Burns & Levinson has announced the appointment of Brooke Penrose ’10 as a partner at the firm. Penrose is a member of the Intellectual Property & IP Litigation Group, and is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts.
Alumni
Jason Weida ’05 Appointed to Health Care Post
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Jason Weida ’05 secretary of the state’s Agency for Health Care Administration. The agency manages the state’s $37 billion Medicaid program, licenses more than 50,000 health care facilities and regulates 47 health plans. Weida lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with his wife, Kyley, and their four children.
Steven Blivess ’03 Appointed Chief Legal Counsel
The Frederick County Public Schools in Maryland has announced the appointment of Steven Blivess ’03 as chief legal counsel. Blivess previously served as the director of labor relations and lead negotiator for Montgomery County Public Schools, and has been an adjunct faculty member at The George Washington University School of Law.
In Memoriam: Daniel Schaefer ’64
Daniel Schaefer ’64, who worked for more than 53 years in the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General, died on March 28, 2023. Read his obituary.
Four Alumni Nominated to Superior Court Bench
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has nominated four UConn Law alumni to serve as judges of the Superior Court. They are Karen DeMeola ’96, a member of the UConn Law staff for 22 years who currently serves as the inaugural assistant dean for diversity, belonging and community engagement; Paul R. Doyle ’90, a partner of Kennedy Doyle LLC; Walter A. Menjivar ’12, an assistant attorney general in the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office; and Emily Wagner ’06, an appellate public defender at the Connecticut Division of Public Defender Services.
Magazine Honors Shane Goodrich ’13
Shane Goodrich ’13 was named a 2023 Excellence in the Law Honoree by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Goodrich is an employment litigation attorney at Morgan, Brown & Joy in Boston.
Carly Sirota ’21 Joins Spencer Fane LLP
Spencer Fane LLP has announced that Carly Sirota ’21 has joined the firm as an associate in its Denver office. She will be a member of the firm’s Labor and Employment practice area.
Ryan O’Donnell ’07 Joins Pullman & Comley
Ryan O’Donnell ’07 has joined Pullman & Comley LLC as a member and chair of the firm’s new Hospitality practice group. He works in the Labor and Employment practice and is counsel to the Connecticut Restaurant Association and the Connecticut Lodging Association.
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.
Claire Howard ’13 Promoted to Partner
Madsen Prestley & Parenteau has promoted Claire Howard ’13 to partner, as of January 1, 2023. The firm, which represents individuals in employment and benefit matters, has offices in Hartford and New London, Connecticut.