had a prolific career as a lawyer and a community leader for over 60 years. Regarding the Greater Hartford Legal Aid Foundation, Mr. Hastings became president of the organization’s board of directors in 1994 and served in that role until 1999. After that, Mr. Hastings remained active on the Greater Hartford Legal Aid Foundation’s board until 2016. He was also the founder and longtime board member of The Bridge Family Center, which received the inaugural George C. Hastings Community Service Award last year. Read more and view a photo in the press release.
The Children’s Law Center has elected Business Litigation Group lawyer Dan A. Brody to its Board of Directors. The mission of The Children’s Law Center is to protect low income children in family court cases and to advocate for systemic changes to the adversarial system and for other policies that advance the well-being of children involved in family transitions. Read more in the press release.
Public Finance Group lawyer Christie D. Jean was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of The Artists Collective. The Artists Collective, serving the Greater Hartford region, is a cultural organization that provides year-round professional training in dance, music, drama, and visual and martial arts. It works to safeguard and maintain the arts and culture of the African diaspora and to expose children to a nontraditional arts education by promoting social skills training, school success, and community responsibility. Read more in the press release.
The McGivney Community Center, an organization dedicated to fostering academic success and self-esteem in Bridgeport’s youth, elected Robinson+Cole business transactions lawyer Stephen E. Cooper to its Board of Directors on June 21, 2017. Founded nearly 25 years ago, the McGivney Community Center's goal is to nurture youth's intellectual, creative, and physical growth in order to promote success and expand their feelings of confidence, integrity, and character. Today, the McGivney Community Center serves more than 400 children on the east side of Bridgeport each year. Read more in the press release.
The Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity (LCD), an organization formed by lawyers to answer the call for diversity, has appointed Robinson+Cole lawyer John B. Lynch Jr. to its Board of Directors. The mission of the LCD is to unite the resources, energy and commitment of the State’s leading law firms, corporations, public sector entities, law schools, state and county bar associations, and affinity bar organizations in the joint mission of making Connecticut a more attractive place for attorneys of color, minorities, and women to practice law and find satisfying professional opportunities. Read more in the press release.
Conor O. Duffy, Edward V. O'Hanlan, and James P. Ray participated in THE RIDE For Our Vets, held on June 17, 2017 at Point72 in Stamford. Presented by the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center (CVLC,) the annual charity bike ride attracts approximately 100 cyclists. The Robinson+Cole lawyers raised about $1,400 in support of CVLC's efforts to help veterans recovering from homelessness and mental illness overcome legal barriers to housing, healthcare, and income. Unimin Corporation Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Richard Solazzo, also joined Mr. Duffy, Mr. O'Hanlan, and Mr. Ray on the 50 mile route. Mr. O'Hanlan serves on the CVLC Board of Directors. Click here to view a photo.
Hartford Stage, one of the nation’s leading resident theatres, elected Insurance + Reinsurance Group lawyer Rhonda J. Tobin to its Board of Directors during the theatre’s Annual Meeting on June 13, 2017. Hartford Stage is known for producing innovative revivals of classics and provocative new plays and musicals, including 73 world and American premieres, as well as offering a distinguished education program that reaches more than 20,000 students annually. Robinson+Cole has been a longtime supporter of Hartford Stage as a production sponsor for one of the theatre’s seasonal stage shows. Read more in the press release.
Four volunteers from Robinson+Cole participated in Junior Achievement’s (JA) first “Career Walk” in downtown Hartford on May 25, 2017. Christine E. Bromberg, Michael R. Enright, Richard Martinez II, and Sean C. Lawless shared highlights of their professional experience with nine students from Enfield High School.
The JA Career Walk gives students an opportunity to learn about different careers and get an inside look at local businesses. The program at Robinson+Cole featured a brief overview of the firm and its rich history. In addition to the practice of law, the students were introduced to some of the other professions that are integral the firm’s success such as information technology and business development and marketing. Read more and view a photo in the press release.
Members of the Environmental + Utilities Group participated in a community service project at Bushnell Park in Hartford on May 31, 2017. The group of volunteers, comprised of Alexander W. Judd, Peter R. Knight, Robert S. Melvin, Joey Lee Miranda, Earl W. Phillips Jr., James P. Ray, Jonathan H. Schaefer, and Emilee Mooney Scott, spent the afternoon working together to mulch flower beds and clean up the park’s playground area. As a thank you, the group was given a tour of the park’s Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch by Mary Zeman, manager of the Bushnell Park Foundation. The project is part of an effort by the Environmental + Utilities Group to participate in environmentally focused activities that serve the community. Click here to view photos.
Robinson+Cole lawyers Britt-Marie Cole-Johnson, Peter R. Knight, and Kathryn N. Mullin arranged to host two seniors from the Loomis Chaffee School, a co-ed independent boarding school in Windsor, CT, at the Hartford office on Thursday, May 18, 2017 as part of Alumni Shadow Day. All three lawyers are alumni of Loomis Chaffee and Ms. Cole-Johnson currently serves as a member of the school’s Head's Council. The students met with lawyers and staff representatives from the human resources, office administration, library, billing, accounting, information technology, and business development & marketing departments to get a better understanding of what it’s like to work at a law firm. In addition, the students were accompanied by Ms. Mullin on a visit to the chambers of Judge Alfred V. Covello, Senior U.S. District Judge for the District of Connecticut, and attend a sentencing hearing. Click here to view a photo.
The Junior League of Hartford (JLH) held its second-ever JLH Volunteerathon from Friday, May 5, through Saturday, May 6, 2017. For 26.2 hours straight, JLH members volunteered in shifts at various local nonprofit agencies serving the Greater Hartford community. Robinson+Cole lawyers Meaghan Mary Cooper, Emily C. Deans, and Taylor A. Shea, along with staff member Jessica Gagnon, were among the members of JLH who participated in the event.
Ms. Deans volunteered for two hours with Riverfront Recapture preparing materials for donors at its annual Big Mo’ event, two hours with Playhouse on Park organizing the prop and costume storage area, three hours with Camp Courant raking leaves and sprucing up the camp grounds, and two hours with the Capital City Education Alliance Let's Paint Program painting a principal’s office, as well as the main office, at the Burns Latino Studies Academy. In addition, Ms. Deans was the top fundraiser in the Provisional Class which is comprised of women who must complete certain requirements over the course of a year to retain active membership in JLH.
Ms. Cooper volunteered for two hours making pins for The Children’s Museum’s 90th Anniversary and preparing materials for the museum’s .90 cent day in May. She also spent two hours helping Girls on the Run Greater Hartford prepare for its Spring 5K by making tutus for the over 130 girls in the Girls on the Run program.
Ms. Shea was the volunteer shift leader for My Sisters’ Place and volunteered for two hours sorting, organizing, and stocking books in their children/resident’s reading room.
Ms. Gagnon spent two hours with the Community Farm of Simsbury (Gifts of Love) preparing their classroom and farm for the summer. She also volunteered two hours with the Capital City Education Alliance Let's Paint Program.
Jonathan Schaefer served as co-captain for the Robinson+Cole team in Foodshare's annual Walk Against Hunger, held on May 7, 2017. Joining Jonathan was Emily Deans, John DeBaise, and Jessie Gagnon, as well as some of their friends and family members. The Robinson+Cole team contributed $3,476 to aid in the fight against hunger through donations made by lawyers and staff. The funds raised will support Hands On Hartford and Foodshare. Click here to view photos.
The Connecticut Bar Foundation (CBF), an organization dedicated to enhancing the understanding and improvement of the law and supporting equal access to legal services, has appointed Robinson+Cole lawyer Edward J. Heath to its Board of Directors. In addition to serving on the board of directors, Mr. Heath is a Fellow of the CBF's James W. Cooper Fellows Program. Read more in the press release.
Business Litigation Group lawyer Eric D. Daniels co-hosted an event with First Lady Cathy Malloy at the Governor's Residence on April 5, 2017, to welcome Interval House's new CEO, Mary-Jane Foster, to the Hartford area. Over 100 guests, including Governor Dannel Malloy, Attorney General George Jepsen, and Robinson+Cole Managing Partner Stephen Goldman, attended the reception. Mr. Daniels is an honorary director and a founding member of Interval House's Men Make a Difference, Men Against Domestic Violence group.
Public Finance Group Lawyer Christie D. Jean recently became a member of the Urban League of Greater Hartford Young Professionals (ULGH-YP). This group comprises local talent and young professionals who support and promote the mission of ULGH-YP through social and civic engagement, specifically by promoting financial literacy and offering real-world education life skills and political education. The mission of the Urban League of Greater Hartford is to reduce economic disparities in communities through programs, services, and educational opportunities.
Channel 3 Kids Camp, an organization committed to improving the quality of life for children, has appointed Robinson+Cole lawyer Scott N. Siedor to its Board of Directors.
The mission of Channel 3 Kids Camp is to provide fun, year-round opportunities to children of all abilities, families, and communities through educational and recreational programs that promote diversity, acceptance, and environmental appreciation. Today, Channel 3 Kids Camp serves more than 3,500 children year-round on a 150-acre campus located in Andover and Coventry.
Robinson+Cole honored Rachel Robinson, founder of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, with its third Giving Cup Award during a reception at The Palace Theatre in Stamford on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Mrs. Robinson is a longtime Stamford resident and philanthropist and the widow of national American icon Jackie Robinson. She has spent a lifetime giving back to her community, inspiring generations of youth, and enabling others to realize their full potential.
Accepting the award on Rachel Robinson’s behalf was her daughter, Sharon Robinson. Along with a commemorative set of Jefferson Cups, the firm presented Ms. Robinson with a check for $5,000 to support the Jackie Robinson Foundation. Over $1,300 in donations to the JRF was also collected from guest contributions made during the reception.
At the reception, Ms. Robinson spoke about the foundation’s work which supports about 250 scholars each year and has a nearly perfect graduation rate. Read more in the full release. Click here for photos from the event.
On Saturday, January 28, 2017, J. Michael Wirvin, Matthew J. Lawlor, and Kendra L. Berardi accompanied by their significant others, attended the annual John & Abigail Adams Benefit at the Museum of Fine Arts. Hosted by the Boston Bar Foundation, the event is the largest of its kind in the Boston area, with 100 percent of the proceeds funding direct grants awarded to local organizations that serve thousands of individuals and families struggling with critical issues such as homelessness, domestic violence, and various forms of injustice. Click here to view a photo from the event.
Finance lawyer Keisha S. Palmer has been appointed to the board of directors of the Connecticut Retirement Security Authority (CRSA) by House Majority Leader, Matt Ritter.
“Keisha Palmer has accepted a very challenging, very important assignment,” Rep. Ritter said. “There are fewer and fewer employer sponsored retirement plans – meaning more and more Connecticut residents are nervously looking ahead at their retirement years. Keisha and the other members of the CRSA will be working to make sure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy retirement.”
