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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) presented the 2011 Best Lawyers Under 40 Awards on November 19, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. Attorney Proloy K. Das, was one of the recipients of this award that recognizes talented Asian Pacific American attorneys under the age of 40 who have achieved prominence in their respective areas of law while demonstrating an unwavering dedication to the APA community. CAPABA Members Honored at National Convention (October 2011)
- Rome McGuigan, P.C. is pleased to announce and welcome Attorney Adam B. Marks and Attorney Meghan M. Sweeney as associates in the firm. Both Adam and Meghan are graduates of the University of Connecticut School of Law.
- Acquittal on Eighteen Counts of Conspiracy, Mail Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Money Laundering
- In September 2009, the U. S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut charged Frank M. Ruocco, Boris Tomicic, and Earth Technology, Inc., an environmental waste removal company, with eighteen counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. The charges stemmed from a waste removal contract with the developer of a New York shopping mall. Ruocco was the owner of the company and Tomicic was an employee. The Government alleged that the defendants submitted inflated invoices for removal of contaminated soil.
After two years of battling with the Government over discovery and other legal issues, the case went to trial in October 2011. The defense argued that there was no fraud in the business deal involving the removal of soil. The jury was asked to decide as a matter of fact whether the defendants were acting pursuant to an agreed upon price for waste removal or whether there was, as the Government charged, a scheme to defraud.
After three days of deliberation, the jury found Ruocco to be not guilty on all eighteen counts. The jury also acquitted Earth Technology, Inc. on all counts and acquitted Tomicic on seventeen of the eighteen counts.
Attorney Austin J. McGuigan of Rome McGuigan in Hartford represented Ruocco. Attorney Kenneth Rosenthal of New Haven represented Tomicic. Attorney Willie Dow of Jacobs and Dow in New Haven represented Earth Technology, Inc.
- Attorney Anne C. Dranginis was named as one of Litchfield County's Most Influntial People of 2011. The recipients are chosen by Litchfield Magazine for their community spirit, and dedication to Litchfield County.
- Rome McGuigan, P.C. is proud to have been a silver sponsor of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's "Promise Ball" held at the Hartford Convention Center on May 14, 2011. The firm supports JDRF's efforts to improve the lives of those afflicted with type 1 diabetes and to find a cure through the advancement of medical research. Jonathan Chappell volunteers as a member of the board of directors of JDRF's Northern CT/Western MA Chapter and as the advocacy team chair of government relations for the Chapter.
- On March 4, 2011, Attorney Debra Ruel testified before the Connecticut Legislature Appropriations Committee on behalf of the Children's Law Center's funding in the State Budget. Attorney Ruel co-founded the Children's Law Center of Connecticut which is a non-profit legal oranization serving indigent children through custody battles in family court.
- Rome McGugan is pleased to announce that Attorney Debra Ruel has been installed as the President-Elect of the Hartford County Bar Association. Attorney Ruel will serve as the President of the Association for the 2012-2013 year.
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Attorney Richard Banbury will be delivering the Milton W. Horwitz Memorial Prize with Dean Jeremy Paul at the annual Prize Day exercies at the University of Connecticut School of Law.
- Rome McGuigan is pleased to announce Attorney Joseph B. Burns as the Managing Principal of the firm. Attorney Burns has extensive experience with complex litigation matters including intellectual property, commercial litigation, product liabilty defense, catastrophic loss, fire & explosions, and white collar criminal matters. Attorney Burns also represents clients regarding complex international matters.
- Attorney Zisca St. Clair, a principal with Rome McGuigan P.C., is a member of the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Chapter of EVERYBODY WINS! On November 13th, EVERYBODY WINS! CT held a fundraiser, “Night of the Chefs”, which challenged three local chefs to prepare a healthy school lunch on a typical school budget. The guests witnessed and the judges enjoyed the transformation of the traditional school lunch into a gourmet meal. EVERYBODY WINS! CT is a non-profit organization that provides reading enrichment programs to children in the Greater Hartford area, asking volunteers to come and read during one lunch hour each week.
Read Hartford Courant Article: Chefs Prepare Tasty Cafeteria Food On A Budget
- Attorney Debra Ruel, co-founder of the Children's Law Center, joined with other supporters of the Center to recognize and celebrate the Center's seventeen years of providing legal services to children in difficult family law cases. Ruel and others created the non-profit agency to protect the interest of indigent children in family court who would otherwise be unrepresented.Read Hartford Courant Article: Children's Law Center Celebrates 17th Birthday
- Attorney Richard Banbury, a principal with Rome McGuigan, is also the executive director and legal counsel for the Council on Probate Judicial Conduct. In that capacity he called and examined witnesses at the public disciplinary hearing concerning Southington Probate Judge Bryan Meccariello’s handling of the conservatorship proceedings of Josephine Smoron. The Council issued a Public Censure and Judge Meccariello subsequently withdrew as a candidate for election as Judge of the newly created Probate District for Southington and Cheshire.
Read Hartford Courant article: State Council Censures Meccariello In Smoron Case
- Attorney Austin Ryan McGuigan, a principal with Rome McGuigan, and Attorney Steven Melocowsky of Collins, Deans and Melocowsky, debate the corruption trial of Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez on The Real Story, Fox 61 hosted by Laurie Perez.
- Attorney James Ruel has been named a principal of the firm. Jim has been practicing law for over 10 years and has been with our firm since February 2008, during which time he has been invaluable to the family law department. We are very happy that Jim will be an important part of the future of our firm.
- Attorney Debra C. Ruel, a principal with Rome McGuigan, has been recognized by the Connecticut Law Tribune, Women in the Law of 2010, for her outstanding contributions and achievements as a leader in the legal community.
- Attorney Jeff Ment, a principal with Rome McGuigan, continues to develop our local community's future leaders through the University of Connecticut Leadership Legacy Experience. As an Alumni Mentor Jeff supports the students throughout their year-long experience, attending events and meetings, and also corresponds with them and conducts one-on-one counseling. The mentoring program allows students to develop relationships with University alumni with the goal of preparing them for leadership roles in their future careers.
