Michael D. Neubert

Principal
Michael D. Neubert is a founding partner of Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. He is head of the firm's Professional Malpractice & Insurance Defense and Medical Malpractice & Hospital Liability Defense practice areas. He is also in the Healthcare Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution & Mediation practice groups.

Attorney Neubert has extensive experience in the areas of civil and commercial litigation, medical and dental malpractice defense, professional liability defense and hospital liability law. Within his litigation and malpractice and liability defense practice areas he chiefly represents physicians, lawyers, and real estate agents. In hospital liability law he represents physicians in professional licensing disputes, nursing home litigation, product liability, administrative law, premise liability, municipal liability, and employment litigation.

Attorney Neubert's clients include hospitals, physicians, attorneys, law firms, and professional associations. In addition, his clients include major insurance companies, corporations, and municipalities. He has over a 90% success rate trying numerous jury and court trials in state and federal court. Additionally, he has won appeals before the Connecticut Supreme Court and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Attorney Neubert is a frequent speaker at seminars on trial practice, professional liability, and health care risk management.

University of Connecticut School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Gregory J. Pepe

Principal

Gregory J. Pepe heads the Healthcare Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution & Mediation and Corporate & Business Transactions practice areas. His experience in the healthcare market, its accompanying regulatory constructs and related business matters, spans decades. Attorney Pepe provides his clients the understanding necessary to navigate the changing healthcare landscape.

Healthcare issues that Attorney Pepe often addresses include how providers can successfully negotiate new market ventures and grow their business strategically while operating within policies and legal regulations. Attorney Pepe has extensive experience in addressing the myriad of business issues facing healthcare providers. He skillfully provides counsel and solutions for his entrepreneurial clients.
The business issues that hospitals, doctors, lab companies, and other healthcare providers face are extremely complex. Attorney Pepe works with clients to establish business relationships such as partnership agreements, corporation agreements, noncompetition agreements, compensation arrangements, and provider contracts. The agreements and contracts are crafted to provide the legal structure for the entity to operate effectively. To that end they are constructed with the objective of avoiding future disputes.

There are numerous types of disputes that might arise within the healthcare industry, between providers and payors, doctors and hospitals, senior and junior doctors, and partnerships. Within the arena of dispute resolution and mediation Attorney Pepe assumes the patient/provider perspective and works as an advocate for the patient or provider.

Attorney Pepe has been an advisor to several state medical societies, including the Connecticut State Medical Society. He counsels regarding physician practice management issues within the context of organized medicine and initiation of litigation by medical societies against managed care companies. He represents numerous physician groups, including large integrated practices, IPAs, PHOs, and others involved in healthcare law issues.

University of Bridgeport School of Law
Juris Doctorate

University of Bridgeport School of Law
Juris Doctorate,

Deborah Monteith Neubert

Principal

Deborah Monteith Neubert is a founding partner of Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. Attorney Monteith's practice focuses on Construction Law & Design Professionals Liability. She also practices in the areas of Employment & Labor Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution & Mediation.

In her broad construction law practice, Attorney Monteith performs contract drafting and negotiations, specification review, change order negotiations, claims analysis, project close-outs, dispute resolution, and litigation. She represents construction design professionals, owners, and contractors during all phases of planning, development, design, and construction.

Attorney Monteith represents Connecticut municipalities and school boards on bidding, contracting, surety issues, claims assessment and resolution, mediation, and litigation. Attorney Monteith represents design professionals in professional liability claims and litigation. She has been involved in many of Connecticut's most high-profile construction cases. She is the co-author of two professional practice publications for design professionals and has given numerous seminars in this area. In addition to representing clients in mediation, arbitration, and litigation, Attorney Monteith has served as an arbitrator and as a mediator.

In employment and labor law, Attorney Monteith works as a legal consultant in human resources, including drafting handbooks, human resource problems, and employment negotiations. She regularly drafts employment agreements and severance agreements. Additionally, she consults on FMLA, disability and discrimination law, wages and hours law, and other statutory compliance issues. Attorney Monteith practices before state and federal administrative agencies and courts. She is on the roster of hearing officers for National Arbitration and Mediation (NAM).

