2 0 1 2
A N N U A L
M E E T I N G
Monday, June 4, 2012
9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Water’s Edge Resort
Westbrook, CT
May, 2012
Dear CTLA Member,
Please join us for CTLA’s biggest event of the year – our 2012 Annual Meeting. The
day’s events feature high quality CLE programs, informative and entertaining speakers,
and award ceremonies all taking place within the beautiful surroundings of the Water’s
Edge Resort.
We extend a sincere thank you to our generous members who continually support
the Annual Meeting. A program such as this would not be possible without your
continued involvement. Member contributions of time and financial support help to
ensure the on-going success of this exciting and popular membership event. This is
truly a collaborative undertaking.
For those of you who have not had the pleasure of attending this event, we hope
you can join us. As you look through the brochure, be sure to note the registration
deadline of May 23, 2012. Please complete the enclosed registration form and mail or
fax it to CTLA. You can also register on-line at www.cttriallawyers.org (be sure to log in
as a member for discounted rates), or call our office at (860) 522-4355 and we would
be happy to assist you. Seating is limited and this event sells out every year, so be sure
to register early.
We look forward to seeing you at the Water’s Edge Resort on June 4th!
Sincerely,
CTLA Staff
Neil H. Ferstand
Joan D. Maloney
Katie Marinan Marino
Ruth A. Straley
Brooke E. Chafin
CONNECTICUT TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
Monday, June 4, 2012 | Water’s Edge Resort – Westbrook, CT
2012 CONNECTICUT TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
Annual Meeting Agenda
8:15 – 9:00 a.m. 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Author/Speaker: Registration/Breakfast/Visit Exhibitors
Workers’ Compensation Review
Robert F. Carter, Esq. Carter & Civitello, Woodbridge
Expanded Supreme & Appellate Court Review
Author/Moderator: Carey B. Reilly, Esq., Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder, PC, Bridgeport
Panel: Robert B. Adelman, Esq., Adelman, Hirsch & Newman, LLP, Bridgeport
William F. Gallagher, Esq., The Gallagher Law Firm, New Haven
David N. Rosen, Esq., David Rosen & Associates, PC, New Haven
10:00 – 12:15 p.m. 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. Speaker:
3:45 – 4:25 p.m. Speaker: 4:25 – 4:30 p.m. 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Afternoon CLE: Federal Legislative Updates: Tort Reform
U.S. Congressman Bruce Braley - 1st Congressional District, Iowa
Legislative Review
Jay Malcynsky, Esq. - Gaffney Bennett & Associates, New Britain
Business Meeting: Elections
Cocktail Reception on the Royal Terrace
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. DINNER
CTLA Judicial Award: Honorable Barbara N. Bellis,
Connecticut Superior Court, Bridgeport
RisCassi-Koskoff Civil Justice Award: Susan Campbell, Hartford Courant
Guest Speaker: Susan Saladoff, Hot Coffee
2012 ANNUAL MEETING
MEETING AGENDA
12:15 – 12:45 p.m. Visit our Exhibitors
12:45 – 2:25 p.m. LUNCH
Speakers: John F. Kennedy, Jr., CTLA President 2011—2012
Michael J. Walsh, CTLA President 2012—2013
T. Paul Tremont Advocacy Award: Brian M. Flood,
Moore O’Brien Jacques & Yelenak
U.S. Congressman Chris Murphy - 5th Congressional District, Connecticut
2:25 – 2:45 p.m. Visit our Exhibitors
GUEST LUNCHEON SPEAKER/TREMONT AWARD/CLE
Workers’
Compensation Review
9:00 am — 10:00 am
A Comprehensive Review of Significant
Workers’ Compensation Decisions
CONGRESSMAN
Robert F. Carter
Christopher S. Murphy
Carter & Civitello, Woodbridge
5th Congressional District, Connecticut
Congressman Christopher S. Murphy is currently serving his
third term representing Connecticut’s Fifth District, which
includes the towns of Danbury, Meriden, New Britain, and
Waterbury. He serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee
and its Middle East and South Asia Subcommittee. He also
serves on the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform.
Congressman Murphy grew up in Connecticut, and attended Williams College in Massachusetts, graduating with
honors and a double major in history and political science.
In 2002, he graduated from UConn Law School in Hartford,
Connecticut. He practiced real estate and banking law from
2002-2006 with the firm of Ruben, Johnson & Morgan in
Hartford. Prior to his service in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Murphy served for eight years in the
Connecticut General Assembly.
