Bethany L. Barrese, partner, left, and Theresa A. Guertin, managing partner, right, with Saxe Doernberger & Vita in Trumbull, Connecticut.

Saxe Doernberger Northeast Promotes Partner, Managing Partner

The Northeast office of Saxe Doernberger & Vita recently announced the promotions of attorneys Theresa A. Guertin and Bethany L. Barrese to managing partner and partner, respectively.

"We eagerly embrace Theresa's new leadership role as managing partner, where she will be a guiding force in the firm's anticipated future growth and development," said Saxe Doernberger partner Jeffrey J. Vita, in announcing Guertin's elevation. An active litigator, Guertin is co-chair of the firm's risk transfer group, representing clients in claims for property damage, bodily injury, professional liability claims, employment disputes and construction defects.

Guertin works directly with contractors and broker clients to identify potential deficiencies in policies before they are issued and assists in the negotiation of more favorable terms at policy renewal. She is also a sought-after speaker on insurance-related topics and serves as vice chair of the insurance law section of the Connecticut Bar Association and as a board member for the Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity.

Barrese's practice focuses on complex policyholder coverage issues including disputes arising from construction projects. She is a strong advocate for policyholders with a special focus on assessing and litigating bad faith and unfair trade practices claims.

"We are very pleased to welcome Bethany to the partnership and look forward to her taking a leadership role," said Guertin.

Saxe Doernberger exclusively represents policyholders in insurance coverage disputes.

Brody Shares Knowledge at Westport Event

Robert G. Brody, managing partner and founding member of Brody and Associates recently presented a lunchtime talk, "4 People Every Connecticut Employer Should Know" to Westport Rotary Club members, touching on issues employers face in dealing with COVID-19, the impact the outcome of the Harvey Weinstein trial will have on the #metoo movement, how transgender issues should be handled in the workplace, and other relevant issues regarding compliance with Connecticut Department of Labor laws.

The discussion provided insight and general rules of thumb to the group in a roundtable format, covering topics faced by employers in today's challenging and constantly evolving business environment.

Brody graduated magna cum laude with honors in economics from Kenyon College in Ohio and received his Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University Law School in Nashville, Tennessee. Prior to founding Brody and Associates, he was a managing partner Jackson Lewis.