University of Connecticut School of Law
Juris Doctorate

University of Connecticut School of Law
Juris Doctorate,

Douglas S. Skalka

Principal

Douglas S. Skalka is an experienced bankruptcy and commercial finance practitioner. He represents businesses, lenders, trade auditors and investors in many bankruptcy and business reorganization matters. Attorney Skalka's clients include secured and unsecured creditors, debtors, commercial lenders, trustees, and creditors' committees. His cases are in Connecticut and though out the country. He serves as counsel for asset-based lending transactions, avoidance actions, business reorganization, and the acquisition of troubled companies and their assets.

Attorney Skalka holds a certification in business bankruptcy from the American Board of Certification. Doug has held this select certification for over twenty years. As such, he was recently named a Senior Specialist by the Board. The American Board of Certification is the nation's premier legal specialty certification organization. The Board certifies attorneys as specialists in business bankruptcy, consumer bankruptcy and creditors' rights law.

Boston University School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Andrew R. Lubin

Principal

Andrew R. Lubin practices primarily in the areas of commercial real estate and commercial finance law. He provides clients with counsel in connection with the wide array of real estate acquisition, ownership, development, financing, and leasing issues. In connection with his real estate practice, he assists clients in all aspects of retail, commercial, office and industrial properties. Matters include acquisition, financing, leasing (landlord and tenant), management and disposition. Attorney Lubin heads the firm's real estate practice group, holding a "Best Law Firms" as Metropolitan Tier 1 rating.

In his commercial finance practice, Attorney Lubin provides comprehensive legal services to regional and national financial institutions and others. Legal services include structuring, documenting, and negotiating numerous types of financing transactions. These transactions include commercial real estate loans, construction loans, asset-based loans, and commercial loans, as well as working-out and restructuring troubled credit. In addition to his traditional lending roll, Attorney Lubin has developed a subspecialty in closing both SBA 7a and 504 Loans. Andy is one of only a handful of lawyers in the State of Connecticut who have received a "Designated Attorney" certification from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

John Marshall Law School
Juris Doctorate

John Marshall Law School
Juris Doctorate,

Judy K. Weinstein

Principal

Judy K. Weinstein's areas of practice include commercial finance, real estate financing, commercial workouts and restructures. In addition, she practices business law, healthcare law, and commercial contracting. She represents local and national banks in the extension and collection of asset-based, commercial, mortgage and construction loans. Her health care practice chiefly includes counseling health care providers. These clients include individual physicians, physician practices, and home health care clients. Attorney Weinstein counsels on general business matters, integrated delivery system matters, regulatory issues, employment law matters, and financing transactions. Her real estate financing practice includes sales of REO properties, real estate acquisitions, real estate sales, and commercial leasing. Attorney Weinstein has also advised clients in connection with stock and asset sales and purchases.

University of Connecticut School of Law

University of Connecticut School of Law
Juris Doctorate,

Peter T. Fay

Principal

Peter T. Fay has significant litigation experience in the areas of professional and medical malpractice & liability defense, product liability defense, premises and general liability defense, and commercial litigation. His professional clients include physicians, attorneys, real estate brokers and salespeople, appraisers, home inspectors, and surveyors. Clients also include physicians, attorneys, and insurance brokers and agents. In addition, Attorney Fay represents retailers, automobile manufacturers and distributors, hospitals, recreational facilities, and directors & officers. He also has represented manufacturers of consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.

Attorney Fay is admitted to practice in both state and federal courts. He has successfully tried numerous jury and court cases. Furthermore, he has handled appeals in the Connecticut Appellate Court and the Connecticut Supreme Court. He also has represented clients in matters before the Department of Consumer Protection, the Commission on Human Rights & Opportunities, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

College of William and Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law
Juris Doctorate

The College of William and Mary
Juris Doctorate,

Kevin M. Godbout

Principal

Kevin M. Godbout has a broad range of experience in the practice of professional liability defense. He represents professionals involved in disputes both in and out of court. These professionals include attorneys, architects, engineers, land surveyors, and accountants. He also represents businesses and individuals involved in commercial disputes. Attorney Godbout has significant experience resolving complex disputes through mediation.

