Connecticut Lawyers

Medical Malpractice Law

21 Oak Ridge Ln, West Hartford, CT 06107, USA

Her practice concentration is complex civil litigation, principally high exposure medical malpractice defense. For over 30 years, she has defended hundreds of medical malpractice cases in all venues in Connecticut on behalf of physicians, hospitals, nurses, PAs, nursing homes and community health organizations. She also regularly represents medical practitioners and institutions in administrative proceedings before the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Ms. Lagnese has extensive trial experience in high exposure medical malpractice cases including wrongful death and permanent injury following surgical complications; hypoxic induced brain injury and Erb’s palsy during labor and delivery; delayed diagnosis of cancer and cardiovascular disease; permanent neurologic injury and death following general anesthesia; patient suicide in the psychiatric and primary care settings; catastrophic outcomes in the Emergency Department; blindness following ophthalmologic treatment; limb amputation in the vascular surgery setting among many others. Her track record at trial is impeccable as she has achieved defense verdicts in all of the dozens of jury cases she has tried to date. Ms. Lagnese has also been active over the past decade in advocating for tort reform to benefit the medical profession in Connecticut and has assisted in drafting reform legislation for presentation to the State legislature. She also devotes a significant portion of her professional time lecturing to medical professionals and working with hospital risk managers and quality officers on strategies to improve patient safety and mitigate medico-legal risk.

Family and Divorce Law

5 Imperial Ave, Westport, CT 06880, USA

Justin is an experienced family law practitioner and trial attorney. His matrimonial practice focuses on the representation of high-net-worth individuals, professionals, executives, and owners of closed corporations. Justin represents clients in all manner of family law proceedings, including custody disputes, alimony and support determinations, and the distribution of complex marital estates. Prior to joining Rutkin Oldham Contratto LLC, Justin practiced with well-regarded matrimonial firms in New York and Northern Virginia, where he represented clients in both routine and complex family law matters. Justin began his legal career with the Legal Aid Society of New York, where he initially served as a trial attorney with the Juvenile Rights Practice in Brooklyn, New York, and later served as a trial attorney with Criminal Defense Practice in Manhattan. While at Legal Aid, Justin represented children in abuse and neglect cases, child custody disputes, and juvenile delinquency proceedings; and represented adults charged with all manner of crimes in Manhattan Criminal and Supreme Courts. Justin was elected by his peers to the position of Vice-President of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys, a testament to his advocacy. A pragmatic practitioner, Justin recognizes that his clients are often best served by initially attempting to reach a negotiated settlement in their matter, which can allow for greater flexibility and discretion in the resolution of a client’s case. When settlement is impracticable, Justin is equally adept at litigating matters to conclusion. Justin received his B.A. in History from the University of Minnesota, and his J.D. from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. He is licensed to practice in Connecticut, New York and Virginia.

Civil Litigation

39 Sherman Hill Rd #202b, Woodbury, CT 06798, USA

Kathy Bower is the managing partner at the Southbury branch of Gager, Bower & Scalzo, LLP. She is admitted to practice law in three states: Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. Kathy also practices in State and Federal Courts in a wide variety of civil matters. Kathy is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the State University of New York at Oswego and received her Juris Doctor Degree from Hofstra University School of Law. She began her legal career in 1987 at the Manhattan office of Thurm & Heller; she joined Gager in 1990 and became partner in 1994. Kathy presently serves as a Special Master in the United States District Court. She also serves as an Attorney Trial Referee Arbitrator and Fact Finder at the Superior Court. She was admitted to the United States Supreme Court in 2011.

Family and Divorce Law

285 Riverside Avenue, Suite 450, Westport, CT 06880

LAURA R. SHATTUCK is a partner and co-founder of PARRINO|SHATTUCK, PC. Her practice is dedicated to representing clients in all aspects of family law, including divorce, alimony, child support, child custody, property division, post-judgment modification, and post-judgment contempt. Shattuck is an active litigator and has significant experience with large, sophisticated cases. She is a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent-rated attorney. Shattuck is admitted to practice in Connecticut; the U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut; and the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York. She serves as a special master for family matters in the Judicial District of Fairfield at Bridgeport and Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk at Stamford. She is also a member of the American, Connecticut, and Fairfield County bar associations. Shattuck is an active volunteer. She participates in the Connecticut Judicial Branch Stamford Family Volunteer Attorney Program, the Spire School Advisory Board, has served on the board of the March of Dimes Fairfield County Division, and is a member and former co-chair of the Clark University Parent Council. In 1991, Shattuck earned a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University. In 1999, she received her juris doctor degree from the Quinnipiac University School of Law, cum laude, and was a recipient of a Distinguished Academic Achievement Award, a Service to Community Award, and a merit-based scholarship. Shattuck also is a graduate of the ABA-NITA Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute.

Family and Divorce Law

285 Riverside Ave, Westport, CT 06880, USA

LAURA R. SHATTUCK is a partner and co-founder of PARRINO|SHATTUCK, PC. She is an active litigator and has handled many sophisticated cases. A Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent-rated attorney, her practice includes all areas of family law, such as divorce, property division, alimony, child custody, child support, post-judgment contempt, and post-judgment modification. She is admitted to practice in Connecticut; the U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut; and the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York. Shattuck is a member of the American, Connecticut, and Fairfield County bar associations. Additionally, she serves as a special master for family matters in the Judicial District of Fairfield at Bridgeport and Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk at Stamford. She is a graduate of the ABA-NITA Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute as well. Shattuck is an active volunteer and previously served on the board of the March of Dimes Fairfield County Division. She is also a participant in the Connecticut Judicial Branch Stamford Family Volunteer Attorney Program. In 1991, Shattuck received a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University. She received her juris doctor degree from the Quinnipiac University School of Law, cum laude, in 1999, and was also a recipient of a merit-based scholarship, a Service to Community Award, and a Distinguished Academic Achievement Award.