“Given the significant number of State residents without access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan, the Connecticut Retirement Security Program is a great way to facilitate retirement saving among this underserved segment of our population. I look forward to contributing my skillset to the betterment of my fellow citizens as a board member of the Authority,” Palmer said. Read more in the press release.
For the 13th consecutive year, Robinson+Cole spread holiday cheer to more than 170 children from the Northwest Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford by providing them with holiday gifts. Once again, the Hartford office met its goal of fulfilling every child’s “wish” thanks to the generosity of lawyers and staff. Presents ranged from dolls and action figures to sports equipment and remote controlled cars. Health Law Group members Lisa M. Boyle and Brian D. Nichols coordinated the gift drive. Click here to see photos of some of the children receiving their gifts.
Robinson+Cole lawyer Eric D. Daniels is chairing the 90th Anniversary Human Relations Award Banquet, hosted by the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), on April 20, 2017, at the Marriott Downtown in Hartford.
The annual banquet includes the presentation of awards to individuals in the community who have distinguished themselves by treating others with open-mindedness and respect, showing leadership by example, and demonstrating diligence in their fight for human rights and equality. Read more in the press release.
Business Transactions Group lawyer Joseph B. White was reappointed judge for a ninth term in the Municipal Court of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, where he has served 18 years on the bench. The Municipal Court handles zoning, housing, and traffic cases, as well as ordinance violations and misdemeanors. In addition, Mr. White was recently recognized by the ABA's Special Judicial Division for his work with the National Safety Council in implementing an online driver safety program now being used in numerous cities and towns throughout the State of Rhode Island.
Nuala E. Droney and James R. Nault have been recognized for their outstanding service as pro bono counsel by the judges of the District of Connecticut. Both lawyers were recently named runners-up for the district’s biennial Pro Bono Award. In a letter sent to each of them, Chief Judge Janet C. Hall said “Our District is very fortunate to have outstanding lawyers willing to donate their time and resources to represent those in need.” Nominations for the pro bono award are made by district and magistrate judges
Insurance Group lawyer Dana M. Horton, along with legal administrative assistant Brenda Vucci, organized the Providence office's participation in the December 2016 Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive at Children's Friend. Lawyers and staff members brightened the holidays of a single mom and her four small children by purchasing presents for all of them. In addition, they gave the family a grocery store gift card for $235. The Rhode Island Women's Bar Association sponsored the drive. Please click here to see the display of generosity in the Providence office.
Children's Friend is a nonprofit organization that serves Rhode Island children and families who face overwhelming obstacles in their lives, from poverty and language barriers to lack of education and substance abuse.
The Village for Families & Children (The Village), a nonprofit that helps over 8,000 children and at-risk families throughout the Greater Hartford region each year, has appointed Robinson+Cole managing partner Stephen E. Goldman to its Board of Directors.
The mission of The Village is “to build a community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children.” Founded is 1809, The Village was one of the first organizations in the country to provide homes for neglected children. Today, it provides a full range of behavioral health treatment for children and youth, foster care and adoption, and community support services for children and their families in the Greater Hartford region.
Health Law Group lawyer Meaghan Mary Cooper co-hosted an Interval House reception on December 4, 2016, in West Hartford. Approximately 40 people attended the event, including Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen, West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, and Robinson+Cole lawyers Keisha S. Palmer and Frank F. Coulom, and over $4,000 was raised. Interval House offers services to prevent and break the cycle of family and intimate partner abuse. Robinson+Cole provides pro bono legal services to Interval House and partners with the organization on the firm’s Domestic Violence Restraining Order Program. Ms. Cooper serves on the Interval House's Board of Directors.
The First Tee of Connecticut, a nonprofit organization that has reached out to more than 70,000 young people through the game of golf, has appointed Robinson+Cole lawyer Kenneth C. Baldwin to its Board of Directors.
The First Tee of Connecticut’s mission is to positively influence the lives of young individuals of all backgrounds throughout Connecticut by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through golf.
Labor and Employment Group lawyer Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson has accepted an invitation to serve as a member of the Head's Council at Loomis Chaffee, her alma mater. The Head's Council is a select group of alumni and parents tasked with providing valuable input and advice on critical issues of concern for Loomis Chaffee. She will serve a two-year term. Loomis Chaffee is a renowned independent, co-educational college preparatory boarding and day school for grades 9 through 12 located in Windsor, Connecticut.
Robinson+Cole lawyers and staff members participated in Junior Achievement (JA) Day at Parkville Community School in Hartford on November 18, 2016. This was the firm's 12th JA/R+C Day and 11th visit to the elementary school. Seven volunteers from the firm taught approximately 75 students in kindergarten through second grade a JA-developed curriculum focused on promoting financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness. Robinson+Cole partner Christine E. Bromberg is a member of the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of Southwest New England.
See a photo and read more in the press release.
Trust + Estates Group lawyer Jeanmarie B. Shea co-chaired the 2016 Mark Twain House & Museum 2016 Annual Gala, held at The Bushnell on November 12, 2016. The proceeds from the evening, which featured a performance by Ira Glass, host of NPR's This American Life, will benefit the educational and cultural programs and the vital preservation efforts at The Mark Twain House & Museum. Robinson+Cole was a key sponsor of this highly successful event. Ms. Shea serves as secretary of the Board of Trustees for The Mark Twain House & Museum.
Business Litigation Group lawyer Amanda E. Gordon chaired The Open Hearth's fourth annual gala on November 4, 2016. The Open Hearth is the oldest organization in Hartford providing housing and supportive services for men. Amanda is a member of The Open Hearth's Board of Directors.
Business Litigation Group lawyer Steven J. Boyajian was elected to the Barrington, Rhode Island, Town Council on November 8, 2016. In a race that included six candidates, including two incumbents, he received the most votes. Voters could choose three candidates on the ballot, with the top three vote-getters being elected to the five-member council. Mr. Boyajian will serve a four-year term.
At the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence's (CCADV) 6th Annual Breakfast & Awards Ceremony on November 4, 2016, Environmental + Utilities Group lawyer Kenneth C. Baldwin was named to the organization's First 100 Plus Class of 2016. The event recognizes male and female leaders working to improve the lives of domestic violence victims across Connecticut. Mr. Baldwin is a member of CCADV's board.
Business Litigation Group lawyer Steven J. Boyajian has been elected to the Board of Directors of Day One, Rhode Island’s leading organization committed to reducing sexual abuse and violence and supporting those affected by it. Day One, formerly known as the Rape Crisis Center of Rhode Island, has undertaken groundbreaking initiatives to ease the psychological burdens of the criminal justice process for victims of childhood sexual abuse and has been a leader in combating the commercial sexual exploitation of children. The organization offers a 24-hour helpline, legal and law enforcement advocacy programs, counseling, professional training sessions, and prevention education.
Robinson+Cole was a sponsor of the Ninth Annual Feast from the Fields, held on September 17, 2016, in New Haven, Connecticut. This event celebrates community, sustainability, and the harvest season, and supports the mission and work of Common Ground, an organization dedicated to cultivating "habits of healthy living and sustainable environmental practice among a diverse community of children, families, and adults." Common Ground provides an environment of learning and leadership, engaging all members of the community, including elementary, middle, and high school students; the general public; and environmental practitioners. Over $77,000 was raised from this year's Feast from the Fields. The funds will help support Common Ground and its programs.
Robinson+Cole Real Estate + Development lawyer Mimi M. Lines and Construction Group lawyer Gregory R. Faulkner, along with his wife, Donna, attended the feast. Robinson+Cole represented Common Ground in the drafting and negotiation of the design and construction agreements for the construction of its new facility in New Haven.
The New Haven Chamber of Commerce's Health Care Council and Human Resources Council hosted the presentation "Flu Prevention in the Workplace: Taking care of your employees, your customers and your bottom line" on September 30, 2016. Robinson+Cole lawyer Abby M. Warren, along with Andy Tarutis of the Mary Wade Home and Deirdre Gruber and Terry Cooper of the City of New Haven's Health Department, provided employers with valuable tips and suggestions to consider in preventing, planning, and responding to seasonal flu. Click here to register.
Ms. Warren, a labor and employment lawyer in the firm's Hartford office, is chair of the New Haven Chamber of Commerce's Human Resources Council.
At a recent meeting of its partners, Robinson+Cole announced the establishment and inaugural presentation of the George C. Hastings Community Service Award. The award bears the name of the firm’s former partner, George C. Hastings, who practiced at the firm from 1957 until his retirement in 1995.
The George C. Hastings Community Service Award will be presented annually to a community service organization that has made an outstanding contribution to serving Greater Hartford. The first recipient of the award was The Bridge Family Center, a comprehensive, regional nonprofit agency that provides a broad range of services for children and families throughout the Greater Hartford area. Mr. Hastings, a founder and longtime board member of The Bridge, presented the award, on behalf of the firm, to the organization's executive director, Margaret Hann.
Read more about the award and its inaugural presentation in the press release here.
Public finance lawyer Christie D. Jean presented at the University of Connecticut School of Law's 2016 Incoming Student Orientation on August 25, 2016. Ms. Jean talked about the importance of maintaining individualism while in law school and encouraged the students to use their personal and professional voices to speak out against injustice throughout the remainder of their legal careers. She also discussed the power of individual narratives and how the use of story and truth telling transforms their collective experience and provides richer and more meaningful conversations in the classroom.
With a faculty of diverse backgrounds, specialties, and intellectual talents, the University of Connecticut School of Law offers multiple teaching styles and approaches, resulting in a rich selection of courses, including clinical instruction, skills training, and interdisciplinary work.
Robinson+Cole is a proud sponsor of the American Red Cross's Rhode Island Chapter Centennial Celebration. This century-of-service milestone marks the 100-year anniversary of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Red Cross. The event takes place on Saturday, September 17, 2016, in Newport, Rhode Island, at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Robinson+Cole is delighted to be able to support the good work that the American Red Cross does in the state of Rhode Island, where we have a significant office and client presence.
The American Red Cross administers compassionate care to those in need, specifically in the areas of providing aid to victims of disasters; supporting military members, their families, and veterans; supplying about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaching skills that save lives; and providing international humanitarian aid.
Jacqueline Pennino Scheib, intellectual property and technology partner in the firm's Hartford office, serves on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Red Cross.
The New Haven Chamber of Commerce's Human Resource Council hosted a presentation on teamwork at its South Central Connecticut Regional office on September 9, 2016. "Team 'Work'" was a fast-paced and interactive session, focusing on the fundamentals of building a high-performing team. Tracy Knofla, who facilitated the event, is a sought-after speaker, author, and facilitator and the co-owner of High Impact Training.
Labor and employment lawyer Abby M. Warren is chair of the New Haven Chamber of Commerce's Human Resources Council.
Interval House, Connecticut’s largest domestic violence intervention and prevention agency, has appointed Meaghan Mary Cooper to its Board of Directors for a two-year term. Founded in 1977, Interval House has positively affected the lives of nearly 200,000 women and children who have experienced psychological and physical abuse at the hands of a domestic or intimate partner.
