Best Family Lawyer in Connecticut
TJ Morelli-Wolfe
Family Lawyer
Choose the Law Office of TJ Morelli-Wolfe to experience a lawyer and representation that will help you gain and protect what is rightfully yours. Committed to being knowledgeable, approachable, and responsive, I’m your choice for expert legal solutions. Located in Norwich, CT, I serve clients throughout Connecticut and New York.
I am a graduate of Missouri State University and Washington College of Law at American University. With over 25 years of practice, I’m an experienced and trusted lawyer who excels in uncovering even the smallest details, ultimately helping my clients gain what is rightfully theirs. I’ve also been recognized on more than one occasion by the Connecticut Bar Association for my outstanding pro bono work.
RICHARD C.H. MARQUETTE
Family Lawyer
Attorney Richard C.H. Marquette is the Managing Attorney and Owner of Goldblatt, Marquette & Rashba, PC. He is a graduate of Yale University, where he earned two Masters Degrees. He received his law degree from the University of Virginia, where he was an Editor for the Virginia Tax Review, and also a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and an M.B.A. from New York University. In a few months, he anticipates completing the Public Leadership program at Harvard University.
After graduating from law school, Attorney Marquette worked for two large, high-power law firms where he sharpened his skills as a lawyer and learned how to navigate the legal system. With his 31 years of practice, Attorney Marquette has gained tremendous experience as a trial attorney, representing clients in a variety of criminal and family cases in New York and Connecticut state and Federal courts. He has also served as a Federal Mediator for the United States Federal Court for the Southern District of New York.
Paul McConnell
Family Lawyer
Connecticut Divorce Mediator and Family Law Attorney Paul McConnell is a former Judge, Marine Corps infantry officer, and federal prosecutor with extensive grand jury, trial, and appellate experience. Paul was educated in mediation and jurisprudence by the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada and by the Connecticut Council for Non-adversarial Divorce (CCND). He is a highly skilled mediator, trial lawyer, advocate, and negotiator.
He has been the lead counsel or presiding judge in hundreds of matters including over 55 jury trials. Following 18 years of public service, Paul started his own firm in 2014 to focus on one thing: representing individuals with passion and purpose. Presently, Paul limits his practice to divorce and family law while occasionally accepting federal criminal defense matters and/or prospective claims under the Federal Tort Claim Act. He is involved in strategically planning for nearly all cases in his firm and routinely represents clients in Fairfield and Hartford counties.
Melissa Needle
Family Lawyer
Attorney Melissa Needle is a lifetime Connecticut resident. She was born in New Haven, raised in Fairfield, and now resides in Westport with her family. Attorney Needle is a third-generation attorney with deep family roots in Connecticut. Her father, Attorney Charles Needle, was a founder of the Connecticut firm Zeldes, Needle & Cooper in 1971. Since her admission to the Connecticut Bar in 1990, Melissa has exclusively practiced divorce and family law. Melissa started Needle | Cuda: Divorce and Family Law in 2010. The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys named Needle | Cuda a Connecticut Top 10 Best Firm in Client Satisfaction in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Attorney Needle is an active litigator with an impressive track record. Many of the cases in which Melissa appears involve high net worth divorce property division, complex business valuations, highly contested custody, and petitions for child relocation. She is well-known in Connecticut courts as a forceful, but fair fighter; an attorney with great integrity; and as a worthy adversary who does not shy away from litigation if that path is the best opportunity for her client to reach an equitable solution. Melissa understands that divorce is not just about the dissolution of marriage or stop-gap solutions but helping clients develop and negotiate a comprehensive plan for the rest of their lives.
DANIEL H. MILLER
Family Lawyer
Attorney Miller was admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut in 2007. He has worked as a Special Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Waterbury. As a prosecutor, he had the opportunity to handle and try criminal cases of all types, ranging from infractions to serious felonies.
Attorney Miller has experience representing a diverse range of clientele, from individuals to multinational corporations. He is certified through the state of Connecticut as a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) for both children and adults and has been appointed on hundreds of cases. Attorney Miller’s family law practice ranges from high-conflict and high-net-worth matters to non-adversarial mediations.
Renée C. Bauer
Family Lawyer
Renée strongly believes that reconfigured families can work. This is a philosophy she applies to her job in the office and her job at home as a mom and stepmom to four children.
