DanaherLagnese Announces New Principals, Associates

Hartford and Westport-based DanaherLagnese has announced Alice Vautour and Stuart Johnson became principals on January 1, and five new associates were hired. “These attorneys are extremely capable and serve the firm and its clients in an exceptional manner” said Co-Managing Principal Joyce Lagnese. “We are excited to have them in the firm”

Vautour works in civil litigation in the area of medical malpractice defense and represents health-care practitioners in licensing matters before the Connecticut Department of Public Health. She also advises health-care clients on risk mitigation and patient-safety issues and has been invited to speaker on topics related to risk management, best practices and developments in law.

Johnson's health-care liability defense practice includes many medical specialties, and he defends lawyers and law firms in malpractice actions and disciplinary matters. He maintains an active construction law practice and litigates insurance coverage disputes, and is a frequent CLE presenter.

DanaherLagnese also announced Hannah M. Reischer-Brode, Blake T. Sullivan, Shivani J.Desai, Jessica L. Sardella and Frank J. Garofalo have been hired as associates. The firm has offices in Hartford and Westport.

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Mayer Brown Advises CPA On New London State Pier

Mayer Brown recently teamed up with Robinson & Cole as co-counsel in advising the Connecticut Port Authority on its agreement with an affiliate of Gateway Terminal for the long-term operation of the State Pier in New London, Connecticut. Former Connecticut legislator Toby Moffett served as a senior advisor in Washington DC.

Under the terms of the 20-year agreement, Gateway is expected to assume operation of the State Pier on May 1. At the end of the initial term, the CPA has the right to extend the term for two additional 10-year periods. The new contract requires that an annual fixed fee of $500,000 be paid to the CPA, increasing by $250,000 every five years. The CPA will also receive a variable fee of 7 percent of Gateway's gross revenues at State Pier, with a minimum annual guarantee of $500,000 that has the potential to increase every five years based on Gateway's percentage increase in gross revenues.

Gateway also will share 50 percent of all wharfage and dockage user fees at State Pier. All together, these terms are expected to provide CPA with a substantial increase in revenue and expand the role of the quasi-public agency.

The CPA works to enhance Connecticut's economy and create jobs through investment and increasing traffic flow at the state's three deepwater ports and small harbors.