Read more in the full release.
The Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society has appointed Robinson+Cole associate Devin M. Karas to its Board of Trustees for a three-year term. Committed to preserving and sharing West Hartford history, the local museum serves approximately 10,000 school children and thousands of visitors from around the world each year.
Read more in the full release.
Christie D. Jean led a three-part seminar at the 2016 Young Women's Leadership Corporation (YWLC) Summer Institute, a teaching and training course of study sponsored by the YWCA Hartford Region. This five-week academic program helps teenage girls develop leadership skills, prepare for college and careers, and establish an active, healthy lifestyle. Ms. Jean’s presentations covered the following: on July 14, 2016, they taught the students about the fundamentals of effective debating; on July 21, they instructed them on the importance of mutual respect and graciously challenging one another while debating; and on August 4, they hosted a formal debate at the University of Connecticut School of Law and gave the students the opportunity to employ all the tools and strategies discussed in the prior sessions.
Robinson+Cole was a sponsor of the 2016 Connecticut Green Circle Sustainability Awards. The winners of the awards were recognized at a presentation held at Infinity Hall in Hartford, Connecticut, on May 23, 2016. The Hartford Business Journal and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection teamed up to present the awards, which recognize businesses that take a coordinated and holistic approach to reduce their environmental impact and the resource demands of their operations and activities. Firm lawyers in attendance were Joey Lee Miranda, Brian C. Freeman, Dwight H. Merriam, and Martin A. Onorato. Please click here to view the full list of winners and finalists listed on the Hartford Business Journal's website. Click here to view photos from the event.
Environmental and utilities lawyer George W. Watson III has been elected to Grow Smart RI's Board of Directors for a three-year term. Grow Smart Rhode RI's mission is to promote equitable economic growth by advocating for compact development in revitalized urban, town, and village centers balanced with responsible stewardship of the region's natural assets. The Board of Directors are charged with helping Grow Smart RI achieve its mission.
To celebrate its 95th anniversary serving the Greater Hartford community, the Junior League of Hartford held its first-ever JLH Volunteerathon Friday, May 6, through Saturday, May 7, 2016. For 26.2 hours around the clock, JLH members volunteered in shifts at various local nonprofit agencies, helping with everything from organizing books and historical records, to painting, planting gardens, setting up events, and working directly with the clients the organizations serve. Robinson+Cole lawyers Meaghan Mary Cooper and Taylor A. Shea, and staff member Jessica Gagnon, are members of the Junior League of Hartford and participated in the event that not only served local agencies but also was a fundraiser for the JLH's community programs and projects, currently focused on Empowering Women and Girls to Overcome Obstacles.
Ms. Cooper volunteered at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore late Friday night and at HARC on Saturday morning, Ms. Shea did two shifts at My Sister's Place on Friday evening, and Ms. Gagnon volunteered at Hartford's Riverfront Recapture, HARC, and The Clothes Horse on Saturday. Other organizations benefiting from the Volunteerathon included Gifts of Love, Hartford's Camp Courant, Junior Achievement, the New Children's Museum, the John J. Driscoll United Labor Agency's Labor of Love Backpack Program, and YWCA Hartford. Click here to see pictures.
The Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association (CHBA) recently announced its new board members for the 2016–2017 year. Labor and employment lawyer Sandra Marin was elected and employee benefits lawyer Virginia E. McGarrity was reelected to the association's Board of Directors. Ms. Marin served as treasurer of the CHBA board for the 2015-2016 year. Ms. McGarrity is a former CHBA president.
The CHBA's goal is to enhance the visibility of Hispanic lawyers throughout Connecticut, to facilitate communication and sharing of information and resources among its members, to mentor new attorneys and law students, and to help the public and private sectors achieve diversity in their law firms and legal departments. In addition, the CHBA assists the Hispanic community in gaining access to the courts, achieving judicial diversity, and facing social challenges.
Robinson+Cole was a supporting sponsor of Spotlight Soirée, The Palace Theatre's annual gala and largest fundraiser, in Stamford, Connecticut, on March 31, 2016. The program began with the 2016 Arts Ovation Award, presented to RFR Realty for its generous contributions to both the community of Stamford and to the arts. The featured entertainment for the evening was Ben Vereen, who performed his one-man show "Steppin' Out with Ben Vereen." Additionally, a local troupe of dancers entertained at the cocktail party and later performed an interpretive dance onstage. Proceeds from the gala benefit The Palace Theatre and its arts education programs, providing children and teens the opportunity to express themselves through music, dance, drama, and playwriting as well helping them learn life success skills.
Eric M. Kogan, chair of the Business Transactions Group, was Robinson+Cole's primary organizer for the Spotlight Soirée, which the firm sponsors every year. He, along with business litigation lawyer Thomas J. Donlon, were in attendance. Mr. Kogan is a member of the Stamford Center for the Arts' Board of Directors.
The Boys & Girls Club of Stamford (BGCS) held its annual "City Chic" gala on March 24, 2016, at The Palace Theatre Stage in Stamford, Connecticut. The event is BGCS's largest annual fundraiser. The evening featured entertainment, a silent auction, and raffles and then culminated with the presentation of awards given to companies and individuals who have provided outstanding support to BGCS and its programs. Real estate lawyer Steven L. Elbaum presented the Guardian of the Community Award to Dominic Franchella, owner of Stamford Ford Lincoln, who has hosted charitable events, purchased and delivered holiday gifts, and provided numerous other services to the families and children of the BGCS community. Please click here to see a photo of Mr. Elbaum at the podium.
The Boys & Girls Club of Stamford has provided after-school activities and development services to youth in need since 1927. Its mission is to help young people in Stamford become productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Mr. Elbaum is a member and past president of BGCS's Board of Directors.
Hartford energy and utilities lawyer Alexander W. Judd has been elected secretary of the Board of Directors of the Hartford Preservation Alliance. The Hartford Preservation Alliance is a professionally operated, volunteer-assisted 501(c)(3) organization that relies on its membership to support its programs, activities, and services. Its mission is to revitalize the historic fabric of Hartford, connect its citizens to the city's heritage, and collaborate to influence community economic development by providing historic preservation and revitalization technical assistance, education, and advocacy to those who live and work in Hartford. It envisions a thriving Hartford whose future prosperity builds on its rich heritage through its historically significant architecture, sites, and neighborhoods.
Mr. Judd has been a board member of the Hartford Preservation Alliance since 2015.
Eric D. Daniels, chair of Robinson+Cole's Products Liability Group, will chair the 2016 Greater Hartford Arts Council Campaign. In this role, he will lead the community-wide fundraising effort for the Arts Council, which supports more than 150 local arts, cultural, and heritage organizations in the capital region. The campaign counts on the support of corporations and businesses, government and private foundations, and individuals to promote and sustain the arts. Mr. Daniels is a longtime advocate for the Arts Council and serves as a member of its Board of Governors. "We’re proud to have Eric and Robinson+Cole leading the 2016 Campaign. They have long understood the importance of the arts to our region and Robinson+Cole's ongoing commitment to the United Arts Campaign is an outstanding demonstration of their corporate leadership," said Cathy Malloy, chief executive officer of the Greater Hartford Arts Council.
The Greater Hartford Arts Council promotes the power of the arts as a way to improve the cities and towns in Greater Hartford, to celebrate the cultural diversity of the region, and to educate families, making this area a vibrant place to live, work, and visit. As part of its ongoing commitment to stronger communities, Robinson+Cole has supported the United Arts Campaign for more than 30 years.
Robinson+Cole lawyer Matthew J. Guanci, Jr., has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Conference for Community and Justice's (NCCJ) Connecticut/Western Massachusetts chapter. The NCCJ is a human relations organization that promotes inclusion and acceptance by providing education and advocacy while building communities that are respectful and just for all. Through advocacy, conflict resolution, and education, it advocates understanding and respect among all races, religions, and cultures. As the first NCCJ region established in the country, the Connecticut/Western Massachusetts chapter has a strong 80-year history.
Robinson+Cole, as it has done for 12 consecutive years, met its goal of providing gifts to more than 130 needy children from the Northwest Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. Presents ranged from dolls and kitchen sets to sports equipment and battery-operated helicopters, putting a smile on the faces of all the boys and girls. Lisa M. Boyle coordinated the firm's drive in the Hartford office. She was aided by lawyers and staff, who bought and wrapped gifts to fulfill each child's gift wish.
The Boys & Girls Clubs work to help Hartford youth, especially the most vulnerable, reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens by providing programs in a safe environment that nurture character, leadership, fitness, and life skills. Ms. Boyle is chair of Robinson+Cole's Health Law Group and a board member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford's Board of Trustees.
Katherine C. Bailey, Kendra L. Berardi, Lawrence P. Heffernan, John E. O’Brien, Jr., and Kathryn M. Rattigan represented the firm when they walked with hundreds of lawyers to the Massachusetts State House in the 17th Annual Walk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid on January 28, 2016. At the State House, participants urged lawmakers to protect state funding for civil legal aid. Many low-income individuals need civil legal aid when they face various civil legal problems, such as loss of housing, domestic abuse, access to veterans' benefits, unemployment appeals, and wage and hour disputes. By providing lawyers and legal advice to people living at or near the federal poverty level, civil legal aid programs enhance the ability of clients to access justice and can serve as a powerful tool to combat poverty. Click here to view a photo of Robinson+Cole lawyers at the State House.
The Walk to the Hill event was sponsored by the Equal Justice Coalition, the Massachusetts Bar Association, and the Boston Bar Association.
Robinson+Cole business litigation lawyer James R. Nault has been elected to the Board of Directors of Our Shoreline Community Association (OSCA), a nonprofit organization started by the Honorable Timothy Bates, a former Robinson+Cole partner, and others in 2001. OSCA is dedicated to enhancing the independent lives of seniors in the southeast Connecticut area by offering the support and security of a retirement community in their own homes. It does this by providing free rides to doctor and other important appointments, free handyman services, social events, and other services. Social events include monthly lunches and dinners as well as visits to museums and the theater, among other events. OSCA is a member of the Village to Village Network, an association that helps and supports about 100 operating senior assistance "villages" like OSCA across the United States, with about 120 more in development.
Insurance lawyer Dana M. Horton, along with legal assistant Brenda Vucci, organized the Providence office's participation in the December 2015 Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive at Children's Friend. Lawyers and staff brightened the holidays of a three-year-old boy by donating everything on his list—and more. The Rhode Island Women's Bar Association sponsored the drive. Please click here to see the display of generosity in the Providence office.
This event, which started over 15 years ago when gift baskets were distributed to a few families, has developed into a large operation that includes selecting needy families and reviewing and approving wish lists, all made possible with a staffed agency and volunteers. Sponsors are matched with families who currently receive services from Children's Friend, a nonprofit organization that serves Rhode Island children and families who face overwhelming obstacles in their lives, from poverty and language barriers to lack of education and substance abuse.