Supreme & Appellate
Court Review
10:00 am—12:15 pm
A Review and Analysis of
Significant Decisions Effecting
the Plaintiff’s Practitioner
Carey B. Reilly
Author and Moderator
Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder, PC, Bridgeport
TREMONT AWARD: Brian Flood
Brian M. Flood was admitted to the State of Connecticut Superior Court in 1997,and the Federal Court
in 2001. He graduated from Providence College in 1989 and attended Quinnipiac College School of Law
where he graduated in 1997. Mr. Flood is certified and has successfully completed the requirements of
the National Institute for Trial Advocacy for litigation. He is a member of the American Association for
Justice and The Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Flood specializes in personal injury litigation in
both the State and Federal Courts.
Mr. Flood has served as the Deputy First Selectman, Portland, Connecticut from 2007 to the present, as
well as the Board of Selectman, Portland, Connecticut from 2005 to the present.
CONNECTICUT TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
Robert B. Adelman
Adelman, Hirsch & Newman, LLP
Bridgeport
William F. Gallagher
The Gallagher Law Firm
New Haven
CONGRESSMAN
Bruce Braley
1st Congressional District, Iowa
Congressman Bruce Braley is a trial lawyer
who was elected to represent Iowa’s First
District on November 7, 2006. He currently sits on the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform. He also sits on
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs where
he serves as the ranking member of the
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
Before serving in Congress, Bruce practiced
law for twenty-three years in Waterloo, Iowa. He served as President of
the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association, President of the Iowa Chapter of the
American Board of Trial Advocates, and was serving on the boards of
the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (n/k/a AAJ) and Iowa Legal
Aid when he was elected to Congress.
Congressman Braley was inducted into the American College of Trial
Lawyers and was Board-certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National
Board of Trial Advocacy. While he was President of the Iowa Trial
Lawyers, he started a scholarship fund for injured workers and their
families in memory of his father, who suffered a severe leg injury during a fall at a grain elevator when Bruce was a young boy.
Congressman Braley has spoken at more than 75 continuing legal education programs, and was a prolific contributor on trial lawyer listserves.
He has taken his fight for justice to the halls of Congress, where he has
earned a reputation as someone you don’t want to face in a Committee hearing if you’ve got something to hide. (Ask Roger Clemons and
former GSA Administrator, Lurita Doan.)
David N. Rosen
David Rosen & Associates, PC
New Haven
One of Congressman Braley’s proudest moments came when he took
on an entire panel of tort reformers, including Lisa Rickard, the President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Legal Reform.
Bruce and his wife, Carolyn, continue to live in Waterloo. They have
three children, Lisa, David and Paul. The home screen on Bruce’s cell
phone reads, “Be a Good Dad,” to remind him of his most important
job in life.
2012 ANNUAL MEETING
CLE & LEGISLATIVE REVIEW
Supreme &
Appellate Review
Panel
CONNECTICUT TRIAL LAW YERS ASSOCIATION
President & Officers
The CTLA Nominating Committee presents the following slate to be voted on at the
Annual Membership Meeting Monday, June 4, 2012 Water’s Edge Resort
2012 – 2013 officers
past presidents
President: President Elect: Vice President: Treasurer: Secretary: Parliamentarian: Immediate Past President:
Robert B. Adelman
Michael J. Walsh
Douglas P. Mahoney
Joram Hirsch
Angelo A. Ziotas
Rosemarie Paine
Michael A. D’Amico
John J. Kennedy, Jr.
Carl D. Anderson
James D. Bartolini
Christopher D. Bernard
Richard A. Bieder
Stewart M. Casper
Thomas A. Cloutier *
David W. Cooney
William. Davis (Emeritus)
OFFICERS & BOARD OF GOVERNORS
2012 - 2013 board of governors
Christopher Anderson
Peter J. Bartinik, Jr.
James W. Bergenn
Russell J. Berkowitz
Anthony S. Bonadies
John F. Buckley, Jr.
Pamela Levin Cameron
Robert F. Carter
Jennifer M. Celentano
Lewis H. Chimes
Mary Ann Connors
Patricia M. Cruz *
Vincent M. DeAngelo
Steven D. Ecker
Stephen C. Embry
Steven J. Errante
Joel Faxon
Brian M. Flood
Joseph D. Foti, Jr.
Jeffrey A. Friedler
James O. Gaston
Shelley L. Graves
Daniel J. Horgan
James D. Horwitz
John J. Houlihan, Jr.