Quinnipiac University School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Quinnipiac College School of Law
Juris Doctorate,

Robert T. Gradoville

Principal

Robert T. Gradoville heads the Taxation, Trusts & Estates practice group. He practices in the areas of tax, business, and personal planning, including trusts, estates, estate planning and administration. Attorney Gradoville also practices in qualified and nonqualified retirement plans.

Attorney Gradoville's clients include individuals, trusts, estate, and business owners. His work with business owners includes counsel on negotiations with business partners, bringing in a new partner or co-owner, and starting, dissolving, or merging businesses. He works with individuals and businesses to address a wide range of tax issues. Issues include anticipating and dealing with IRS issues. In the area of employment law, Attorney Gradoville is experienced in drafting, interpreting, and working with qualified employee benefits and other employee and employment issues.

Duke University Law School
Juris Doctorate

New York University School of Law
LL.M.,

Mark I. Fishman

Principal

Mark I. Fishman practices in the areas of bankruptcy law, debtor-and-creditor, healthcare insolvency and related litigation. He represents debtors, creditors' committees, trustees, bondholders, purchasers, and landlords. In addition, he represents parties to litigation in both bankruptcy courts and other courts.

Harvard University Law School
Juris Doctorate

Harvard University Law School
Juris Doctorate,

Gretchen G. Randall

Principal
Gretchen G. Randall's over twenty-year legal career has been devoted to defending hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare providers against claims of medical negligence. She defends clients in a wide variety of cases, including cases involving emergency medicine, orthopedics, labor and delivery, surgical complications, cardiology, pulmonology, infectious disease, neurology, radiology, and internal medicine. Recently, she expanded her practice to include the defense of dentists and dental practice groups.

Ms. Randall has extensive experience defending complex matters, which often involve substantial damages claims. Claims include traumatic birth injury, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases. She also represents hospitals in the defense of premises liability claims and products liability claims. Ms. Randall has tried numerous cases to verdict before Connecticut juries and has significant experience with bench trials. She has also briefed and argued appeals before the Connecticut Appellate and Supreme Courts.

Attention to detail and the ability to identify risks and challenges inform Ms. Randall's defense strategies. At the outset of a case, she determines a clear course of action to defend the claims facing her clients.
Exhaustive work-up of a case, including a detailed record review, research of medical literature, consultation with experts, and witness preparation, is the key to a successful outcome. When circumstances are warranted, Ms. Randall recognizes the value of obtaining timely and efficient alternative dispute resolutions for her clients through mediation or arbitration.

Ms. Randall works determinedly for her clients; handling matters as efficiently as possible. She values personal relationships with clients, co-defense counsel, opposing counsel, and those who comprise her team at the Firm. She works to minimize any litigation-related anxiety for her clients through diligent preparation and thoughtful communication.Given the challenges facing her clients, she understands the value of being accessible and responsive.

In addition to litigation,Ms. Randall provides risk management support for her clients, advising them on issues relating to charting, JCAHO, quality assurance, and minimizing exposure in future claims. She is frequently asked to lecture on a wide range of medico-legal issues affecting physicians and hospital staff members.

Indiana University School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Indiana University School of Law
Juris Doctorate,

James C. Graham

Principal
James C. Graham's practice focuses on bankruptcy and creditors' rights, commercial litigation, bankruptcy reorganizations, and professional ethics. He appears regularly before state and federal courts in a broad range of matters. These matters include bankruptcy reorganizations and litigation, commercial real estate workouts and litigation (including foreclosures, landlord/tenant disputes, and valuation litigation). Matters also include contract and other business-related disputes, asset recovery and collections, and professional ethics. Attorney Graham assists clients with acquisitions and dispositions of assets and businesses, and with debt restructurings and workouts. In his 35+ years of practice, Attorney Graham has represented the full spectrum of participants in the commercial arena. Clients include financial institutions and other lenders, debtors and debtors-in-possession, official bankruptcy committees, bankruptcy trustees and plan administrators, general and priority creditors, public and private corporations, and limited liability companies. He also represents landlords, tenants, insurers and insured, attorneys and other professionals, partnerships, and individuals.

