Gabriella Lyons ’06 has joined Norton Rose Fulbright as a partner in the firm’s corporate, M&A and securities practice group. Lyons will practice out of the firm’s Dallas office.
2006
William Powers ’06 Joins Spencer Fane
William Powers ’06 has joined Spencer Fane as a partner in the firm’s Business Transactions practice group. Powers has extensive experience with political and related compliance law, and will practice out of the firm’s Washington D.C. office.
Ben White ’06 Joins Barclay Damon
Ben White ’06 has joined Barclay Damon as a Partner at the firm’s New Haven office. White was previously at Murtha Culina and moved to Barclay Damon as part of a five-person intellectual property team.
Heather Spaide ’06 Named Member at Marino, Zabel & Schellberg
Heather Spaide ’06 has been named a Member at Marino, Zabel & Schellberg. Spaide joined the firm in 2021, and focuses her practice in the areas of civil litigation and employment law.
Natalie Noyes ’06 Named to Advisory Board
Natalie Noyes ’06 has been appointed to the Fan Advisory Board of Newcastle United, a soccer club in the British Premier League. Noyes, who practices in the film, television, music, and fashion industries, will serve as an international fan representative.
David Lawton ’06 joins Locke Lord
David Lawton ’06 has joined Locke Lord as a partner in the firm’s Bankruptcy, Restructuring, and Insolvency Practice Group. Lawton will operate out of the firm’s Connecticut and New York offices.
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.
Seven UConn Law Alumni Nominated to Superior Court
Seven graduates of the UConn School of Law were nominated to the Connecticut Supreme Court by Gov. Ned Lamont on April 13, 2022. They are Scott R. Chadwick ’87, a probate judge and litigator; Assistant Connecticut Attorney General Thamar Esperance-Smith ’11; Assistant Connecticut Attorney General Josephine S. Graff ’01; New Britain State’s Attorney Brian W. Preleski ’91; Charles M. Stango ’95, the supervisory assistant state’s attorney in Milford; Greater Hartford Legal Aid attorney Cecil J. Thomas ’06; and David L. Zagaja ’93, supervisory assistant state’s attorney.
Cecil J. Thomas ’06 Appointed as the CBA’s President
The Connecticut Bar Association has announced the appointment of Cecil J. Thomas ’06 as the organization’s president for 2021-22. Thomas is an attorney at Greater Hartford Legal Aid, Inc., where he specializes in representing low-income clients. Thomas previously served as the CBA’s vice president in 2019-20, and has been involved in numerous activities for the organization, such as the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic Task Force and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Karen M. Sills ’06 Named to Hartford Business Journal 40 Under Forty
Karen Sills ’06 has been included in Hartford Business Journal’s 2020 40 under 40 young professionals in Connecticut list. Sills is vice president and corporate counsel at Prudential Financial, where she has worked since 2011. The 40 Under Forty Award recognizes 40 young professionals in the Greater Hartford area who are excelling in leadership roles.