Best Divorce Lawyers in Ct
Thomas P. Parrino
Divorce Lawyers
THOMAS P. PARRINO is a partner and co-founder of PARRINO|SHATTUCK, PC. He represents clients in all areas of family law, including divorce, alimony, child custody, child support, and property division. With more than 25 years of experience practicing family law, Parrino is considered a top attorney in his field, handling some of the most intricate and high-asset family law litigation in Connecticut. He is a tenacious negotiator and litigator. He has been recognized as Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers and has been selected for inclusion in the “Best Lawyers in America” list, and the Top 50 Connecticut Attorneys, Super Lawyers, in 2013 through 2015 and 2018 through 2021 and 2023.
Parrino is a Diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers. The American College of Family Trial Lawyers is a select group of the 100 of the top family trial lawyers from across the United States. Diplomates, all members of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, are chosen based upon their recognized litigation skills and courtroom abilities. Nomination to membership is by Diplomate invitation only.
Parrino is admitted to practice in the State of Connecticut and the U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut. He is a Fellow and Past President of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Parrino currently chairs the Chapter’s Amicus Committee and previously chaired the Chapter’s Rules, Arbitration committees and Examining Committee. Parrino is a member of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, as well as the American, Connecticut, and Fairfield County bar associations.
Parrino recently served as a delegate to the National Board of Governors of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He previously served as the chair of the National Admissions Committee and a member of the National Test Subcommittee. He is also a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. Parrino co-authored a chapter in Family Law Jurisdictional Comparisons, Second Edition 2013, a book published by European Lawyer/Thomson Reuters. This book developed out of the increasing significance of international family law and addresses the need for a definitive guide to family law in core jurisdictions around the world. Six U.S. states and 37 countries compose the jurisdictions. Parrino wrote about many subjects that exemplify Connecticut family law, including finances/capital, property, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, child maintenance, surrogacy and adoption, civil partnership/same-sex marriage, and financial relief after foreign divorce proceedings, among others.
Melissa Needle
Divorce Lawyers
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 2019-2023.
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.
Maurice Segall
Divorce Lawyers
Maurice is an experienced mediator who’s worked successfully with many couples to reach mutually agreeable resolutions of their divorce, post-divorce, and prenuptial and postnuptial matters.
Maurice has been an attorney since 1988, and for the past 25 years has concentrated his private practice in divorce and family mediation. Maurice is a member of the Connecticut Council for Non-Adversarial Divorce, and a former Board member of its predecessor organization. He has served as trainer for Dr. Carl Schneider of Mediation Matters, and as a consultant mediator for the Stamford Counseling Center in Stamford, CT. He is a member of the Connecticut and New York State Bars. Maurice is an honors graduate of the University of Delaware and of Albany Law School of Union University.
Maurice is also very active in the community. He currently serves on the Advisory Boards of Family and Children’s Agency, and Circle of Care for Children with Cancer. He served for many years as the chairperson of the Pro Bono Committee of the Fairfield County Bar Association (FCBA). He also served on the Board of Directors of several other nonprofit organizations including the Wilton Library, Family and Children’s Agency, the Connecticut Consortium for Law and Citizenship Education, Connecticut Legal Services, and Curtain Call. He is the founder of the FCBA High School Mock Trial Competition, overseeing that program for 30 years. Maurice is also affiliated with Pro Bono Partnership, a nonprofit agency providing free legal services to charitable organizations.
Maurice was the first practicing attorney ever to receive the prestigious Liberty Bell Award from the FCBA, given to one recipient each year for outstanding community service.
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.
Education
- J.D., LL.M., Tulane University Law School, 2003, 2004
- Senior Articles Editor, Journal of Law & Sexuality
- Moot Court National Appellate Competition Team
- Senior Fellow, Legal Research and Writing
- B.A., Cornell University, Comparative Literature (Magna Cum Laude) and Latin, 2000
Bar Admissions
- Connecticut, 2004
- U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut, 2006
Louise A. McGlynn
Divorce Lawyers
Louise A. McGlynn is an experienced divorce attorney with over 25 years of experience handling all aspects of family law including prenuptial agreements, dissolution litigation and negotiation and post judgment modifications. Attorney McGlynn has extensive training in Collaborative Law and Mediation and works to help her clients reach a negotiated settlement to protect the best interests of the children and to preserve the divorcing parties’ relationship so they can co-parent their children into the future.
Attorney McGlynn is also experienced in real estate law and handles both residential and commercial transactions.
Education
- Pace University School of Law, White Plains, New York
- J.D.
- University of Connecticut
- B.G.S.
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- A.A.S.
Pro-Bono Activities
- Second Saturday, Volunteer
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association, Member
- Connecticut Bar Association, Member
- Fairfield County, Member
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Member
- The Collaborative Divorce Group of Connecticut, Member
Legal Training
- Special Master in Bridgeport and Stamford
- Guardian Ad Litem
Jacqueline F. Barbara
Divorce Lawyers
Jacqueline has been practicing family law since 1991, representing clients in family law matters from initial filings to post judgment proceedings. Jacqueline employs her extensive experience in and out of the courtroom to guide clients through family disputes, providing each client with the individualized counsel they need to formulate the best possible resolution to their case. She takes pride in being responsive and attentive to each client’s individual needs.
Jacqueline also provides mediation services to parties who wish to negotiate an agreement without court intervention. As a mediator, she guides parties through the legal processes applicable to family matters, and assists them in reaching an agreement that is in the best interests of the family unit. Jacqueline believes that mediation can provide families with a fair, reasonable and affordable approach to resolving issues.