University of Virginia School of Law
Juris Doctorate

University of Virginia School of Law
Juris Doctorate,

Lucas B. Rocklin

Principal

Lucas Rocklin practices litigation and labor law. He has extensive experience in representing financial institutions and creditors in commercial litigation matters including collections, foreclosures, workouts, bankruptcy, and landlord-tenant matters. Attorney Rocklin's labor law practice includes collective bargaining agreement negotiations and arbitration. He is decisive, effective and efficient and provides clients with regular communication about their matters.

Brooklyn Law School
Juris Doctorate

Brooklyn Law School
Juris Doctorate,

Jane Elaine Ballerini

Principal

Jane Elaine Ballerini practices in the areas of commercial real estate law, commercial finance and general commercial and business law. She represents local and national banks in the extension of asset-based, mortgage and construction loans to commercial borrowers. Attorney Ballerini is one of a few practicing U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Designated Attorneys in the State. Her subspecialty is representing traditional lenders and Certified Development Companies in transactions involving government guaranteed loans. These include loans made under the SBA's CDC/504 and 7(a) loan programs.

Quinnipiac University School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Quinnipiac University School of Law
Juris Doctorate,

Patrick J. Lapera

Of Counsel

Patrick J. Lapera is a business transactional lawyer with over thirty-five years of experience in sophisticated corporate, finance, and commercial transactions. He is admitted to practice in Connecticut and New York, where he works with clients on merger and acquisitions, divestitures, debt and equity and venture financings, tax exempt financings, reorganizations, real estate and construction contracts, licensing agreements, joint ventures, partnerships and limited liability companies, securities offerings, corporate finance, and startup company financing. He also represents clients in the organization and governance of non-profit organizations, including securing tax-exempt status.

Syracuse University College of Law
Juris Doctorate

Syracuse University College of Law
Juris Doctorate,

Joseph J. Andriola

Principal

Joseph J. Andriola is a member of the Professional Malpractice & Insurance Defense group at the firm. In this role, he handles a diverse caseload defending property and casualty claims, professional liability, insurance coverage issues, as well as automobile related litigation. Attorney Andriola has extensive arbitration and trial experience and a record of successful verdicts. His experience includes the defense of simple and complex litigation, involving monetary exposures ranging from thousands to multi-millions, pending before state and federal courts.

Attorney Andriola has led the defense of multi-party actions involving general tort litigation, automobile accidents (including UM/UIM), and construction defects. Additionally, defense matters include subrogation matters, products liability, and wrongful death Dram Shop suits. In his insurance coverage practice, he counsels insurers regarding claims arising under a broad range of policies: CGL, professional liability, E&O, liquor liability, homeowners, D&O, and excess/umbrella policies. For that reason, he is often called upon to represent insurers in the prosecution and defense of coverage litigation. Matters that include, for instance, declaratory judgment actions, bad faith claims and unfair trade and insurance practice claims.

In his professional liability defense practice, Attorney Andriola defends actions concerning management liability and employment practices liability against directors & officers of community associations and property management companies, non-profit organizations, and for-profit business entities.

Pepperdine University School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Andrew M. Ullman

Principal

Andrew M. Ullman is a member of the firm's Taxation, Trusts & Estates and Corporate & Business Transactions practice groups. His practice focuses in the areas of estate planning, probate, commercial real estate, and small business law. In the area of estate planning, Attorney Ullman works with individuals and their businesses. He assists in directing their estates in the most efficient and tax effective way. He serves as a trust administrator and counsels other trust administrators with probate issues. In real estate, Attorney Ullman advises on purchases, sales, mortgages, and other transactions on behalf of his clients. His work with small businesses covers the full range of small business law issues. These include financing, sales, management, succession planning and litigation.

Yale University Law School
L.L.B.

