Best Divorce Lawyers in Connecticut
Alexander J. Cuda
Divorce Lawyers
Alexander J. Cuda is a highly respected family and matrimonial law attorney. With numerous published articles and speaking engagements, Alex’s leadership in family law is well-known. He has been named one of the “Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in Southern Connecticut” by such organizations as the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys (2017). The Connecticut Law Tribune recognized him as a “New Leader in the Law,” in 2014. Attorney Cuda was recognized and rated as a SuperLawyers Honoree in both 2019 and 2020 was a SuperLawyers “Rising Star” from 2012 to 2018. The Connecticut Bar Association Family Law Section also recognized him as a “Rising Star” in 2010 and 2011.
He was honored to receive the Connecticut Bar Association Pro Bono Award (2009) and has a 10 star “superb” featured attorney rating on Avvo. Alex is an experienced negotiator and advocate whether in litigation, mediation, or arbitration. He also provides skilled representation in family and matrimonial appeals. Alex is known for his forceful advocacy, responsiveness, and clear communication as well as his compassionate understanding of each client’s unique needs. He handles both custody and complex financial matters. Alex lives with his family in Fairfield County. Alex been extremely active with community service organizations focused on the prevention of Domestic Violence, Spousal Abuse, and Child Abuse. In October of 2020, Alex received the Purple Ribbon Award from the Greenwich YWCA’s Center for Domestic Abuse Services for his outstanding commitment to the victims of domestic violence.
MEGHAN FREED
Divorce Lawyers
Meghan is particularly experienced with alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation, is a graduate of Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation, and has supplemented her formal legal education with advanced training in mediation. She is a member of the Connecticut Council for Non-Adversarial Divorce.
Meghan has been widely recognized for her leadership in the legal community. She was included on the New England Super Lawyers® Rising Star list in 2013 for general litigation, in 2014 for her estate planning work, and again from 2015-2022 for family law. In 2013, Meghan was named a Hartford Business Journal 40 Under Forty winner, and a Connecticut Law Tribune New Leader of the Law. In 2014 the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF) named her one of 40 Women for the Next 40 Years.
Meghan is also particularly proud of her practice within the LGBT community. Her name appears in the Connecticut Supreme Court’s groundbreaking decision on marriage equality, Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health, for which she co-authored an amicus curiae brief on behalf of the Human Rights Campaign. Meghan has appeared on WNPR’s Colin McEnroe Show speaking about the state of divorce – same sex or otherwise, WNPR’s Where We Live, discussing the impact of the United States Supreme Court’s decisions in the same sex marriage cases, United States v. Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry, and on Lite 100.5 FM WRCH discussing the impact of divorce on clients’ emotional health. She is a founding executive board member of the Connecticut Bar Association’s LGBT Section and previously served as its Chair. In 2015 she was named one of the National LGBT Bar Association‘s Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40.
Meghan attended Mount Holyoke College and the only thing people want to talk about when they see Meghan’s resume is that she was named one of the top women commencement speakers in the country by Glamour Magazine when she gave the address at her college graduation. In 2004, she received her law degree cum laude from the Western New England College School of Law, which she attended on a full, merit-based scholarship. While there, she served as the Managing Editor of the Western New England Law Review, and received the highest distinction conferred by the Law School, the Norman Prance Award. Meghan is admitted to practice in Connecticut and before the District of Connecticut, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Tax Court.
Prior to Freed Marcroft, Meghan spent five years as Counsel to the Hartford Steam Boiler where she managed the Company’s litigation and negotiated settlements in complex financial lawsuits across the country. Earlier in her career, Meghan was associated with the firms of Shipman & Goodwin and Bingham McCutchen. Meghan’s experience as a complex commercial litigator and an estates attorney puts her in a unique position to lead Freed Marcroft’s practice helping clients resolve complicated financial issues.
Renée C. Bauer
Divorce Lawyers
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.
In 2015, the Connecticut Law Tribune named her Litigator of the Year. Renée tried and won the case of Soderberg v. Soderberg, which garnered national attention and debate about whether a child can successfully sue a parent for non-payment of college tuition.
While litigation is sometimes necessary, Renée believes in mediation and she learned from the best. She participated in intensive mediation training with renowned mediation expert, Woody Mosten in Los Angeles, California. These are skills she brings to every mediation session so families can reach the best possible agreement for their unique situation. Renée is also a certified Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) and Attorney for the Minor Child (AMC).