Jacqueline often serves as a special master through the courts, helping parties resolve their disputes without a trial. She is also often appointed by the court as a Guardian Ad Litem or an Attorney for Minor Children in cases concerning custody and visitation.
Prior to joining Cohen and Wolf, Jacqueline was a partner in a small boutique law firm for over 25 years, serving Fairfield and New Haven counties.
LOUISE T. TRUAX
Divorce Lawyers
Attorney Truax has practiced family law throughout her career. She began practicing at Berkowitz & Balbirer in Westport, before founding Lax & Truax, LLC in Fairfield in 1998. She is now a founding partner in the firm of Reich & Truax, PLLC in Southport.
Attorney Truax is a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), a national organization with the top family lawyers from across the country. As a member of AAML, she is active on numerous committees regarding child custody issues, served as Treasurer and CLE chair for the national organization in 2014, culminating in the receipt of the Fellow of the Year Award.
Attorney Truax frequently lectures both in Connecticut and across the country regarding family law and child custody issues. She is the General Editor and author of three chapters of Connecticut Family Law, a publication of LexisNexis, which is updated annually.
AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Family Law
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Connecticut, 1993
EDUCATION
- Pace University School of Law, White Plains, New York
- J.D. – 1993
- Honors: cum laude
- University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
- 1984
- Major: Political Science
PUBLISHED WORKS
- Louise Truax, General Editor, LexisNexis Practice Guide: Connecticut Family Law, LexisNexis
- Recent Appellate and Supreme Court Developments, Connecticut Family Lawyer, 2013
DAVID ROCHE
Divorce Lawyers
Attorney Roche is a charismatic trial attorney and skilled negotiator committed to winning, and to championing the causes of those who are not able to fight for themselves.
Attorney Roche has obtained millions of dollars for his clients, and has been published in The Connecticut Verdict Reporter for his jury trial success. He has consistently been selected to “Super Lawyers Rising Stars” list, recognizing only the top two and a half percent of lawyers 40 and under in CT, and has achieved a perfect “10” (Superb) Avvo rating in the areas of Personal Injury and Criminal Defense. Attorney Roche has also been featured in numerous online and print media publications including the CT Law Tribune and the CT Post.
Attorney Roche earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and minor in Criminology from Western Maryland College, where he attended on a football and academic scholarship. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Quinnipiac University School of Law, where he also attended on merit scholarship. During law school, Attorney Roche worked with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in Sacramento, California. His passion for being a zealous advocate is fueled by the legacy of his late grandfather, and WWII Veteran, Charles G. Pillon, of Rowayton, CT, who was a licensed Connecticut and New York attorney and partner at the prestigious New York City law firm of Whelan, O’Neill & Pillon, while also acting as legal counsel for the Civil Service Reform Association of New York.
When he’s not practicing law, Dave spends his time with his wife and two sons, and contributes to volunteer and charity causes including coaching youth athletics in the Fairfield County area where he lives.
Hiring the best divorce lawyer in Connecticut (CT) can provide numerous advantages when going through a divorce. Here are some reasons why having a top divorce lawyer is important in this context:
Knowledge of Connecticut Laws: Divorce laws can vary from state to state. A top divorce lawyer in Connecticut will have a deep understanding of the state’s family law statutes, ensuring that your case is handled in accordance with Connecticut’s legal framework.
Protection of Rights: A skilled divorce lawyer will work to protect your legal rights and interests throughout the divorce proceedings. This is particularly important when it comes to matters like property division, child custody, alimony, and more.
Complex Financial Situations: If your marital assets are complex, involving assets like businesses, investments, or multiple properties, a top lawyer can ensure that these assets are properly evaluated and divided according to Connecticut law.
Child Custody and Support: If you have children, their well-being is a primary concern. A knowledgeable divorce lawyer can help you navigate child custody arrangements and child support calculations, always prioritizing the best interests of the children.
Legal Expertise: Divorce involves intricate legal procedures and paperwork. A skilled lawyer can guide you through the process, ensuring that you meet all necessary legal requirements while avoiding mistakes that could negatively impact your case.
Effective Communication: A top divorce lawyer is an effective communicator who can represent your interests clearly and persuasively in negotiations, mediation sessions, and court proceedings if necessary.
Alimony and Spousal Support: Determining spousal support or alimony requires a comprehensive analysis of various factors. A skilled lawyer can advocate for a fair arrangement based on your financial circumstances and the length of your marriage.
Negotiation Skills: Many divorce cases can be resolved through negotiation rather than litigation. A capable lawyer will possess strong negotiation skills to help you reach mutually agreeable settlements while minimizing conflict and stress.
Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution: Connecticut encourages alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation for resolving divorce issues. A skilled lawyer can guide you through these processes, helping you achieve amicable solutions without the need for prolonged court battles.
Emotional Support: Divorce can be emotionally challenging. A compassionate and experienced lawyer can provide not only legal guidance but also emotional support, helping you navigate the emotional aspects of the process.
Minimization of Mistakes: Mistakes in divorce paperwork and legal processes can have long-lasting consequences. A top divorce lawyer can help you avoid errors that could compromise your case or future.
Timeliness and Efficiency: A seasoned divorce lawyer understands the importance of resolving your case efficiently. They will work to ensure that your case progresses smoothly while avoiding unnecessary delays.
In Connecticut, like in any jurisdiction, the process of divorce can have significant implications on your life, both emotionally and financially. Engaging the services of the best divorce lawyer can provide you with the expertise, guidance, and representation you need to navigate these complexities and secure the best possible outcome for your circumstances.