Business litigation Lawyer Amanda E. Gordon chaired The Open Hearth's 2015 Hearth and Home Gala on November 13, 2015. Approximately 150 people attended the event, themed "Motown Downtown," which was held at The Hartford Club. Proceeds from the gala helped fund The Open Hearth in its mission to help homeless men and ex-offenders in Greater Hartford and Connecticut enhance their capacity for self-help, self-respect, and dignity to achieve their full potential as responsible citizens of the state. This is uniquely accomplished by providing a temporary residential community in a recovery and work-oriented environment.
Ms. Gordon is on the Board of Directors of The Open Hearth.
Real estate lawyer Steven L. Elbaum chaired the 2015 Champions of Youth Sports Breakfast, where the Stamford Boys & Girls Club honored Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman at its annual appeal kick-off event on November 5, 2015. Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBC Sports Group and past honoree, presented the award. Bobby Valentine, former professional baseball player and manager, and currently the athletic director at Sacred Heart University, was the emcee.
Mr. Elbaum is the immediate past president of the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford's Board of Directors. More than 300 business leaders attended the event, which raised $150,000. The Boys & Girls Club of Stamford provides after-school activities and development services to Stamford's youth, focusing on academic success, good character, citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. Please click here to view a photo from the breakfast.
Robinson+Cole hosted a groundbreaking training session on November 2, 2015, for more than 35 lawyers interested in representing victims of domestic violence seeking restraining orders (orders from relief from abuse) in Connecticut. The program's goal was to encourage lawyers at other firms to model their own pro bono programs after Robinson+Cole's successful Domestic Violence Restraining Order Program. The training featured presentations by the Honorable Elizabeth A. Bozzuto of the Connecticut Superior Court, the Greater Hartford Legal Aid, the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Robinson+Cole. The Connecticut Bar Association's Young Lawyers Section co-sponsored the program. Attendees included lawyers from other major law firms, in-house corporate counsel, and Judicial Branch Court Operations.
Robinson+Cole lawyers in attendance included Kelly Frye Barnett, Edward J. Heath, Eric D. Daniels, Jenna L. Veronneau, J. Tyler Butts, Jessica A. R. Hamilton, Andrew A. DePeau, Jonathan E. Small, Kathleen E. Dion, James R. Nault, Amanda E. Gordon, Catrina Cartegena Kohn, and Frank F. Coulom Jr.
In response to the New York Times article "Sentencing Overhaul Proposed in Senate with Bipartisan Backing," published on October 2, 2015, business litigation lawyer Brian E. Moran wrote a letter to the editor praising the efforts of the U.S. Senate to reform the outdated, illogical prison sentencing laws. The article reports on legislation unveiled by a bipartisan group that would rehabilitate the country's criminal justice system. Please click here to view the article.
In his letter, published on October 13, Mr. Moran states that passage of this bill could significantly reduce the more than 60 percent of nonviolent drug offenders serving time in our prisons. Beyond the legislation, he emphasizes the need to reinvest in drug and mental health treatments, community support and supervision, and housing options, along with remedying the obstacles that ex-offenders face when looking for jobs. Click here to view his letter.
Mr. Moran is the author of The Justice Imperative: How Hyper-Incarceration Has Hijacked the American Dream.
Robinson+Cole litigation lawyer Kathleen E. Dion has been elected to the KNOX Board of Directors. Using horticulture as a catalyst for community engagement, KNOX provides leadership and forges partnerships between residents, businesses, and the government to build stronger, greener, healthier, and more beautiful neighborhoods in Hartford. Learn more in the news release.
Intellectual property partner Jacqueline P. Scheib joined Mario Bruno, the chief executive officer of the American Red Cross, Connecticut and Rhode Island Chapters, and Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy at the signing ceremony for Connecticut Senate Bill 962. This legislation amends the current requirements for subjects taught in Connecticut schools to add the teaching of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Adding CPR to the curriculum contributes to deeper understanding of the risks that can trigger a need for CPR and also places life-saving knowledge into the hands of a large portion of our society.
Ms. Scheib is a member of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Employment litigation lawyer Stephen W. Aronson was honored on June 11, 2015, as an outgoing board member by the Jewish Teen Learning Connection, Inc. (JTConnect), formerly known as the Yachad Greater Hartford Jewish Community High School, Inc. Mr. Aronson had served as a board member since 2009. He co-chaired the board's governance and bylaws committees and was a member of its publicity and outreach committee. JTConnect provides high school–level programming for Jewish teens throughout Greater Hartford and beyond; serves 300 teens in a variety of classroom, social services, and other settings; and provides programming services for teens and faculty, representing 15-area synagogues.
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts has named Robinson+Cole partner Jeffrey J. White to its Board of Overseers. Mr. White was elected to the board at The Bushnell's Annual Meeting on June 10, 2015.
Robinson+Cole is a long-standing supporter of The Bushnell, and Mr. White's appointment to the board further strengthens the firm's commitment to the performing arts center. Robinson+Cole partner Eric D. Daniels is already involved with The Bushnell as an officer and member of the Board ofTrustees. Additionally, the firm has been the title sponsor of The Bushnell Family Series for the past 15 seasons.
The Providence Business News has selected Robinson+Cole as the #1 Best Place to Work in Rhode Island in the small employer category for the second consecutive year. The winners were announced at a celebratory dinner on June 10, 2015, and featured in the June 15 edition of the Providence Business News.
"We are thrilled to have received this honor for the second year in a row," said Patricia J. Igoe, a partner in the Providence office. "Our team in Providence is a committed group of individuals who work together to deliver exceptional service to our clients while also fostering a congenial environment that makes going to work every day a pleasure." Read more in the news release.
Robinson+Cole was a sponsor of the Fifth Annual Big Tent Jubilee at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, held on June 4, 2015, in Hartford, Connecticut. The third biennial Stowe Prize for Writing to Advance Social Justice was presented to Ta-Nehisi Coates, national correspondent for The Atlantic. Mr. Coates "consistently and thoughtfully examines cultural, social and political issues." This prize, awarded biennially to a U.S. author whose written work has significantly affected a critical social justice issue, as Stowe did in her book Uncle Tom's Cabin, was established in 2011 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Stowe's birth. Employee benefits lawyer Virginia E. McGarrity represented the firm at the event. Among the many attendees were Governor Dannel Malloy and John Dankosky, news director of WNPR.
Ms. McGarrity is secretary of the Stowe Center's Board of Trustees and has served on the board since January 2013. Proceeds from the Big Tent Jubilee benefit the Stowe Center's education programs, which inspire civic responsibility for children and adults.
Boston inner-city middle school students went to court to argue a hypothetical First Amendment case in which a student sues his school district after he is suspended for wearing a shirt with a bull's eye logo and the words "Fight the Power." The students learned to exercise their First Amendment rights with coaching from Robinson+Cole lawyers. This was the fourth consecutive year that lawyers from the Boston office of Robinson+Cole taught Discovering Justice's "Stand Up for Your Rights" program.
Robinson+Cole was a supporting sponsor of the Sixth Annual Palace Theatre Gala in Stamford, Connecticut on May 2, 2015. This evening of entertainment began with a display of classic cars and ended with a live performance by Jay Leno. In addition, John and Lynn DiMenna were honored for their lifetime support of the Palace Theatre and its many programs. Proceeds from the gala benefited the Palace Theatre and its arts education programs.
In attendance at the benefit were Robinson+Cole lawyers Eric M. Kogan, Eric J. Dale, Andrew L. Kramer, Brian E. Moran, Steven L. Elbaum, and Thomas J. Donlon. Mr. Kogan has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Stamford Center for the Arts for the last five years.
Real estate and development lawyer Thomas P. Cody and Joe Marfuggi co-wrote the op-ed article "What's Recaptured Riverfront Worth? $7.25 Million and Change," published in the Hartford Courant on May 21, 2015. In the article, Mr. Cody and Mr. Marfuggi discuss the importance of Riverfront Recapture and the economic impact that a revitalized riverfront has had on the region. An economic impact study recently released by the state Department of Economic and Community Development shows that in 2014 riverfront activity contributed $7.25 million to the economy and created 111 jobs. In addition, development in surrounding areas has expanded with new housing, new office and retail space, a revitalized Front Street, and a new downtown presence for UConn and Trinity college. In short, the study demonstrates that, while the riverfront is well known as a vibrant place teeming with activity, it has also become an economic catalyst for Greater Hartford.
The goal of Riverfront Recapture, a nonprofit established 34 years ago, is to reconnect the community to the river. Mr. Cody is chair of Riverfront Recapture's Board of Directors. Mr. Marfuggi is president and CEO of Riverfront Recapture, and is retiring later this month.
Business litigation lawyer James R. Nault represented the firm at a National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) event, the Night of Giving Reception, held in the Hartford office of Jackson Lewis P.C. on May 5, 2015. In lieu of a registration fee, attendees at the reception, which benefited Interval House Connecticut, were asked to bring gift cards for area grocery stores, drug stores, and department stores; sheets, blankets, and comforters; and pajamas for women and children.
At the reception, which Robinson+Cole co-sponsored, Cecile Enrico, the executive director of Interval House, and Karen Jarmoc, the chief executive officer of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV), both spoke about the work their organizations do to combat domestic violence and expressed appreciation for the support they get from the firm and other contributors.
NAWL promotes the interests and progress of women lawyers and women's legal rights. Interval House works to prevent and break the cycle of family and intimate partner abuse by providing a 24-hour hotline, crisis counseling, emergency shelter, support groups, advocacy, criminal and civil court advocacy, information and referrals, community education, and a program for the children of clients.
Business litigation lawyer Brian E. Moran presented at the "Malta Justice Initiative Legislative Breakfast Forum" at the state Capitol on March 26, 2015, where he spoke about his book The Justice Imperative: How Hyper-Incarceration Has Hijacked the American Dream. The forum, which focused on criminal justice reforms that the Malta Justice Initiative supports, was sponsored by Senators Martin Looney and Leonard Fasano, the top Democrat and Republican, respectively, in the state Senate. Please click here to view a video of the forum.
Additionally, Mr. Moran was the featured speaker in the second program of "Criminal Justice & Corrections System in Connecticut: A Two-Part Series," sponsored by the Justice & Law Club of Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Connecticut, on April 1, 2015. Mr. Moran talked about his book The Justice Imperative and Connecticut's criminal justice system. In the first program, presented on March 31, 2015, two formerly incarcerated women who were featured in Wally Lamb's book Couldn't Keep It to Myself: Testimonies from Our Imprisoned Sisters shared their stories before, during, and after spending time in prison.
Mr. Moran also spoke on April 10, 2015, at a colloquium on criminal justice reform hosted by Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. The program included John Santa, a member of Connecticut's Sentencing Commission, and two ex-offenders. Click here to view a photo from the event.