James S. Brownstein

Principal

James S. Brownstein's practice focuses on creditor rights, business law, commercial and real estate financing, general commercial law and related litigation. An experienced practitioner, Jim advises small to mid-sized companies. His clients represent diverse industry areas including; medical, transportation, retail oil sales, insurance, manufacturers, and real estate investment companies. Generally, his clients are companies with a million per year in sales up to ten to twelve million per year in sales. Attorney Brownstein is a talented business advisor and adept at solving complex business problems. His long-term clients would attest to his ability to plan a strategy that allows their matter to reach a successful conclusion. Recent matters include refinancing bank indebtedness, purchase & sale negotiation, and commercial litigation.

University of Connecticut School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Craig A. Fontaine

Principal

Throughout his career Craig A. Fontaine has concentrated his practice on civil trial work. Over the last 25 years most of his professional time has been devoted to the defense of medical malpractice claims, and the representation of physicians, oral surgeons and dentists in disciplinary and licensure matters involving the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

Attorney Fontaine also has an active practice defending attorneys in legal malpractice claims and handling various product liability and complex negligence claims. He represents employers in various professional claims brought against them, including harassment/discrimination, wrongful termination, and defamation in civil actions and before administrative agencies.

In addition to handling Connecticut cases, Attorney Fontaine has been asked by a national medical malpractice insurance carrier (and PIAA member) to be lead counsel on serious exposure medical malpractice cases in New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Maine. He was asked to be lead counsel in the State of Maine where 29 individual claims against 6 different doctors were filed in 4 separate counties. It was his responsibility to develop a strategy for the defense of the unconsolidated claims, and to attempt to provide uniformity and consistency in their defense. The claims included allegations of negligence in the informed consent process, surgery, and post-surgical management of the patients who had Vitek Teflon-Proplast meniscus replacements in their temporomandibular joints. There were also claims of breach of warranty, loss of consortium and product liability. These cases combined, involved the single largest exposure nationally for that insurer.

Washburn University School of Law
Juris Doctorate

James A. Alissi

Principal

James A. Alissi has 24 years of civil litigation experience. He is AV peer review rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest available rating. Attorney Alissi has significant trial experience in both jury and non-jury matters. He represents insurance agents and brokers, attorneys, architects, real estate agents, and design professionals. He handles cases involving the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA), the Connecticut Unfair Insurance Practices Act (CUIPA), The Connecticut Home Improvement Act and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act. He litigates matters involving liquor liability (Dram Shop), motor vehicle/ motorcycle accidents involving wrongful death claims, construction defect, product liability, negligent security, municipal liability, and transportation. Attorney Alissi has represented all three of Connecticut's Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporations, individual parishes, parochial schools, Bishops, cemeteries, and parish officials involving premises liability, defamation, subrogation, sexual abuse, and employment matters. He is regularly involved in various means of alternative dispute resolution including mediation and arbitration.

District of Columbia School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Beverly Knapp Anderson

Principal

During a career of more than thirty years, Beverly Knapp Anderson's practice has been devoted exclusively to civil litigation at both the trial and appellate court levels. Attorney Anderson currently focuses primarily on the defense of professional liability and employment law claims. She represents employers in various professional liability claims, including discrimination, whistleblower and other types of retaliation claims, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and wrongful termination, before federal and state administrative agencies and in court.

Attorney Knapp Anderson also represents health care providers in the defense of medical malpractice claims, in disciplinary and licensing proceedings, and in audit claims. She has significant experience defending dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons in dental malpractice actions and in disciplinary proceedings before the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. She also defends attorneys and real estate agents and brokers in professional liability claims and in licensing proceeding and represent insurance companies in insurance coverage disputes.
Attorney Knapp Anderson has a significant appellate practice, having briefed and argued before the Connecticut Appellate Court, Connecticut Supreme Court, and/or the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. At the trial court level, she regularly argues dispositive motions, including in medical and dental malpractice cases, and have been the first or second chair attorney in more than a dozen trials.