Her one-of-a-kind divorce group coaching program, the Divorce Soul School is sought after and sells out within days of open enrollment. This exclusive coaching program for women is about moving beyond your divorce into a life you love post-divorce.
Nicole C. Bikakis
Divorce Lawyers
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 2023.
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.
Lindsay Savona-Donka
Divorce Lawyers
Lindsay Savona-Donka is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts School of Law at Dartmouth receiving her undergraduate degree in finance from Lasell College in Newton Ma. Currently residing in New London with her Husband and son, Lindsay enjoys running, working out, cooking, and traveling with her family.
Lindsay has completed the 40 hour Guardian Ad Litem training class at Quinipiaac Univerysity in Hamden so she can represent the best interest of children in cases where custody/access is disputed. Additionally Lindsay has completed similar mediation training classes at Quinipiaac Univeristy in Hamden and received her mediation certificate so she can mediate divorce and custody cases.
Lindsay’s main area of practice is in Family Law. This encompasses cases such as divorce, legal separation, custody, access, child support, alimony, post judgment modifications, restraining orders, and educational support hearings. Lindsay is a trained mediator and likes to offer this service for parties whom are interested in an a non-contentious process.
Matthew A. Crockett
Divorce Lawyers
Connecticut Divorce and Family Law attorney Matthew A. Crockett is a former Judge and former state prosecutor with extensive trial experience. Matthew is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and veteran of the Iraq war. As a criminal prosecutor, military legal assistance attorney, military defense attorney, and military judge, Matthew has experienced and excelled in diverse roles all in the pursuit of justice. Since joining the McConnell Family Law Group he has limited his practice to matrimonial and family law.
Upon graduating law school, Matthew was commissioned as a Marine Officer and spent three years as a prosecutor at Camp Lejeune, NC and Camp Pendleton, CA. During this time, he litigated numerous contested criminal cases to verdict before judges and juries. Additionally, as a legal assistance attorney, he assisted Marines and their dependents in preparation of wills, powers of attorney, and family law pleadings.
In 2004, after being honorably discharged from active duty, Matthew was appointed by the Connecticut Criminal Justice Commission to serve as an Assistant State’s Attorney to prosecute in the Windham State’s Attorney’s Office. After a few years prosecuting family violence cases, Matthew was promoted to prosecute major felony cases. For over a decade, Matthew handled hundreds of cases involving homicide, child sexual abuse and exploitation, child abuse, serious assault, robbery, and narcotics trafficking. He litigated dozens of contested major felony cases to verdict before judges and juries. In addition to prosecuting cases Matthew frequently lectured on law enforcement best practices in domestic violence investigations, investigation of strangulation offenses, and technology facilitated crimes against children. He was also a member of the National District Attorney’s DNA working group and helped propose and draft Connecticut’s current criminal strangulation statute.
Eric J. Broder
Divorce Lawyers
I am often asked: “Why are you a divorce lawyer?” The answer – I get great satisfaction from seeing how well my clients are doing at the end of their case versus when we first met. Facilitating that transition and growth, while challenging, is the most gratifying part of my job. The follow-up question is often: “What prepared you most to be a Family Law attorney?” Ironically, the answer lies not in court but rather on a court – a tennis court!
Besides being a highly competitive tennis player throughout my life, I worked in various capacities as a tennis pro and in clay court maintenance. Little did I know that over thirty-five years ago, as a teenager and through college, spending my spring and summer days waking up at 5:00 a.m., rolling and sweeping har-tru tennis courts, carrying 50-pound bags of calcium chloride and clay, providing instruction to adults and children, and training for upcoming tournaments, that I would actually be learning how to become a Family Law attorney.
There are many similarities between a Family Law attorney and a competitive tennis player. First, preparation is key. Just as I endlessly practiced to hone and analyze every last minute detail of my strokes, it is necessary as a Family Law attorney to understand the details regarding my client’s wishes and desires, his/her unique situation, his/her spouse’s personality, and attitude, the strengths and weaknesses in positions, and the ramifications of the foregoing in light of the law. Second, being able to change strategies if your initial plan is faltering is the key to achieving a most favorable outcome. While preparing and counseling my client, I know that the other side is strategizing and preparing to take advantage of and expose weaknesses in my case. Accordingly, I prepare as though I represent the other side. Since I represent all different types of people, I have a tremendous advantage – as I often represent the “other side,” which provides me with a unique perspective, allowing me to effectively counsel my client best on how to proceed. Put simply, no one will outwork or outlast me.