Megan R. Naughton, co-chair of Robinson+Cole’s Immigration Group, has joined Connecticut’s Statewide Legal Services (SLS) Board of Directors. SLS empowers low-income people in Connecticut to obtain justice by providing tools and information to address their civil legal needs. The nonprofit legal aid advice and referral center, available by phone to low-income people throughout Connecticut, helps clients solve their legal problems for free. Read more in the news release.
Robinson+Cole recognized its commitment to diversity, education, and community at a private reception prior to the Hartford Stage performance of The Pianist of Willesden Lane on April 7, 2015. Robinson+Cole, a longtime supporter of Hartford Stage, was a production sponsor for The Pianist of Willesden Lane.
During the reception, Managing Partner John B. Lynch Jr. presented a check for $2,500 to Rie Poirier-Campbell, executive director of Hartford Performs. The donation will help support Hartford Performs in its mission to provide quality arts education programs to Hartford Public School students through arts integration, in-school arts instruction, and out-of-school arts programming. Robinson+Cole construction lawyer Lisa B. Andrzejewski is a member of the Board of Directors of Hartford Performs. Read more in the news release.
The Hartford Preservation Alliance (HPA) has elected Robinson+Cole lawyer Alexander W. Judd to its board of directors. The mission of HPA is to revitalize the historic fabric of Hartford, connect its citizens to the city's heritage, and collaborate to impact community economic development.
Mr. Judd is a member of Robinson+Cole's Environmental and Utilities Group, representing clients in the areas of energy, utilities, and telecommunications law. While attending the University of Connecticut School of Law, he received the CALI Award for Excellence for Renewable Energy and Green Building, International Environmental Law, Land Use, and Historic Preservation Law and Public Policy.
Connecticut Senate Minority Leader Leonard Fasano has reappointed Robinson+Cole lawyer Patrick M. Birney to the Connecticut Lottery Corporation's (CLC) Board of Directors, and the board unanimously elected him vice chair at its most recent board meeting. Mr. Birney has been a member of the CLC Board of Directors since October 2007 and previously served as chair of its Finance Committee. Read more in the press release here.
Robinson+Cole partner Brian E. Moran received the Bridgeport Reentry Collaborative's Urdang-Torres Community Impact Award on March 27, 2015, at the Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, Connecticut, for his book The Justice Imperative: How Hyper-Incarceration Has Hijacked the American Dream. This award honors a person, agency, or advocate who has worked tirelessly to promote the betterment of those reentering society from incarceration. Please click here to view a photo from the event.
In The Justice Imperative, Mr. Moran and the Malta Justice Initiative tackle the problem of the rapidly growing prison population in the United States. The book outlines 30 specific reforms for Connecticut's legislative and executive branches to consider that look to less costly, more effective, and more humane alternatives. In an editorial published on March 2, 2015, the Connecticut Law Tribune endorsed the reforms presented by The Justice Imperative, stating that "[n]ot everyone in prison deserves to be there. Not all offenders are dangerous, and the longer they remain in prison, the less likely they are to successfully re-enter society after paying their debt."
Also, in connection with The Justice Imperative, Mr. Moran was part of a panel discussion on Focus on Connecticut, a News 12 Connecticut program that aired on February 7, 2015. He, along attorney Philip Russell and Redding Police Chief Doug Fuchs, were interviewed by host Tom Appleby. Please click here to view the broadcast.
Robinson+Cole was a Silver Sponsor of the Downtown Hartford YMCA's Mission in Motion Cycle-a-Thon. Irina Sirovskaya, a paralegal in the Hartford office, was the firm organizer for this annual fundraiser, held on March 21, 2015, in the XL Center Atrium. Mission in Motion is an indoor cycling event made up of teams that ride a total of four hours to raise money in support of the Downtown Y annual campaign. It supports many causes, such as Read to Succeed, Livestrong, the Footlights performing arts and education program, and other innovative life-changing programs. These programs are available to youth, families, and adults, regardless of their ability to pay.
Many Robinson+Cole employees contributed to the effort, including everyone who paid $5 to wear jeans on two Fridays in March and those who paid $10 for a vintage R+C sports bag. Ms. Sirovskaya assembled two bike teams, Livestrong YMCA and Livestrong R+C. Ms. Gizzi, the captain of the R+C Livestrong Cycling Team, and her family set their wheels in motion by cycling the whole four hours.
Thanks to all who supported the cause in one way or another. Your participation made it possible for the firm to raise a total of $1,025. Way to go, team Robinson+Cole!
Robinson+Cole construction lawyer Lisa B. Andrzejewski has been elected to the Board of Directors of Hartford Performs. Hartford Performs is a collaborative network of Hartford Public Schools, arts providers, community organizations, funders, and other supporters working together to deliver quality arts education programs to Hartford Public School students. As of the 2014-2015 school year, Hartford Performs supports arts integration programming for students in 28 Hartford public elementary schools. Read more in the press release.
The Boys & Girls Club of Stamford honored real estate lawyer Steven L. Elbaum and Robinson+Cole at its largest annual fundraiser, City Chic, on March 12, 2015, at The Palace Theatre in Stamford, Connecticut.
Robert Hartt, Stamford Boys & Girls Club's board president, presented the "Corporate Partnership Award" to Mr. Elbaum and Robinson+Cole. In presenting the award, Mr. Hartt said "Steve has served on our Executive Committee for the past ten years, including being our board president for two years. Not only does he help us by applying his business acumen, but he also exhibits a passion for our kids that is palpable and contagious. Steve has also provided us with volunteer lawyers to help us with many of our legal needs." Robinson+Cole was recognized as a generous supporter of the Boys & Girls Club fundraising efforts. Together, Mr. Elbaum and the firm helped thousands of underserved Stamford children gain access to a safe, nurturing environment in which to learn and grow. Please click here to see a photo from the event.
The City Chic event, with 80 sponsors and advertisers, raised $275,000 in net profit for the Boys & Girls Club.
Robinson+Cole event coordinator Michele A. Sexton was a finalist for Best Campaign Coordinator at the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut's Best of Awards, held at the Hartford Marriott Downtown on February 20, 2015. Nearly 400 people from Hartford-area workplaces came out to celebrate and support the event, which honors workplaces in central and northeastern Connecticut for their dedication and outstanding performance in the United Way Campaign as well as throughout the year. The Best of Awards places considerable emphasis on meaningful, lasting changes in the community. Please click here to view a photo of Ms. Sexton at the awards ceremony, along with her colleagues who supported her.
Robinson+Cole lawyer Eric D. Daniels is co-chairing Interval House's third Breakfast with Champions scheduled for April 2, 2015. The event, taking place at The Riverview in Simsbury, is honoring Dr. William A. Petit Jr. of the Petit Family Foundation for his work with Interval House as a member of Men Make a Difference, Men Against Domestic Violence. The event will benefit Interval House in its mission to end domestic violence. Read more in the press release here.
The blizzard did not stop over 500 lawyers from trudging through the snow in the annual Walk to the Hill for Legal Aid on January 29, 2015. The lawyers represent bar associations from across Massachusetts in support of the Equal Justice Coalition, the sponsor of the Walk to the Hill. Participating from the Boston office of Robinson+Cole were co-captains Carla M. Moynihan and Kendra L. Berardi, along with Larry P. Heffernan and John E. O’Brien Jr. Civil legal aid is the last resort for low-income people when they face critical civil legal problems, such as loss of housing, domestic violence, access to veterans' benefits, unemployment appeals, and wage and hour disputes. By providing lawyers and legal advice to people living at or near the federal poverty level, civil legal aid programs enhance their clients' ability to access justice and can serve as a powerful tool to combat poverty. The Walk to the Hill means literally walking up Beacon Street to the Capitol on Beacon Hill to urge state representatives and senators to preserve funding for legal aid programs.
Robinson+Cole lawyer Brian E. Moran was interviewed by the Legal Broadcasting Network's (LBN) Scott Drake on January 16, 2015. During the program, Mr. Moran explained his views on America's prison population, emphasizing its cost to taxpayers, its failure to rehabilitate prisoners, and its general ineffectiveness. His views come directly from his book The Justice Imperative: How Hyper-Incarceration Has Hijacked the American Dream, published in 2014. To view the broadcast, please click here.
Mr. Moran is a business litigation partner in the Stamford office.
Charles E. Janson, real estate lawyer in the Stamford office, spoke to approximately 180 benefactors and friends of the Dahesh Museum of Art on January 20, 2015, to celebrate its 20th anniversary and new location. In his comments, Mr. Janson told the story of the museum's journey from opening to the public with its first exhibition in 1995 to recently finding a permanent exhibition space after being "homeless" and a "museum without walls" for 7 years. The museum, which showcases academic European and American art from the 19th and 20th centuries, is now housed in a 7000-square-foot townhouse at 178 E. 64th St. on the Upper East Side in New York City. A brownstone with its original façade intact and restored, the building features two Louis XV marble fireplaces, 12-foot ceilings, and a rear patio of Italian stone. Please click here to read the coverage of the museum's new residence in the ArtsBeat blog of the New York Times.
Robinson+Cole, in representing the Dahesh Museum, closed on the purchase of the new property on January 6, 2015. Mr. Janson has represented the museum since its formation in the late 1980s and has served as a trustee on its Board of Trustees for nearly 10 years.
Business litigation partner Brian E. Moran, author of The Justice Imperative: How Hyperincarceration Has Hijacked the American Dream, was the featured guest on the show "Rethinking hyperincarceration: a better way to handle non-violent criminals," a segment on the WESU radio program Reasonably Catholic: Keeping the Faith. Airing on December 16, 2014, Mr. Moran discussed problems connected to our bloated correctional system, and, as laid out in the book, practical solutions on how to cut the prison population in half over the next five years. To listen to the episode, please click here.
Maria Johnson produces and hosts Reasonably Catholic: Keeping the Faith. Program discussions focus on progressive issues of faith as well as offer occasional book panels and religious news coverage.
Brian E. Moran's recently published book, The Justice Imperative: How Hyper-Incarceration Has Hijacked the American Dream, received an honorable mention in Kam Williams's Top Ten Black Books of 2014 List. In the book, Mr. Moran examines the current condition of Connecticut's criminal justice and correctional systems, examining the monetary and human cost of the state's policy and enforcement scheme. He outlines 30 specific prison reforms, which look to less costly, more effective, and more humane alternatives, for Connecticut's legislative and executive branches to consider.
Mr. Moran is a business litigation partner resident in Robinson+Cole's Stamford office. Mr. Williams is a film and book critic whose syndicated column appears in over 100 newspapers and blogs around the country.
