Attorneys from Murtha Cullina prevailed over their counterparts at Robinson & Cole in a $1.5 million fire liability case in front of the Connecticut Supreme Court.

The Murtha attorneys successfully represented homeowner C. Andrew Riley in his breach-of-contract lawsuit against Robinson & Cole's client, Marine Insurance Co., for failing to cover his losses after a 2009 fire. Travelers had argued Riley's use of a kerosene heater caused the flames, but a jury awarded him $1 million for emotional distress and $504,000 for breach of contract.

"We hold that the defendant waived its right to challenge the sufficiency of the evidence in the plaintiff's case-in-chief, and the trial court properly relied on the defendant's evidence when it denied the defendant's motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict," the high court ruled, finding for Riley, and upholding the Connecticut Appellate Court.

Here is a look at the attorneys on both sides of the litigation:

For the Plaintiff:

Proloy Das, chair of Murtha Cullina's appellate practice group, has argued more than 60 appeals before the Connecticut Supreme Court, Connecticut Appellate Court and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, according to his firm biography. He represented Republican Party candidates for state legislature seeking access to a third-party ballot line after receiving cross-endorsement. He also advanced legal doctrines in cases of first impression involving elections, torts, municipalities, contracts, insurance and felony prosecutions.

Murtha Cullina partner Kristen Zaehringer handles commercial litigation, professional malpractice, labor and employment, and local counsel services. Her focus includes breach of contract, consumer fraud, unfair trade practices, violation of state and federal credit reporting laws, business torts and confidentiality agreements.

Leonard Isaac, of Farmington-based Isaac Law Offices, represents plaintiffs in insurance disputes.

JIm Nugent, lead trial attorney for North Haven-based Nugent & Bryant, concentrates his practice on personal injury, wrongful death, defamation, assault and vehicular crashes. He served in the Connecticut Army National Guard as an infantryman for 11 years.

For the Defense:

Robinson & Cole's appellate practice group chair Linda Morkan has handled more than 200 appeals since joining the firm in 1988. She has appeared before the Connecticut Supreme and Appellate courts, the U.S. Supreme Court, multiple federal appellate tribunals and Rhode Island's highest court. She focuses on bankruptcy, environment, insurance, reinsurance, regulatory, land use, tax and probate cases. She clerked for Connecticut Appellate Court Judge Daniel Spallone after graduating law school.

Her colleague, Daniel Sullivan, is former co-chair of Robinson & Cole's litigation section and chair of the firm's insurance and reinsurance practice group. He is a trial lawyer with more than 30 years of experience in complex commercial disputes, focused on insurance coverage and extra-contractual claims litigation. He has tried more than 25 cases to verdict, final judgment, or final arbitration decision, according to his biography.

Jonathan Small represents clients in complex commercial litigation for Robinson & Cole. He focuses on insurance coverage and bad-faith litigation, unfair business practices claims, professional liability, class actions and appeals. Small also represents clients in cases involving allegations of unfair business acts or practices and professional liability, and maintains an active pro bono practice.