Paul M. Iannaccone
Jonathan Katz
Richard J. Kenny
Joshua D. Koskoff
Brenden P. Leydon
Jason L. McCoy
Gerard McEnery
Christopher Meisenkothen *
Ralph J. Monaco
Ron T. Murphy
Kenneth P. Namnoun, Jr.
Gregory E. O’Brien
Timothy L. O’Keefe
Kathryn Emmett
Carey B. Reilly
Agostinho J. Ribeiro
Stephanie Roberge
Cindy L. Robinson
Betty Ann Rogers
William J. Ronalter
Harold L. Rosnick
Christian G. Sarantopoulos
Anastasios Savvaides
Matthew Shafner, Emeritus
Barry J. Sinoway
Paul A. Slager
Jonathan E. Spodnick
Alinor C. Sterling *
Jason E. Tremont
Joseph G. Walsh
Nicholas E. Wocl
Lincoln D. Woodard
James Wu
*Nominees to Board of Governors
William F. Gallagher
Andrew S. Groher
Ira B. Grudberg (Emeritus)
R. Bartley Halloran
Joseph R. Mirrione
Garrett M. Moore
Kathleen L. Nastri
Richard L. Newman
Anthony A. Piazza
Humbert Polito, Jr.
Robert I. Reardon, Jr.
Robert R. Sheldon
Richard A. Silver
Eugene K. Swain
William J. Sweeney, Jr.
Ernest F. Teitell
* in memoriam
aaj state governors
aaj state delegates
aaj minority delegate
Stewart M. Casper
Patricia M. Cruz
Kathleen L. Nastri *
Kathleen L. Brandt *
Michael A. Stratton
W. Martyn Philpot, Jr. *
CONNECTICUT TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
*Nominees to AAJ Positions
PRESIDENT
Michael J. Walsh
ichael J. Walsh represents plain-
again in 2008, Mr. Walsh was selected by his peers
tiffs in personal injury actions in both as one of the Top 50 Connecticut Super Lawyers,
state and federal court. He is a
as was published in Connecticut Magazine’s Super
founder and principal of the Moukawsher and
Lawyer section. In 2009 and then again in 2010,
Walsh law firm, which has offices in Hartford and
Mr. Walsh was selected as a Top 10 Connecticut
Groton, Connecticut. Mr. Walsh was admitted to the
Super Lawyer by the same publication.
Connecticut Bar in 1987 and the New York Bar in
1988. He is also admitted to practice in the Federal
Mr. Walsh has extensive trial experience handling
District Court of Connecticut, the Eastern District
plaintiff’s personal injury actions in Connecticut’s
Court of New York, the Southern District Court of
state and federal courts. Mr. Walsh is listed as at-
New York and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
torney of record in several reported Connecticut Supreme Court and Appellate Court decisions, includ-
From 1988 through 1989, Mr. Walsh served as a
ing Suarez v. Sordo, Chylinski v. Walmart, Inc., Meek
federal law clerk to the Honorable Ellen Bree Burns,
v. Walmart Stores, Inc., Rumbin v. Utical Mutual,
who at that time was the Chief Judge, and now
Filippi v. State of Connecticut, Weigold v. Patel, and
serves as Senior Judge, for the District of Connecti-
Falls Church v. Tyler, Cooper & Alcorn. Addition-
cut. Mr. Walsh is an active member of the Con-
ally, Mr. Walsh has served as an adjunct professor
necticut Trial Lawyers Association. He has been an
at University of Connecticut School of Law. He is a
officer of the Association since 2007, and currently
member of the Hartford County Bar Association, the
holds the position of President Elect. He currently
New London County Bar Association, the Connecti-
serves on the Association’s Executive Committee
cut Bar Association and the American Association of
and Board of Governors. He is a member of the
Justice.
Continuing Legal Education Committee, Legislative
Committee and Medical Malpractice Committee.
Mr. Walsh was educated at Stonehill College, where
he graduated with high honors in 1984, with a
Mr. Walsh is board certified as a Civil Trial Advo-
Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and
cate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Ad-
Computer Science. He received his law degree
ditionally, Mr. Walsh is an Advocate Member of the
from University of Connecticut in 1987, where he
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Most
served on the editorial board of the Connecticut
recently, Mr. Walsh was inducted as a Fellow of the
Law Review.