Understanding conditions that impact a tennis match, such as weather, wind, and outside distractions, and managing to stay focused when there are other interruptions is crucial. This is why my tennis coach always made us practice in the most difficult of conditions, including on a court that was located off a busy street that shared a fence with a pool filled with children and an outdoor bar and grill. I had to stay focused and block out distractions, especially during swim meets and happy hour.
Robert Sheehan
Divorce Lawyers
Attorney Robert Sheehan focuses his practice on divorce and family law. He represents a diverse range of clients, who have great things to say about him (see testimonials). He likes to work together with his clients in order to obtain the result that they are looking for. He also prides himself on being available to clients.
Attorney Sheehan works “side-by-side” with his clients to understand the unique needs of each case, and develops an effective and specific legal strategy tailored to every single situation. He has been described as an attorney who displays “class, calm, patience, and effectiveness”. He displays a need to go “above and beyond” a client’s expectations. He does this by being flexible during representation and being ready for any issue thrown his way. He “genuinely cares” about his clients and their needs.
Attorney Sheehan travels throughout Connecticut courthouses for his family law practice, and has tried divorce and custody cases at nearly every superior courthouse in the State. He handles any type of divorce/custody matter, whether there is an “abrasive” or “erratic” opposing attorney involved or a difficult opposing party. Attorney Sheehan has “tons of knowledge and energy” along with being “wise, honest, and compassionate.” “He responds in a timely manner and always listens to what his clients have to say.”
Originally from Cheshire, CT, Attorney Sheehan obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut. He obtained his Juris Doctorate from Quinnipiac University School of Law and graduated cum laude. While in law school, Attorney Sheehan was a recipient of the Sappern Fellowship and interned with the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney and the Judiciary Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly. Currently, Attorney Sheehan resides close to his office, with his wife and dog (Winston).
Having the best divorce lawyers in Connecticut can offer several benefits during the divorce process. Here are some advantages:
Expertise and Experience: The best divorce lawyers are experienced and knowledgeable in family law, specifically divorce cases. They understand the legal intricacies, requirements, and potential challenges that can arise during divorce proceedings.
Legal Strategy: Top divorce lawyers can develop a solid legal strategy tailored to your unique situation. They can help you understand your rights, options, and potential outcomes, ensuring you make informed decisions.
Negotiation Skills: Skilled divorce attorneys can negotiate effectively on your behalf. They can work to achieve favorable settlements, whether related to property division, alimony, child custody, or support payments.
Mitigation of Stress: Going through a divorce is emotionally and mentally challenging. A proficient lawyer can help alleviate some of the stress by handling legal matters, paperwork, and communication with the other party.
Objective Perspective: Emotions can run high during divorce, leading to irrational decisions. A good lawyer provides an objective perspective, helping you focus on your best interests and the long-term consequences of your choices.
Legal Documentation: The legal process involves a significant amount of paperwork. Having a skilled lawyer ensures that all documents are prepared accurately, reducing the risk of errors that could delay the process.
Representation in Court: If your divorce requires court appearances, the best lawyers can represent you effectively, presenting your case persuasively and advocating for your interests.
Now, regarding the impact of divorce on the mental health of a spouse:
Divorce is a major life transition that can have profound effects on mental health. It’s important to note that the impact varies from person to person and can be influenced by factors such as the individual’s coping skills, support system, and the nature of the divorce. Here are some potential effects:
Emotional Distress: Divorce often leads to a range of emotions including grief, sadness, anger, and anxiety. The dissolution of a significant relationship can be emotionally overwhelming.
Depression and Anxiety: Divorce can trigger or exacerbate symptoms of depression and anxiety. The uncertainty of the future, changes in routine, and the loss of companionship can contribute to these conditions.
Self-Esteem and Identity: Divorce can challenge one’s sense of self-worth and identity, especially if the individual associates their self-esteem with their role as a spouse.
Social Isolation: Some people may withdraw from social activities and relationships during divorce, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Parenting Stress: Divorce can create additional stress for parents, affecting their mental well-being as they navigate co-parenting arrangements and potential conflicts.
Financial Strain: Financial changes resulting from divorce, such as loss of income or changes in living arrangements, can contribute to stress and anxiety.
Seeking Support: It’s important for individuals going through a divorce to seek support from friends, family, and mental health professionals. Therapeutic interventions, such as counseling or therapy, can help individuals cope with the emotional challenges of divorce.
In conclusion, having the best divorce lawyers in Connecticut can provide essential legal support during a divorce, while the impact of divorce on a spouse’s mental health can be significant and requires attention and care.