Alumni Notes

Send your alumni news of promotions, births, awards and other milestones to lawalumninotes@uconn.edu.

Christopher F. Droney ’79 Opens Independent Firm

Christopher F. Droney ’79, retired judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, has left Day Pitney LLP to open his own independent firm in West Hartford. Droney joined Day Pitney as a partner in 2020, having served on the Second Circuit from 2011 to 2019, and before that was a district judge and U.S. attorney for Connecticut. Additionally, he served as an arbitrator for the National Football League. Droney told the Connecticut Law Tribune that being independent will help him avoid conflicts inherent in working at a large firm.

Bryan Cafferelli ’03 Named To Lead Consumer Protection Department

Connecticut Gov.Ned Lamont announced that he has nominated Bryan Cafferelli ’03 to serve as the commissioner of the state Department of Consumer Protection. His nomination will need to be confirmed by the state’s General Assembly. Cafferelli currently serves as legal counsel to the Connecticut Senate Republican Office, where he has worked since January 2019.

UConn Law Graduates Named Cooper Fellows

The Connecticut Bar Foundation has announced its James W. Cooper Fellows for 2023, including eight UConn Law graduates: Christine Perra Rapillo ’90, Carolyn Cavolo ’99, Natalie Braswell ’07, Sebastian M. Lombardi ’10, Yamuna Menon ’11, Cindy Cieslak ’12, Claire Howard ’13, and Alison Weir ’19. The fellows are chosen from Connecticut lawyers, judges, and teachers of law who have demonstrated extraordinary legal ability; devotion to the welfare of their community, state and nation; and devotion to the advancement of the legal profession.