American College of Trial Lawyers. In 2007 and then
2012 ANNUAL MEETING
PRESIDENT
M
AWARD RECIPIENTS
CTLA JUDICIAL AWARD
Honorable Barbara N. Bellis
Connecticut Superior Court, Bridgeport
The Honorable Barbara N. Bellis graduated from Boston College
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classics and Economics and from
Catholic University School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree. She
was admitted to the Connecticut Bar and the United States District
Court.
Judge Bellis became a judge of the Superior Court on June 3,
2003. Prior to her appointment to the bench, she was a partner
with Mulvey, Oliver and Gould where she was a trial attorney specializing in civil litigation primarily for insurance defense, representing individuals, small businesses, corporations, schools and towns.
Judge Bellis is presently the Assistant Administrative Judge, the Civil Presiding Judge and the E-Filing Judge for the Fairfield
Judicial District. She is responsible for the training of new judges in the area of domestic violence as well as providing
e-filing training. Judge Bellis is currently a member of the Superior Court Rules Committee; the Superior Court Executive
Committee; the Public Service and Trust Commission’s Courthouse Security Committee; the Judges Advisory Committee
on E-Filing; the Civil Commission; and the Public Service and Trust Commission’s Jury Committee, serving as co-chair of its
Voir Dire Subcommittee. In addition, Judge Bellis frequently serves as a mediator for cases pending throughout the state
and is an active member of the Judicial Branch Speakers Bureau.
RISC ASSI—KOSKOFF CIVIL JUSTICE AWARD
Susan Campbell
Hartford Courant
Susan Campbell is an award-winning columnist at the Hartford Courant. Her work has
been recognized by the National Women’s Political Caucus, New England Associated
Press News Executives, the Society for Professional Journalists, the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors, the National Society of Newspaper Columnists,
and the Sunday Magazine Editors Association. Her column about the shootings at
lottery headquarters in March 1998 was part of The Courant’s Pulitzer Prize-winning
coverage.
Her book, “Dating Jesus: A Story of Fundamentalism, Feminism, and the American
Girl,” is the 2010 CT Book Award winner for memoirs. She has appeared on NPR and
the BBC, as well as CBS’ “Sunday Morning.” Her work has appeared in newspapers
around the country, and she is working on a biography of Isabella Beecher Hooker for
Wesleyan University Press.
The mother of two adult sons, and the grandmother of seven, she has a bachelor’s
degree from University of Maryland, and a master’s degree from Hartford Seminary.
CONNECTICUT TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
Susan Saladoff
Hot Coffee
Susan Saladoff (Producer, Director) spent twenty-five years practicing law in the civil justice
system, representing injured victims of individual and corporate negligence. She stopped
practicing law in 2009 to make the documentary, HOT COFFEE, her first feature-length
film, which premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, and had its broadcast premiere
on HBO in June 2011.
HOT COFFEE and Susan have received many awards and accolades since the film’s debut, and Susan has traveled
across the USA and the world screening at film festivals. Currently on tour with the film, Susan is going state by state,
screening at local movie theaters, law schools, universities, churches and community events, encouraging people to take
action to protect our rights to access the courts.
She is a frequent guest on TV and radio shows, including The Colbert Report, The Dylan Ratigan Show, and NPR, and
gives interviews regularly for print and social media, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The
Oregonian.
HOT COFFEE SYNOPSIS
GUEST DINNER SPEAKER
Seinfeld mocked it. Letterman put it on one of his Top Ten lists. More
than 15 years later, the McDonald’s coffee case continues to be cited
as a prime example of how citizens use “frivolous” lawsuits to take
unfair advantage of America’s legal system. But is that an accurate
portrayal of the facts?
First-time filmmaker and former public interest lawyer Susan Saladoff
uses the infamous legal battle that began with a spilled cup of coffee
to investigate what’s behind America’s zeal for tort reform. By following four people whose lives were devastated by the attacks on our
courts, this thought-provoking documentary challenges the assumptions Americans hold about “jackpot justice.”
2012 ANNUAL MEETING
Special Thanks
SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS
TO OUR SPONSORS & E XHIBITORS
BREAKFAST SPONSOR:
The Connecticut Law Tribune
LUNCHEON CO -SPONSORS:
Kronholm Insurance Services, Inc.
Robson Forensic, Inc.
COCKTAIL RECEPTION CO -SPONSORS:
4structures.com, LLC / John Darer
FindLaw
EXHIBITORS:
LOCATION & LODGING
Amicus Mediation & Arbitration Group, Inc.
Brandon Smith Reporting & Video, LLC
Case Funding, Inc.