University of Connecticut School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Sean R. Caruthers

Principal

Sean R. Caruthers is a talented litigator with a broad range of experience, representing clients from individuals to Fortune 500 companies in all types of civil disputes. His practice is focused in the areas of insurance defense and coverage disputes, premises, products, and professional liability as well as commercial, construction, employment, and municipal litigation. Attorney Caruthers has the unique ability to represent a client through all stages of litigation, providing services from prelitigation advice all the way through argument at Connecticut's Appellate and Supreme Courts. He also regularly appears in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut as both lead and local counsel. Prior to joining Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C., Attorney Caruthers worked for over a decade at a mid-sized defense firm in the New Haven area.

Michigan State University College of Law
Juris Doctorate

Robert H. Flynn

Principal

Attorney Robert Flynn has been representing clients in state and federal trial courts and appellate courts for over 27 years. Also, he provides advice to business clients about risk management, pre-litigation dispute resolution, and general business matters.

Attorney Flynn's experience includes trial work, appellate work, arbitration hearings, and administrative proceedings. His practice areas include commercial litigation, products liability, insurance coverage, professional liability, real estate litigation, and claims by and against businesses, non-profits, and common interest ownership communities. His experience includes jury trials and bench trials, appeals to appellate courts in Connecticut and New York, and appeals to the Connecticut Supreme Court and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

He has represented public and private corporations, companies, partnerships, insurers, professional firms, property management companies, homeowners' associations, and individuals. Attorney Flynn examines his clients' goals and needs and works together with his clients to meet them. He strives to protect their interests and enforce their rights in a cost-effective fashion.

Georgetown University Law Center
Juris Doctorate

Claudia M. Sklar

Principal

Claudia M. Sklar has been actively engaged in the litigation of general civil and commercial matters, with an emphasis on creditors' rights including commercial and residential foreclosures, commercial law, and title insurance litigation for over 40 years. Her practice also includes: Residential and commercial real estate; Commercial leasing; Default servicing; Landlord/tenant litigation, eviction; Commercial financing; Loan workouts; Bankruptcy, debt restructuring; General business matters. Ever mindful of staying current with legal developments and approaches, and the delays and frustrations in utilizing traditional court-based litigation, Attorney Sklar recognizes the need for Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation (ADR). She has mediated the resolution of many contested matters through ADR.

Another major focus of Attorney Sklar's practice centers around protecting and preserving the rights of same sex couples, LGBTQIA clients and their families. Attorney Sklar and various other members of the firm bring an empathic perspective to the planning required to be sure that a client's life decisions are properly documented. Recognizing the ever-changing landscape of the law regarding members of the LGBTQ+ community, Attorney Sklar draws upon her broad-ranging background and experience to assist individuals and same-sex couples and their families on all legal issues.

University of Connecticut School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Jonathan R. Longobardi

Associate

Jonathan R. Longobardi is a civil litigation attorney whose practice focuses on motor vehicle, premises, and professional liability defense as well as insurance coverage disputes. Attorney Longobardi handles cases from inception through trial. He has successfully represented clients throughout Connecticut in insurance defense related matters as well as representing self-insured corporations and municipalities. When practicable, Attorney Longobardi has also represented clients in alternative dispute resolution forums obtaining favorable outcomes in mediation and arbitration proceedings. He joined Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. in 2018 with seven years of civil litigation experience.

Western New England University School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Dennis M. Carnelli

Associate

Dennis M. Carnelli is a civil litigation attorney. His practice focuses upon appellate matters and complex civil litigation in state and federal courts. Attorney Carnelli has experience in a broad range of areas including contract law and commercial litigation, insurance law (particularly coverage and subrogation), municipal liability, product liability, and general tort law (including personal injury, negligence, and premises liability). He also has experience in administrative law, particularly matters involving the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense.

Attorney Carnelli works with an extensive variety of corporate, institutional, municipal, and individual clients to identify and resolve complex legal issues throughout all phases of litigation. He often represents clients in civil matters before state and federal trial courts. His litigation experience includes representing clients in arbitrations, mediations, and at trial. Attorney Carnelli argues appellate matters to the Connecticut Appellate Court and Connecticut Supreme Court. As part of his appellate work, he advises colleagues and clients in identifying and preserving appellate issues in matters pending before the trial court.