Business and intellectual property lawyer Kathleen M. Porter and real estate lawyer Carla M. Moynihan participated in the WomenUp – Local Women of Influence awards breakfast in Boston on December 11, 2014. The event profiled 22 Boston-area women of influence, visionary entrepreneurs who are making a mark in Boston's economic environment. Before the audience of more than 500 women professionals and entrepreneurs, Ms. Porter and Ms. Moynihan provided an overview of Robinson+Cole and then introduced four of the honorees. Boston lawyers Amanda S. Eckhoff, Caitlin M. Healey, Elizabeth W. Kaloyanides, Katherine C. Bailey, Misha K. Daha, Matthew J. Lawlor, and J. Michael Wirvin also attended the event, together with clients and friends of the firm.
WomenUp.org's mission is "to increase women's role in the global economy by providing leadership training, mentorship, and support to girls and women through every stage of their lives and careers."
Through the efforts of insurance lawyer Dana M. Horton, Robinson+Cole's Providence office participated in the Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive at Children's Friend. Lawyers and staff brightened the holidays of a five-year-old girl by donating four full boxes of clothing, outerwear, shoes, and toys. The Rhode Island Women's Bar Association sponsored the drive.
This event, which started over 15 years ago when gift baskets were distributed to a small number families, has developed into a large operation that includes selecting needy families and reviewing and approving wish lists, all made possible with a staffed agency and volunteers. Sponsors are matched with families who currently receive services from Children's Friend, a nonprofit organization that has been serving Rhode Island children and families who face overwhelming obstacles in their lives, from poverty and language barriers to lack of education and substance abuse.
Robinson+Cole presented NFL football legend George Martin of the New York Giants with its inaugural Giving Cup Award at a reception at The Avon Theatre in Stamford, Connecticut, on Monday, December 8, 2014. The firm honored Mr. Martin for his work in support of 9/11 first responders and their ongoing medical needs.
Along with a commemorative award, Robinson+Cole presented Mr. Martin with a check for $2,500 to support the efforts of his nonprofit organization, Journey for 9/11. Robinson+Cole also invited first responders from the local area to attend the reception as honored guests, recognizing them for their selfless service. About 100 people, including representatives from VOICES of September 11th, local first responders, local survivors, clients and friends of the firm, and Robinson+Cole lawyers, attended the private event.
Read more in the press release here and see a photo here.
Robinson+Cole lawyer Eric D. Daniels is chairing Hartford Hospital's signature fundraiser, the Black & Red, scheduled for January 24, 2015. The event will take place at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts and proceeds will benefit the Trauma Center at Hartford Hospital, the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center. This year's event features entertainment by The Blues Brothers Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi. Tickets for the Black & Red are on sale now. Read more in the press release here.
The Providence office raised nearly $13,000 in its 2014–15 United Way of Rhode Island workplace campaign, with 100 percent participation by attorneys and staff. Legal administrative assistant Brenda Vucci, who provided support as the campaign coordinator, was key in making this happen. Thanks to everyone who participated!
The United Way works annually with employers and more than a million volunteers to advance its workplace campaign, raising funds to "advance the common good and create opportunities for a better life for all."
Robinson+Cole attorneys and staff members participated in Junior Achievement (JA) Day at Parkville Community School in Hartford, Connecticut, on November 21, 2014. This was the firm's 10th JA/R+C Day and our 9th visit to Parkville Community. A total of 10 volunteers taught kindergarten through second grade students a JA-developed curriculum focused on promoting financial literacy and developing good life skills. Volunteers Gabriela Arias, Diana D'Angelo, Sandra Marin, and Nicole Najam used compelling stories, along with hands-on activities, to demonstrate the concepts of helping, working, earning, and saving to two classes of kindergarteners. Our first grade volunteers, Kelly Frye, Nancy Ransom, and Jonathan Schaefer, instructed two classrooms of students on the role people play in the local economy and engaged students with activities about needs, wants, jobs, tools and skills, and interdependence. Christine Bromberg and James Nault taught a second grade class about our community, exploring the interdependent roles of workers in a community, the work they perform, and how communities work.
JA/R+C Day is an annual volunteer opportunity supporting the overall mission of JA to make students financially responsible, prepared for the workforce, and entrepreneurially savvy. The JA program provides a powerful learning experience for young people for the following two reasons:
All together, Robinson+Cole volunteers taught these valuable lessons in five classrooms, reaching over 100 students!
Real estate lawyer Steven L. Elbaum chaired the third annual Boys & Girls Club of Stamford's Champions of Youth Sports Breakfast at Chelsea Piers Connecticut on Tuesday, November 18, 2014. The program, with more than 300 community leaders in attendance, featured Cal Ripken Jr., who was honored for his work with the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation. To capture his father's legacy, Cal Ripken, along with his brother, Billy, started the foundation in 2001 after his father's death. He feels strongly about giving back to the community through youth sports development. As a result, the foundation supports the Stamford Boys & Girls Club by providing children with "programs such as Badges for Baseball, The Ripken Summer Camp in Maryland, and programs promoting healthy choices and healthy lifestyles." Children from the club participated in the event. Please click here to view a photo of Mr. Elbaum speaking at the breakfast.
Mr. Elbaum is the immediate past president of the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford's Board of Directors.
Products liability lawyer Eric D. Daniels was a featured speaker at the MetroHartford Alliance's monthly Rising Star Breakfast on October 31, 2014, at Hartford Stage. Mr. Daniels, who chairs the board of the education reform group Achieve Hartford!, spoke to 200 business and community leaders about the current state of the ongoing reform of the Hartford Public Schools. Please click here to view a picture of Mr. Daniels at the event.
On October 29, 2014, Robinson+Cole lawyers Keisha S. Palmer and Jacqueline Pennino Scheib attended the swearing in ceremony for the first members of the Hartford Public High School Law and Government Academy's Scholar Bar. The ceremony, which was presided over by former Robinson+Cole partner Honorable Alvin W. Thompson, was the culmination of a four-month program designed to introduce the high school students to careers in the legal field. This program reflects a rewarding relationship between Robinson & Cole LLP, the University of Connecticut School of Law, and Hartford Public High School. The program started with an intensive mock trial course and continued as the students wrote an extensive code of conduct for governing behavior at the high school. After taking an exhaustive five-hour bar exam, the scholars who passed and were sworn in will now operate Hartford Public High School's new Scholar Court where student infractions will be tried and judgments will be handed out. Robinson+Cole is proud of its role in this program, which helps to knit together several facets of our legal community and establishes a bright path toward the law for minorities and economically disadvantaged youth.
Each year in October, the American Cancer Society (ACS) sponsors Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, a nationwide network of walks and events designed to honor those who have battled breast cancer and to raise awareness on how to reduce the risk of the disease. Funds raised "help the ACS fight the disease with research, information, services, and access to mammograms for women who need them."
Members of the Robinson+Cole community rose to the challenge of walking to raise funds locally. Michele Sexton led the Hartford team of walkers; Kady Lee and Meg Bracken led the Metro New York team; Sandy Strate and Ann Ratta led the Boston team; and Brenda Vucci led the Providence team. Through everyone's support, Robinson+Cole's grand total for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign was $2,274.
Robinson+Cole was a proud sponsor of the Patriot Golf Day tournament, held at the Hop Meadow Country Club in Simsbury, Connecticut, on October 12, 2014. The tournament supports the Folds of Honor Foundation, whose mission is to provide annual educational scholarships to military families of those who have been killed or disabled while on active duty. Specifically, the foundation offers private education tuition, tutoring, and educational summer camps for children in grades K–12 and higher education tuition assistance for spouses and older children.
Robinson+Cole partner Jeffrey J. White, along with his wife, Sarah, played in the tournament. Playing with Mr. White and his wife were Bruce Gifford, senior vice president and chief actuary in Bond & Specialty Insurance at Travelers Insurance Company, and his wife, Ranee Gifford. As is tradition for the event, Mr. White's foursome included an active duty military officer. Please click here to see a photo of Mr. White, his wife, and the active duty military officer. Robinson+Cole's support of the event also included participation by business litigation partner William J. Egan.
Theodore J. Tucci of the Business Litigation Group and Dwight H. Merriam of the Land Use Group presented awards at the Connecticut Law Tribune's Annual Legal Departments of the Year dinner in New Haven on October 15, 2014. This event recognizes the region's top in-house departments. This year, the honorees were named in the areas of Management of In-House Counsel, Management of Outside Counsel, Pro Bono, Diversity, Community Outreach, and Lifetime Achievement.
Mr. Tucci presented the Pro Bono Award to the legal services department of United Heathcare. Mr. Merriam presented the Community Outreach Award to the legal services department of the Connecticut Educational Association. Also in attendance were Robinson+Cole lawyers Stephen E. Cooper, Martin A. Onorato, and Gregory R. Faulkner.
Robinson+Cole was a sponsor of the Seventh Annual Feast from the Fields, held on September 27, 2014, in New Haven, Connecticut. This event celebrates community, sustainability, and the harvest season and supports the mission and work of Common Ground, an organization dedicated to cultivating "habits of healthy living and sustainable environmental practice among a diverse community of children, families, and adults." Common Ground provides an environment of learning and leadership, engaging all members of the community, including elementary, middle, and high school students; the general public; and environmental practitioners. The funds raised from this year's Feast from the Fields, a total of $41,300, will help support Common Ground and its programs.
R+C real estate lawyer Mimi M. Lines attended the feast. Robinson+Cole represented Common Ground in the drafting and negotiation of the design and construction agreements for the construction of its new facility in New Haven.
The Connecticut Law Tribune has recognized Robinson+Cole lawyers Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, Sorell E. Negro, Brian D. Nichols, and Keisha S. Palmer as New Leaders in the Law. They are among 60 attorneys, all under age 40, recognized in the New Leaders in the Law 2014 Yearbook and will be honored at an awards dinner on November 6 at The Bond Ballroom in downtown Hartford. The Connecticut Law Tribune received more than 300 award nominations, and honorees were selected based on examples of their legal work, pro bono efforts, and community involvement. Read more in the press release here.
Governor Dannel P. Malloy has appointed environmental lawyer Pamela K. Elkow to the Port Authority Working Group, established under legislation that created the Connecticut Port Authority (CPA). The CPA is a quasi-public agency whose task will be to promote and improve the state's three deepwater ports—New London, New Haven, and Bridgeport. The CPA is to begin its work on October 1, 2015. In the meantime, the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) will develop a detailed plan for instituting the agency. The role of the Port Authority Working Group is to make recommendations to the DECD as to the CPA's authority and duties.
From June through August, Robinson+Cole lawyers and staff headed out of the office to volunteer with 11 different nonprofit organizations based in Boston, Hartford, New York, Providence, and Stamford in the firm's second annual Summer of Service. In total, they spent more than 270 hours assisting with activities such as beautifying parks, organizing distribution centers, and serving food.
"Our Summer of Service program was very well received last year, by both our lawyers and staff and the organizations we volunteered with," said John H. Kane, chair of the firm's Diversity Committee. "The program is in keeping with our firm's history of actively giving back to the community, and it also fosters teamwork and comradery among our lawyers and staff whose work might not give them the opportunity to interact on a day-to-day basis."