Geomatrix Productions, Inc.
Injured Workers Pharmacy
Injury Med-Express
LawCash
Life Now Video
MW Financial Group, Ltd.
Northeast Legal Video
SSC, Inc.
The Lien Resolution Group
If you are interested in staying overnight at
Water’s Edge, we have reserved a block of rooms
for Sunday June 3rd. Please call 1-800-222-5901
to book your room and be sure to mention CTLA
to receive the discounted rate. The deadline for
this rate is May 14th.
Water’s Edge Resort & Spa is a classic, turn of
the century New England shoreline estate. The
20 acre property of beautiful grounds overlooks
the Long Island Sound and has its own private beach. It has 170 finely appointed guestrooms, an award winning restaurant, a luxury
spa, 11 meeting rooms with 14,000 square
feet of meeting space, Sea View Bistro & Martini Bar, outdoor dining, indoor and outdoor
pools, two tennis courts and a fitness center.
CONNECTICUT TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
Water’s Edge Resort and Spa
1525 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, Connecticut
www.watersedgeresortandspa.com
A N N U A L
M E E T I N G
Monday, June 4, 2012 – 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Water’s Edge Resort, Westbrook, CT
Choose One Option below * * * Registration Deadline: Tuesday, May 23, 2012
FULL PROGRAM:
(9:00 am – 8:00 pm)
Includes Supreme & Appellate Court and Workers Comp Reviews; Speaker U.S.
Congressman Chris Murphy, Tremont Award to Brian Flood, Afternoon program
Including U.S. Congressman Bruce Braley; Cocktail Reception & Dinner
CTLA Club Members & Members
licensed < 5 years: _________ $175
_________ ($205 after May 23rd)
CTLA Member:
_________ $195
_________ ($225 after May 23rd)
Non-Member:_________ $295
_________ ($325 after May 23rd)
MORNING PROGRAM: Includes Supreme & Appellate Court Review and Workers Comp Review
(9:00 am – 12:15 pm)
CTLA Club Members and Members
licensed < 5 years: _________ $125
_________ ($155 after May 23rd)
CTLA Member:
_________ $150
_________ ($180 after May 23rd)
Non-Member:_________ $195
_________ ($225 after May 23rd)
DINNER ONLY:
(6:00 pm – 8:00 pm)
Judicial Award to the Honorable Barbara N. Bellis, Civil Justice Award to Susan Campbell & Special Guest Speaker Susan Saladoff
CTLA Member: _________ $75 _________ ($105 after May 23rd)
Guest/Spouse of
CTLA Member: _________ $75 _________ ($105 after May 23rd)
Non-Member: _________ ($125 after May 23rd)
ENTRÉE CHOICE: c
Filet Mignon
_________ $95
c
Atlantic Salmon
c
Summer Fettuccine (vegetarian)
if more than 1 registrant, please include a separate sheet w/ the name(s) of each guest with his/her entrée selection.
Name__________________________________________________________________________________
Firm ___________________________________________________________________________________
Firm Address _____________________________________________________________________________
Tel ____________________ Fax _________________ Email _______________________________________
Payment Method:
c
Bill Me (members only)
c
Check enclosed
c
Please charge Credit Card (Amex, MC, Visa)
Credit card no. ________________________________________________ Exp. Date ____ /____
Signature ____________________________________________________ Billing zip code _______________
REGISTER ON-LINE: www.cttriallawyers.org and be sure to log in as a member for discounted rates!
Phone: (860) 522.4345 – Fax: (860) 522.1027
CANCELLATION and REFUND POLICY: CTLA will grant a full refund for cancellations received by the registration
deadline of May 23, 2012. Refunds will not be granted thereafter.
RETURN TO: CONNECTICUT TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION, 150 TRUMBULL ST., 2ND FLOOR, HARTFORD, CT O6103
REGISTRATION FORM
2 0 1 2
2012
CTLA ANNUAL
MEETING
This Year’s Featured Guest
Speakers Include:
Monday, June 4, 2012
9:00 am – 8:00 pm
U.S. Congressman Bruce Braley
Water’s Edge Resort
Westbrook, CT
U.S. Congressman Chris Murphy
5th Congressional District, Connecticut
1st Congressional District, Iowa
Plus...Don’t miss a special presentation
by Susan Saladoff, Producer/Director
of the Documentary “Hot Coffee”!
Scan this code for Express On-Line Registration
150 Trumbull Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford, CT 06103
www.cttriallawyers.org
(860) 522.4345