A combat veteran of the Iraq War, Attorney Carnelli served in the United States Army as a forward observer with the 3d Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division. He continues to be active in the veterans' community. Attorney Carnelli is the Vice Chairman of the Veterans & Military Affairs Section of the Connecticut Bar Association and serves on the Advisory Board for the New England Veterans Chamber of Commerce. He teaches an annual course in business ethics at the Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Veterans at the University of Connecticut's School of Business. Attorney Carnelli has also served as a panel moderator and speaker at a veterans' symposium organized by the Connecticut Bar Foundation.

Western New England University School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Derek Mello

Associate

Derek Mello is a civil litigation attorney whose practice focuses on motor vehicle, premises liability, construction, and general liability defense matters. He handles cases at all stages of litigation, including case intake and assessment, managing discovery, preparing and arguing dispositive motions, and attendance at a variety of court hearings and court conferences. Attorney Mello has also represented clients at numerous mediations, arbitrations, and trial. Attorney Mello has represented multiple common interest ownership associations (condominiums and co-op associations). He has also represented clients in landlord/tenant cases, workers' compensation, and real estate transactions.

George Washington University Law School
Juris Doctorate

William D. Catalina

Associate

William D. Catalina is a civil litigation attorney with a focus on professional liability and medical malpractice defense, as well as general liability matters. He handles cases at all stages of litigation, including case intake and assessment, managing discovery, preparing, and arguing dispositive motions, and attendance at a variety of court hearings and court conferences. Attorney Catalina has also represented clients at trial.

University of Connecticut School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Kristin M. Ahern

Associate

Kristin M. Ahern, a member of the firm's Medical Malpractice group, works in defense of dentists and other healthcare professionals. Her practice also includes general liability matters. Attorney Ahern has experience working on personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability, foreclosure, and general litigation matters. Additionally, Attorney Ahern has experience representing juveniles in abuse and neglect cases.

University of Connecticut School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Joshua P. Joy

Associate

Joshua P. Joy is a member of the firm's commercial litigation group, practicing in a variety of areas. His practice focuses on commercial and residential foreclosures, with a significant emphasis on litigating contested foreclosures and resolving complicated title issues. Attorney Joy also has experience in matters concerning collections, insurance defense, and property rights. Moreover, Attorney Joy has an extensive background in handling mediations, and has been successful in bench trials.

Quinnipiac University School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Jennifer E. Czarnowski

Associate

Jennifer E. Czarnowski is a member of the firm's Real Estate and Commercial Finance & Banking practice groups, working to represent the interests of lenders. She has experience with residential and commercial real estate transactions and civil litigation. Attorney Czarnowski brings 10 years of combined experience in project and account management, business development, and management information systems to her current legal work. Her previous business experience with work in analytics, technical writing, and compliance, enriches her many contributions to the practice teams.

Quinnipiac University School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Janine Hodgson

Counsel

Janine Hodgson has devoted her career to civil defense litigation, representing individual and institutional health care providers in medical malpractice and general liability claims, and Department of Public Health investigations. She has successfully tried numerous jury and bench trials to conclusion in Connecticut Superior Courts. Attorney Hodgson has also successfully briefed and argued cases before the Connecticut Supreme and Appellate Courts. Attorney Hodgson's experience includes representing professionals in civil matters and grievances and representing employers and municipalities in discrimination and wrongful termination claims in Connecticut Federal District and Superior Courts. She prepares cases for trial with an eye for detail and with the goal of a swift and practical resolution at all stages of litigation.

University of Bridgeport School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Nancy Bohan Kinsella

Counsel

Nancy Bohan Kinsella practices in the areas of banking, bankruptcy, commercial transactions, and related litigation. She represents banks and other financial institutions in state and federal court in contested foreclosure and collection actions. She has represented creditors, trustees, and other entities in every aspect of the bankruptcy process, including trials and contested hearings before the bankruptcy court. Attorney Kinsella is admitted to practice in both New York and Connecticut. She is a member of the Connecticut, New Haven County and New York State Bar Associations. She is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and of the Connecticut Chapter of the International Women's Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation.