Recognizing that people need reliable information about divorce, Renée penned the book Divorce in Connecticut, which can be found in every library throughout the state. Then one day she realized that children needed a resource also to help them understand divorce and with her son’s help, she authored the children’s book, Percy’s Imperfectly Perfect Family. Renee also authored the Ultimate Guide to Solo and Small Firm Success.
Renée is active in the legal community both presenting legal education seminars and regularly writing articles on family law. She is called upon by newspapers, radio shows, and even television reporters to comment on current legal topics. She frequently speaks at workshops for teenage girls on empowerment and self-worth.Renee has spoken across the world about relationships, the art of reinvention, life after divorce. She hosted a live broadcast in Taiwan in April, 2021 all about letting go of relationships and moving on.
Nicole C. Bikakis
Family Lawyer
Nicole C. Bikakis is a partner at Dolan Divorce Lawyers. Nicole handles Family Law matters for the firm, with a particular focus on mediation, collaborative divorce, and prenuptial agreements. Attorney Bikakis joins Dolan Divorce Lawyers after working as an associate attorney at Saxe, Doernberger & Vita, P.C., in Trumbull Connecticut. Attorney Bikakis was selected to the New England Super Lawyers Rising Star list from 2016 through 2022.
During law school, Attorney Bikakis also interned for the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, and at a law firm in Stamford, Connecticut focused on commercial law. After graduating from law school, Attorney Bikakis served as a clerk in the Civil Division of the Connecticut Superior Court, where she gained valuable experience and contacts working on family cases and other civil matters. She then moved to Saxe, Doernberger & Vita, P.C., in 2014, before joining Dolan Divorce Lawyers in 2018.
Gregory A. Allen
Family Lawyer
Attorney Allen has extensive litigation experience including arbitrating, mediating, and trying family disputes. His family practice includes everything from amicable mediated property-only divorces to complex litigated divorce and custody matters. His real estate practice concentrates on residential real estate closings. Our firm has relationships with a number of local real estate agents and lenders. Attorney Allen is licensed to practice in all Connecticut State and Federal courts.
Attorney Allen has been recently selected by the New Haven Register for inclusion in their list of the Best in New Haven series. He has also been recognized by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys, Inc. as one of the top 10 personal injury attorneys under age 40 in Connecticut.
Find the Right Connecticut Family Lawyer: Essential Tips
Facing a family law issue in Connecticut? Finding the perfect lawyer is crucial. Here’s a guide to navigating your search for a reputable Connecticut family lawyer:
Leverage Your Network: Personal referrals are invaluable. Ask friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations of experienced Connecticut family lawyers. Their firsthand experiences can connect you with skilled and reliable legal professionals.
Explore Online Directories: Utilize online resources like the Connecticut Bar Association website (https://www.ctbar.org/) or legal directories to find family lawyers in your area. These directories often detail lawyer credentials, practice areas, and contact information.
Tap into Bar Association Resources: The Connecticut Bar Association (https://www.ctbar.org/) offers a lawyer referral service and directory. These resources connect you with qualified family lawyers who are members of the bar association.
Seek Client Reviews and Testimonials: While individual experiences vary, reviews offer valuable insights. Look for client reviews and testimonials on platforms like Google reviews, legal review websites, or lawyer-specific websites. This allows you to gauge a lawyer’s reputation and the quality of service they provide.
Schedule Consultations: Don’t settle for the first name you find. Schedule consultations with potential Connecticut family lawyers to discuss your case and assess their suitability. Ask about their experience, track record, approach to family law, and how they will handle your specific situation.
Experience Matters: Seek lawyers who specialize in family law and have experience handling cases similar to yours. Verify their credentials, certifications, and memberships in relevant family law professional associations.
Fees and Communication: Transparency is key. Discuss the lawyer’s fee structure, including billing methods and rates, to ensure it aligns with your budget. Additionally, assess their communication style and responsiveness. Open and effective communication is vital for a successful attorney-client relationship.
Finding the Right Fit: Remember, the “best” lawyer depends on your unique needs. Consider factors like experience, specialization, reputation, communication skills, availability, and affordability. Choose a Connecticut family lawyer who not only possesses the legal expertise but also understands your circumstances and can provide the personalized support and guidance you deserve.