L-R Jerald Lentini, Jonathan Shaw, Avery Kahn, and Brian Kraekel of Ruane.

Four New Attorneys Join Ruane in Shelton

Ruane Attorneys in Shelton has hired four new attorneys: Avery Kahn, Brian Kraekel, Jerald Lentini and Jonathan Shaw. Kahn, Lentini and Shaw will work out of the firm's Wethersfield office, and Kraekel will be in the Shelton office. Kahn joins Ruane Attorneys after a career as a pilot in the Air Force. He recently passed the bar after finishing his undergraduate degree in history at Central Connecticut State University and his law degree at Western New England University. Kraekel, of Easton, received his Bachelor's Degree in English at Fairfield University before going on to law school at Fordham University and interning with Connecticut's Division of Public Defender Services. Lentini comes to Ruane from Bulldog Financial Group, LLC, where he worked as a Senior Vice President and general counsel. He earned his bachelor's degree from the New College of Florida and went on to complete his Juris Doctor at Georgetown University. Shaw joins the firm after finishing law school at Quinnipiac University. He completed his undergraduate degree in political science at the University of Delaware in 2013.

Joseph Martini Moves Over to Spears Manning

Former assistant U.S. attorney Joseph W. Martini, formerly of Wiggin and Dana, has been hired by Southport's Spears Manning as a partner. Martini spent 11 years as a partner at Wiggin, chairing the white-collar practice group and serving on the firm's executive committee. Before that, he spent nearly a decade serving as an assistant U.S. attorney for Connecticut. He has represented government officials, corporate entities and individuals in sophisticated criminal and civil matters involving the U.S. Department of Justice and many other enforcement agencies. Entities facing crisis situations often retain Martini to conduct internal investigations, and he has experience in matters involving the United Nations and a variety of administrative proceedings. “We are thrilled that Joe has joined our firm,” said Spears Manning Co-Principal Brian Spears. “Adding an experienced and skilled attorney like Joe, who understands the pressures and challenges in handling complex, often sensitive investigative and litigation matters, strengthens our capabilities and depth.” Martini credited his new firm with building “a well-deserved reputation as a a 'go-to' firm for white-collar defense, and the lawyers here have extensive investigative and trial experience. I look forward to collaborating with my new partners to continue to grow this exciting and dynamic practice.”

Robinson & Cole Lawyers Join Connecticut Boards

Two Robinson & Cole attorneys have been appointed to boards serving Connecticut constituents. Linda L. Morkan joined the University of Connecticut Law School Alumni Association's Board of Directors during the law school's annual meeting and awards dinner Oct. 16. Morkan is a member of Robinson & Cole's business litigation group and chairs the firm's appellate practice group, and is credited with “numerous appellate wins” during her three-decade career. The UConn Law School alum was active with the Connecticut Law Review and Connecticut Moot Court Board, and she served as an adjunct professor at UConn Law for more than a decade. Attorney Emily C. Deans has joined the board of directors of the Keney Park Sustainability Project, which promotes sustainable living and preservation of Hartford's historic Keney Park. A member of Robinson & Cole's environmental, energy and telecommunications group, Deans represents companies and commercial businesses before state regulatory agencies, including the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and the Connecticut Siting Council.

Quinnipiac School of Law to Host Open House Nov. 3

Prospective law students are invited to attend an open house Saturday, Nov. 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Quinnipiac University School of Law Center, 370 Bassett Road, North Haven. The law school has concentrations in civil advocacy and dispute resolution, criminal law and advocacy, intellectual property, international law and policy, family, tax, health and workplace law. “The Quinnipiac University School of Law is a dynamic law school, small by design, dedicated to preparing highly trained lawyers who will hold themselves accountable as leaders and serve their clients with skill and compassion,” said Dean Jennifer Gerarda Brown. Quinnipiac's clinical and externship programs immerse students in real-life work and environments. Because the state of Connecticut permits supervised law students to represent clients in their second year, the law school has been able to design programs that offer an extra year of hands-on experience. Quinnipiac's externship program has more than 300 placement sites.

Perkins Opens Fifth Office in New London

Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers has will celebrate the opening of its fifth office with a grand opening Nov. 1 in New London. Adding to offices in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven and Waterbury, the firm will have a party and tours from 5 to 7 p.m., including a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30. Perkins offers free consultations and home visits for clients in need. “Our injury lawyers are committed to honesty, persistence, responsiveness and personal attention,” said company founder Jonathan Perkins. “Our goal is to achieve the financial results that you deserve. When it is time to resolve your case—whether in court or at the negotiation table—having the Power of Perkins on your side means the best outcome possible.”