Fordham University School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Silvia M. Antonetz

Paralegal

Silvia M. Antonetz is a paralegal with extensive experience in commercial, corporate, contract and civil matters, as well as litigation. At Neubert, Pepe & Monteith her focus is business law, commercial litigation and real estate transactions.

Ms. Antonetz manages transaction closings and related documentation, such as preparation of closing documents and completion of due diligence and accounting. Her work in case matters includes commercial transactions, foreclosure actions, contract negotiations, and civil litigation. She conducts written discovery and assists with trial preparation procedures. Ms. Antonetz also provides attorney support with client interaction, providing hands on assistance through all stages of a case. She regularly prepares regulatory filings and correspondence with state, federal and foreign authorities. Filings are prepared for civil and housing courts in the State of Connecticut, Small Claims, Probate, and U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Quinnipiac University School of Law
Juris Doctorate

Regina M. Frangipane

Paralegal

Regina M. Frangipane has worked in the legal field for over fifteen years with a focus on real estate transactions. Ms. Frangipane works with the Real Estate and Commercial Finance & Banking practice areas. She provides the attorneys support in connection with commercial transactions, preparation and review of due diligence, residential transactions, work outs, and corporate formations.

Ms. Frangipane's paralegal work includes the preparation of documentation required in connection with real estate transactions, acquisitions, and sales, including reviewing title searches and policies. She drafts commercial loan documentation required with SBA transactions, as well as documentation required by lenders in connection with commercial transactions. Ms. Frangipane has further experience with the preparation and documentation required for entity formations, corporate dissolutions and secured party sales, having direct contact with clients, lenders and adverse parties.

Branford Hall Career Institute
Paralegal Certification

Lisa M. Giugno

Paralegal

Lisa M. Giugno is a paralegal with extensive experience in civil litigation. She first became interested in the legal field due to her great interest in reading legal case decisions. She obtained a degree in paralegal studies in 1984 from the University of Bridgeport and has been working in the field of civil litigation since then. Ms. Giugno still obtains great enjoyment in performing in-depth legal research. At Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. her focus is medical malpractice and professional liability litigation defense. Ms. Giugno completes written discovery and assists with trial preparation procedures. She regularly prepares documentation for case matters including the preparation of motions, pleadings, and discovery, and provides attorney support in communicating with clients and expert witnesses.

University of Bridgeport
Associate of Arts

Christina A. Noiva

Paralegal

Christina A. Noiva is a paralegal with extensive experience in Creditor Rights, such as residential and commercial foreclosures and bankruptcy. Ms. Noiva manages the preparation and filing of various pleadings and motions throughout the course of the foreclosure process with the civil court of the State of Connecticut and bankruptcy process with the Federal Bankruptcy Court for the State of Connecticut. She handles the request of title searches, military searches, skip trace, and appraisals. She assists with recording of deeds, assignments, lis pendens and releases in the land records, and ensure receipt of recording. Ms. Noiva assists with preparation of title claim packages and contested pleadings and exhibits and prepares files for the attorney for mediation hearings. She assists with short calendar review, marking, and notification and handles billing preparation in accordance with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines.

Champlain College
Bachelor of Science

Maresa Welch

Paralegal

Maresa Welch is a paralegal specializing in dental and medical malpractice defense litigation support. She practiced as a clinical dental hygienist for over 16 years in both general and pediatric dentistry prior to entering law in February 2017. Ms. Welch focuses on precise analysis of medical records, prepares detailed medical chronologies, and Excel spreadsheets of economic damages. She plays an important role with our defense experts and researches opposing experts. She also is the main facilitator for all medical records requests and comprehensive organization of these records. Besides civil litigation cases, Ms. Welch also assists with Department of Public Health complaints and creating PowerPoint presentations for attorney's who present at conferences and trial.

Tunxis Community College
Associates of Science