The National Football League announced the hiring of Christopher F. Droney ’79 as league arbitrator. In this role, Droney will be responsible for resolving all contractual employment and salary conflicts between players and the league. Previously, Droney was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on Dec. 1, 2011, and sat on the court for eight years before joining Day Pitney, LLP as a partner in 2020. In addition to the new, part-time role with the NFL, Droney will remain a partner in the firm’s Hartford office.
Author: Gosavi, Prasad
Silvia Schaffer ’12 Promoted to Senior Counsel
The law firm Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP. announced the promotion of Silvia Schaffer ’12 to senior counsel, effective June 1, 2021. Schaffer, who works out of the firm’s Orange County, California, office, was previousy an associate focusing on complex catastrophic injury, product liability, transportation, and medical malpractice.
Michael DiTommaso ’18 Joins Fox Rothschild
The national firm Fox Rothschild, LLP. announced the hiring of Michael DiTommaso ’18 as an associate in the firm’s real estate practice group. DiTommaso, who will join the firm’s Greenville, South Carolina office, was previously a clerk for the Honoral Alfred V. Covello of the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.
Raquel Herrera-Soto ’16 Joins Murtha Cullina
The law firm Murtha Cullina, LLP. announced it has hired Raquel Herrera-Soto ’16 as an associate in the firm’s Energy, Environmental and Utilities Practice Group. Herrara-Soto, who previously worked for the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for almost 10 years, will join the firm’s New Haven office.
DeVaughn Ward ’11 Honored as CT Attorney of the Year
DeVaughn Ward ’11 was named the 2021 Connecticut Attorney of the Year at the virtual Connecticut Legal Awards on May 12, 2021. Ward, who runs his own Hartford-based practice, was recognized for his work on behlf of individuals with Hepatitis C. Ward’s solo practice works in the areas of criminal and civil law.
Matthew J. Sponheimer ’17 Joins Cramer & Anderson
The Connecticut law firm Cramer & Anderson, LLP. announced it has hired Matthew J. Sponheimer ’17 as a trust and estates associate. Prior to joining the firm’s Ridgefield, CT, office, Sponheimer worked for several years at Hoyle & Sponheimer, a general practice law firm based in Ansonia, CT.
Jonathan Harris ’98 Joins Wiggin and Dana
The law firm Wiggin and Dana, LLP. announced the hiring of Jonathan Harris ’98 as a partner in the firm’s Life Sciences practice group. Prior to joining the firm, Harris worked as an intellectual property lawyer for nearly 20 years. Wiggin and Dana is a full-service law firm with more than 140 attorneys, with offices throughout the United States.
Gretchen Knauff ’94 to Serve as Leader of Disability Services
Gretchen Knauff ’94 will serve as leader of New Haven’s Disability Services. Knauff has had a 30-year career in disability work, and most recently served as executive director of Disability Rights Connecticut. She will take over as director from Michelle Duprey ’93, who now works as the city’s deputy corporation counsel.
S. Dave Vatti ’92 Selected as a Magistrate Judge
S. Dave Vatti ’92, a former Assistant United States Attorney, has been selected as a Magistrate Judge for the District of Connecticut. He was sworn in on March 22, 2021, and he will be resident at the Bridgeport federal courthouse.
Meghan S. Burns ’10 Named Partner
Meghan S. Burns ’10 has been named Partner at Ruel Ruel Burns & Britt, LLC. Burns practices exclusively in the area of family and matrimonial law, representing clients throughout the State of Connecticut through the litigated, collaborative, and mediation processes. She assists her clients in navigating the sensitive and complex aspects of divorce and works to resolve family disputes