Land use partner Edward V. O'Hanlan has been asked to serve on the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center's (CVLC) Board of Directors, effective September 18, 2014. This new leadership role, combined with Mr. O'Hanlan's experience as a Navy veteran and civil trial lawyer, reflects the deep commitment of Robinson+Cole to CVLC's valuable mission to provide legal services to veterans across Connecticut. R+C lawyers frequently handle cases referred by CVLC to help veterans recovering from homelessness and mental illness overcome the legal barriers to housing, health care, employment, and service-connected benefits.
Land use partner Michael S. Giaimo has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Friends of Minuteman National Park. The mission of this nonprofit organization is to preserve the birthplace of the American Revolution and to inspire visitors to learn the causes, events, and continuing impact of the Revolutionary War and its principles of liberty and democracy. Like other nonprofit groups that partner with various national parks throughout the country, the Friends organization focuses on improving education and the visitor experience at the park, preserving and restoring the park's cultural landscapes and historic structures, and supporting and advocating for the park and its mission. R+C partner Dwight H. Merriam's ancestral home, the 300-plus-year-old Meriam House, is located along the Battle Road Trail and was recently restored with funding from the Friends of Minuteman National Park.
Robinson+Cole recognized four lawyers for their initiative and outstanding dedication to the community at a reception, celebrating the firm’s summer legal intern program, on August 7, 2014. Managing partner John B. Lynch Jr. announced the Community Service Awards, which went to Thomas P. Cody and Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, while pro bono partner Edward J. Heath presented the firm’s Pro Bono Awards, which went to Peter R. Knight and Evan J. Seeman. Read more about the honorees and their work in the press release here.
In five short years, Robinson+Cole has turned a small office into a thriving force in the Providence business community. Since the firm opened its office at One Financial Plaza in April 2009, the team of lawyers has doubled, and all of them are deeply connected to the community.
"From the beginning, being part of the thread of the Providence community, working with other business, civic, and community leaders, was important to us. But beyond those working relationships, it was also important for us to give back and support the local community," said Patricia J. Igoe, a partner in the firm's Providence office. "Supporting the local arts community is part of that focus, and all of the new artwork we have purchased since opening has been from local artists."
Bradford S. Babbitt, chair of the Business Litigation Group, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Church Home of Hartford Incorporated (CHHI), a charity affiliated with the Episcopal Church in Connecticut that was formed in 1876 to provide shelter for the aged and infirm. Today, CHHI owns and operates Seabury Retirement Community, providing unparalleled housing and health care services to 340 residents on 66 acres in Bloomfield, Connecticut. Seabury set the standard for an active retirement community when it was built in 1992 and has continued to achieve that standard as it has expanded to include assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care services.
Energy and utilities lawyer Joey Lee Miranda has been elected treasurer of the Board of Directors of Lawyers for Children America. A Connecticut-based nonprofit, the organization provides pro bono legal representation to protect the rights of children who are victims of abuse, abandonment, and neglect. Its goals include implementing services to help children who are victims of abuse and neglect, improving the child welfare system, and increasing public awareness of youth and violence issues.
Ms. Miranda has been a board member of Lawyers for Children America since 2012.
Congratulations to our Providence office on being selected the number one best place to work in the small business category of the "Best Places to Work in Rhode Island" by the Providence Business News. A celebratory dinner was held on June 12, 2014, to announce the winners, who were featured in the June 16 edition of the Providence Business News. Best Places to Work is a statewide survey and awards program that honors the best places for Rhode Island employment. The winners are selected through a two-part process. The first part considers the workplace policies, practices, and demographics of each nominated company. The second part involves an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determine the top companies and the final ranking.
The Providence office is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. Since its opening in April 2009, the team of lawyers has doubled, and the staff has expanded to accommodate their needs. With a deep community connection, the office is committed to mentoring, pro bono work, community service, and diversity. The firm was profiled in the Providence Business News under the heading of "Partners, staff on equal footing at Robinson & Cole." Please click here to view the article.
As part of its R+C Connect Series, Robinson+Cole's Boston office hosted a cocktail reception on May 22, 2014, as an opportunity for clients and friends of the firm who work in the real estate development field to network with one another. Featured guest, Heather Campisano, chief of staff of the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), briefed the group on city projects, including the renewal of East Boston's waterfront and the Seaport/Innovation District. Capturing the spirit of real estate development, the event was held at Petit Robert Central in Downtown Crossing, an area of Boston that has seen substantial new development in the past few years. About 60 clients and friends of the firm attended the reception, including commercial real estate developers, engineers, city planners, designers, consultants, bankers, and members of the Department of Transportation and the BRA.
Over 20 Robinson+Cole lawyers attended the event. Click here to view photos of lawyers J. Michael Wirvin, Carla M. Moynihan, Karla L. Chaffee, and William J. Egan enjoying the festivities.
Robinson+Cole served as gift sponsor at the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut's 26th Annual Golf Tournament. Held at the Great Neck Country Club in Waterford, Connecticut, on June 2, 2014, the event drew many local business and company leaders, some from the largest companies in the area. In addition, the firm was featured at a display table throughout the day. Land use lawyers Edward V. O’Hanlan and John P. Casey and litigation lawyer James R. Nault played in the tournament, with legal administrative assistant Duffy Bartlett and marketing coordinator Michelle Mattera providing support. Please click here to view the Robinson+Cole team.
In local sites around the country, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) sponsored the 17 Annual Celebrate America Fifth Grade Creative Writing Contest, whose 2014 theme was "Why I Am Glad America Is a Nation of Immigrants." The contest encourages fifth graders to submit written works (essays, poems, and stories) that reflect the theme. Serving as contest coordinator in Connecticut, immigration lawyer Lauren M. Sigg organized the efforts of AILA members to give presentations in several Connecticut fifth grade classrooms, coordinated contest submissions across the state, and organized the evaluations of the submissions. At Duffy Elementary in West Hartford, immigration lawyer Megan R. Naughton discussed the role that immigration has played in shaping our society. Charlie Krajc, a student from Duffy, won Connecticut's first place prize. His essay underscored the hope and bravery of immigrants coming to the United States. Although Charlie did not win the national contest, he and the other Connecticut finalists received gift certificates and were invited to attend and participate in a naturalization ceremony in Hartford on June 6, 2014.
Please click here to view the West Hartford News article on the contest.
Employee benefits lawyer Virginia E. McGarrity has been elected as secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center. Author of the antislavery novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe helped change our country's impression of the divisive issue of slavery. Her life has served as an example of how one person can make a significant difference. The Stowe Center "preserves and interprets Stowe's Hartford home and the Center's historic collections, promotes vibrant discussion of her life and work, and inspires commitment to social justice and positive change."
Ms. McGarrity has been a member of the Stowe Center's Board of Trustees since January 2013.
Kevin M. Lenehan, litigation director at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, recently presented Robinson+Cole with a replica of a Sikorsky helicopter for sponsoring the third annual Home Run for Heroes Bluefish Baseball Game, held on July 13, 2013, at Bridgeport's Bluefish Stadium. The event, held in conjunction with Sikorsky's Veterans Appreciation Weekend, recognizes and raises funds for those who served our country, producing significant donations to national and local veteran's charities. Honored as a Gold Sponsor, the firm, along with various Connecticut businesses, raised over $48,000 for local veterans organizations last year. Through the proceeds from Home Run for Heroes, Sikorsky supports Harkness House/Columbus House, which offers a safe living environment for homeless veterans and helps them to reintegrate into society; the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, which assists veterans recovering from homelessness and mental illness in surmounting legal obstacles to housing, health care, and income; and the Connecticut Fallen Heroes Foundation, which has dedicated itself to always remembering, posthumously, fallen heroes each year since 2004.
Please click here to view the photo of Mr. Lenehan presenting the helicopter to Robinson+Cole lawyers Edward V. O'Hanlan, Robert S. Melvin, Earl W. Phillips Jr., and John B. Lynch Jr.
Business and intellectual property lawyer Kathleen M. Porter was recognized for her volunteer work with the Marathon Assistance Project at the Boston Bar Association (BBA) Law Day Dinner, held on May 12, 2014. Paul T. Dacier, president of the BBA, presented awards to 70 volunteer lawyers for assisting victims and small businesses affected the Boston Marathon bombings.
Through the Marathon Assistance Project, BBA members volunteered to aid individuals with claims and employment issues, among other things. At the Law Day Dinner, the BBA reflected "on the critical efforts made by our volunteer lawyers in the wake of the bombing...helping Back Bay businesses get back on their feet...." Please click here to view the photo of the award recipients.
Real estate and development partner Thomas P. Cody was recently reelected to a fourth term as chair of the Board of Directors of Riverfront Recapture, Inc., a nonprofit organization that has helped restore public access to the Connecticut River. For over 30 years, Riverfront Recapture has led the development of riverfront parks, walkways, and docks in Hartford and East Hartford. It also produces hundreds of public events and programs along the riverfront, including cultural festivals, dragon boat races, fireworks displays, concerts, youth fishing events, a community rowing program for youth and adult groups, and the annual Head of the Riverfront Rowing Regatta. Over 800,000 visitors enjoyed the riverfront parks last year. A recent Hartford Courant editorial noted that "Hartford's most significant quality-of-life improvement in the last three decades is its reconnection with the Connecticut River. The city was blocked from the river by the construction of I-91 in the 1960s, and some kids grew up unaware that they lived in a river city. Now youngsters and adults row, fish, bike, jog, cruise, listen to music, and otherwise enjoy this great natural asset."
The annual Greater Hartford Arts Council's (GHAC) Workplace Campaign was held in Robinson+Cole's Hartford office from May 5 to May 9, 2014. As part of the campaign, employees participated in a variety of activities, from celebrating Cinco de Mayo and making jewelry to touring Hartford Stage and enjoying the island music of Calypso Caliente during the Friday Night Social. Coming in at $6,900, the total amount raised for the GHAC exceeded the goal of $6,000.
Formed in 1971, the GHAC supports more than 150 arts, heritage, and cultural organizations in central Connecticut. It provides "grants, programs, and services designed to leverage the arts to strengthen communities, drive the economy, and improve the quality of life of 1.2 million residents."
The American Red Cross Connecticut Chapter has elected Jacqueline Pennino Scheib, chair of Robinson+Cole's Intellectual Property and Technology Law Group, to its Board of Directors.
The American Red Cross helps Connecticut residents prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. It serves more than 3.5 million Connecticut residents in 168 towns in Hartford, Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland, and Windham counties, plus Fishers Island, New York, with services provided by a small paid staff and a corps of more than 3,000 volunteers. Read more here.
