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.
Alumni
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
Stager Clay Smith ’08 Earns Health Law LLM
Stager Clay Smith, LLM ’08 received an LLM in Heath Law from the University of Houston Law Center in 2020. In April, 2021, he joined Tokio Marine HCC as senior counsel.
Kelly A. Scott ’11 Named James W. Cooper Fellow
Kelly A. Scott ’11 has been named to the Connecticut Bar Foundation’s James W. Cooper Fellows Class of 2021, an honor bestowed upon outstanding Connecticut lawyers, judges and academics. Kelly is a member of the family law practice at Pullman & Comley, LLC.
Jeffrey White ’03 Elected to Board of Directors
Jeffrey White ’03 has been elected to the Women in Manufacturing (WiM) National Board of Directors. WiM is the only national association specifically dedicated to supporting, promoting and inspiring women who have chosen a career in the manufacturing sector. White is significantly involved with manufacturing industry issues on both a national and international level, and his three year term for this position will begin April 1, 2021.
Lahny Silva ’07 Appointed to New Board
Lahny Silva ’07 has been appointed to serve on the newly-created, civilian-majority board that will oversee police policy in Indianapolis, Indiana. The new board will oversee the rules by which IMPD operates, and citizen members of the board outnumber police who serve on it. The new board replaces the General Orders Committee, which was comprised of police department appointees, and the new board will be subject to Indiana’s Open Door Laws, requiring notices of meetings that will be open to the public.
Brian E. Tims ’08 Joins Start Up FLB Law
Brian E. Tims ’08 recently joined start up FLB Law of Westport, CT. FLB Law is invested in providing thoughtful, practical, and innovative solutions for their client’s legal challenges. Tims will be representing clients in the areas of civil and criminal law, as well as in general liability matters.