The New London County Bar Association (NLCBA) held its annual Law Day Luncheon on Friday, May 2, 2014. Insurance lawyer Dana M. Horton, NLCBA president, convened the event, which was followed by opening remarks by the Honorable Thomas Bishop. Ms. Horton presented the Liberty Bell Award to Congressman Joe Courtney, who was also the keynote speaker. The Law Day theme for 2014 was "American Democracy and the Rule of Law – Why Every Vote Counts." The luncheon, well attended by members of the bar and judiciary, was held at The Spa at Norwich Inn.
Click here to view Judge Bishop's opening remarks. Click here to view a photo of Ms. Horton and Congressman Courtney.
Insurance litigation lawyers J. Tyler Butts and Dominic Spinelli helped ninth and tenth grade students from Hartford Public High School's Law and Government Academy prepare for and present a simulated trial. The program, held on May 1, 2014, was part of the federal judiciary's celebration of Law Day. Mr. Butts and Mr. Spinelli coached the students about the key elements of trial, including opening and closing statements and the questioning of witnesses. The trial was presided over by Senior District Court Judge Dominic J. Squatrito and featured closing remarks from professor Richard Wilson from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Law Day was first celebrated in 1958 to provide an opportunity to reflect on the role of law in the foundation of the country and to recognize its importance for society.
Robinson+Cole was a sponsor of the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association's 2014 Annual Dinner on May 1, 2014. Firm lawyers Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, Joey Lee Miranda, Keisha S. Palmer, David M. Panico, Jonathan H. Schaefer, and Evan J. Seeman attended the event, along with Marnie Rubin and incoming first-year associates Christie Jean and Kelly Frye. The George W. Crawford Black Bar Association works to enhance the role of black attorneys in the state, to establish lines of communication and affiliate with local and national organizations within the legal profession, and to focus on legal issues that affect members of the black community.
The Hartford Federal Credit Union elected public finance lawyer Keisha S. Palmer to its board of directors on April 23, 2014, for a three-year term. This is Ms. Palmer's second term on the board.
The Hartford Federal Credit Union, a community-chartered credit union, was established in 1961 and serves Hartford, Middlesex, and Tolland counties. A nonprofit financial cooperative, it is owned by its members and governed by a volunteer board of directors elected from its membership.
Robinson+Cole marked the five-year anniversary of opening its Providence office with a cocktail reception on April 3, 2014. Approximately 85 people attended the event. Along with Robinson+Cole lawyers and staff from the Providence, Boston, and Hartford offices, clients and friends of the firm from a variety of industries gathered to commemorate the milestone. The celebration provided an opportunity for the firm to showcase its newly expanded office space and the new additions to its art collection—all pieces created by local Rhode Island artists.
Congratulations to all lawyers and staff in the Providence office!
Over 1,400 members of the Greater Hartford community gathered for YWCA Hartford Region's 19th annual In the Company of Women Luncheon at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford on April 8, 2014, to support YWCA's mission to eliminate racism and empower women. Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, labor and employment lawyer, and Julie A. Trowbridge-Dillman, senior vice president of Operations & E-Business, The Travelers Companies, Inc., served as event co-chairs. Along with Ms. Cole-Johnson, R+C lawyers Alice E. DeTora, Edward J. Samorajczyk, Virginia E. McGarrity, and Susan N. Masters attended the event. Camryn Manheim, an acclaimed actress and social activist known for her Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning role on The Practice as defense attorney Ellenor Frutt, was the keynote speaker. A vocal advocate for human rights and the empowerment of women, Ms. Manheim spoke about living life generously and her experience defying the beauty myth and casting stereotypes in Hollywood.
R+C is a proud sponsor of YWCA's In the Company of Women Luncheon. Proceeds from the luncheon will help fund YWCA programs and services that improve lives of women and children in the Greater Hartford region, including child care, supportive and transitional housing, teen leadership development, racial justice awareness, economic empowerment, and financial literacy.
Foodshare has elected Robinson+Cole lawyer Gerald P. Dwyer Jr. (Kip) to its Board of Directors. Foodshare is the region’s food bank and its goal is to end hunger, that is, to make sure enough food is available to support people who fall on hard times. In 2013, Foodshare distributed food for 12 million meals—that’s 40,000 meals a day—but that huge amount covered only one-third of the need in our area. Beyond distributing food, Foodshare works to mobilize individuals and organizations, recognizing the only way this balance can happen, and keep happening, is if the entire community gets involved in the effort.
“Kip has a real passion for Foodshare’s work and a thorough understanding of the systemic issues we need to address if we are to get at the root of hunger. He will undoubtedly bring a wealth of knowledge to our organization,” said Gloria McAdam, president and CEO of Foodshare.
Read more in the full press release here.
More than 1,000 women from across the region gathered at Bryant University to attend the 17th annual Women's Summit on March 14, 2014. This year's program centered on the theme of "Be the CEO of your life." Keynote speakers included Viola Davis, award-winning actor; Carley Roney, co-founder of The Knot; and Carey Lohrenz, first female U.S. Navy fighter pilot.
Patricia J. Igoe, Candace M. Cunningham, Kathleen M. Porter, Dana M. Horton, Carla M. Moynihan, Nicole Campbell, and select female clients of the firm attended the event. Robinson+Cole is an annual sponsor of the Women's Summit.
Steven L. Elbaum, real estate lawyer in the Stamford office, nominated two prominent lawyers who were honored at the Westfair's Women of Accomplishment 2013 event in White Plains, New York, on April 3, 2014. The women are Jennifer Hart, vice president, general counsel, and secretary of Tata Global Beverages, and Marla Persky, former senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary of Boehringer Ingelheim. In 2013, the two collaborated to form the Women General Counsel Group, dedicated to providing professional support to women lawyers employed by many of our region's most recognized corporate brands. The honorees were selected by the Fairfield County Business Journal and the Westchester County Business Journal for making outstanding contributions in business as well as in their communities. Mr. Elbaum represented R+C at the event.
Robinson & Cole's Providence office was a sponsor of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless's (RICH) annual awards luncheon, held on March 24, 2014, in Warwick, Rhode Island. Representing the firm were Providence lawyers Patricia J. Igoe, and George W. Watson. The event provided an opportunity for RICH members to celebrate their achievements, honor their community heroes, and show their commitment to ending homelessness in Rhode Island. The mission of RICH is to "promote and preserve the dignity and quality of life for men, women, and children by pursuing comprehensive and cooperative solutions to the problems of housing and homelessness."
The highest honor United Way bestows upon a volunteer is its Community Service Award. Robinson & Cole’s Eric D. Daniels received this honor at the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut’s annual meeting on March 25, 2014.
“We’re honored to count ourselves among those who have benefitted from Eric’s time and talent,” said Susan Dunn, president and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “When he commits to something, he commits fully. He doesn’t just lend his name.”
Among the many organizations and causes to which Mr. Daniels has committed his time and skills are Achieve Hartford!, HARC, Hartford Hospital, Interval House, New Horizons, and The Bushnell. He has also served on the Board of Directors of The iQuilt Plan, a community revitalization initiative for Hartford, since his appointment in 2011 by Governor Dannel Malloy. With United Way, he has been involved in various capacities over the years, including as chair of the professional services division of the United Way Campaign in 2007 and 2008, and as chair of the 2012 Community Campaign. Currently, he is co-chair of the Tocqueville Society of leadership donors.
Robinson+Cole once again participated in National Wear Red Day on February 7, 2014, to help raise funds to fight cardiovascular disease, the number one killer of women. By making a donation of five dollars or more and wearing a piece of red clothing or an accessory—a red pin, a red tie, or red socks—those who took part could also wear jeans that day.
The American Heart Association launched Go Red for Women in 2003 to save lives and to raise awareness of heart disease in women, which is no longer "an old man's disease." Leading this effort for the firm was Nancy Munroe, IT services coordinator in the Stamford Office. Brenda Fishman in New York, Jennifer O'Brien in Providence, Linda Riddell in Boston, and Michele Sexton in Hartford also helped with the effort in their respective offices. With offices throughout the firm participating, a total of $980 was collected for the American Heart Association. Please click
here to see R&C office photos from the event.
Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center Foundation has named Robinson & Cole lawyer Jeffrey J. White a Corporator. Saint Francis Foundation operates exclusively to advance the charitable, scientific, and educational purposes of the hospital through relationship building, community visibility, and fundraising.
Boston lawyers Michael S. Giaimo, Carla M. Moynihan, Joseph A. Barra, Matthew J. Lawlor, and Kendra L. Berardi attended this year's Robinson+Cole co-sponsored Urban Land Institute (ULI) Summer Social, held on August 6, 2013, at a sports bar near Fenway Park. Organized by the ULI's Boston District Council, this annual networking event drew over 200 real estate attendees, including developers, architects, and consultants.
Robinson+Cole, which had firm branding on all pre-event publicity, was one of three sponsors of the event and the only law firm. The district chair recognized and thanked the firm for its participation.
The mission of The Connecticut Forum is "to encourage the free and active exchange of ideas in Forums that inform, challenge, entertain, inspire and build bridges among all people and organizations in our community."
The ACC wanted to host an event that stood apart from the typical CLE-focused activities and allowed its members an opportunity to meet and network with one another. Approximately 35 members of the ACC joined Robinson+Cole for an evening of networking, hors d'oeuvres, and wine. The firm gave 12 prize winners an R+C-labeled bottle of wine featuring the Chrysler East Building, the new location for the New York City office.
To view photos from the event, click here.
Mr. Lynch currently serves on the Board of Governors of Hartford Stage.
Ms. Cunningham is the former president of CREW CT, the Connecticut Chapter of CREW Network, a national organization for women in commercial real estate.
Ms. Palmer currently serves on Crawford's Board of Directors.
The Estate Planning and Probate Group received notable mention in the listing, which appeared in the magazine's 10th Anniversary Issue this May.
Robinson+Cole was a sponsor of the Annual National Conference for Community Justice (NCCJ) Dinner on April 24, 2013. Hartford lawyers John B. Lynch Jr., David M. Panico, Dwight H. Merriam, and Jonathan H. Schaefer attended the event. James P. Ray currently serves on the Board of Directors of the NCCJ, Connecticut/Western Massachusetts Chapter.
The NCCJ works to take a stand against bias, bigotry, and racism in America. Through advocacy, conflict resolution, and education, this human relations organization advocates understanding and respect among all races, religions, and cultures.
Tax lawyer Marianne Kane has served as vice chair of City Year Boston's Legal Community Committee for the past two years.
Kendra L. Berardi captained the Robinson+Cole team of lawyers, which included Lawrence P. Heffernan, Christopher S. Pitt, and William J. Egan, who participated in the Equal Justice Coalition's annual Walk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid in Boston on January 30, 2013. Each year, in what is one of the largest lobby days at the Massachusetts State House, the goal of the lawyers who participate is to urge legislators to increase state funding for critical programs that provide civil legal aid to low-income Massachusetts residents. Over 600 lawyers took part in the walk for fiscal year 2014.
For further information about the campaign and the R+C Stamford team, click here.
To view a photo from the event, click here.
