Super lawyers, bar none
A total 61 Robinson & Cole attorneys were named “Super Lawyers” in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Florida for 2013. The Super Lawyers is a national legal-rating of Thompson-Reuters. Its designations are based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research and a peer review process encompassing multiple practice areas. Seven “Super Lawyers” were from the firm”™s Stamford office:
”¢ Joseph L. Clasen ”” business litigation;
”¢ Eric J. Dale ”” business/corporate;
”¢ Thomas J. Donlon ”” appellate;
”¢ Steven L. Elbaum ”” real estate;
”¢ Pamela K. Elkow ”” environmental;
”¢ John H. Kane ”” personal injury defense: products; and
”¢ Edward V. O”™Hanlan ”” land use/zoning.
Additionally, Charles F. Martin III in real estate law, Robert G. Rahilly in real estate law and Brian J. Wheelin in business litigation were named “Rising Stars” by the rating service, three of the 19 total that were chosen as such.
Super lawyers, part two
Four principals at Westport law firm Levett Rockwood ”“ Rob Laplaca, Andrew Nevas, Frank Silvestri and Barbara Young ”“ have earned the accolade Super Lawyers, a Thompson-Reuters designation. Laplaca and Young were tapped for business litigation and business/corporate, respectively.
This is the third straight year that Nevas and Silvestri were honored by their peers for their business litigation practices. Silvestri was further recognized for the third straight year as one of the top 50 lawyers in the state.
Targeting pancreatic cancer
Tom”™s Cure is a charity founded in memory of former Norwalk resident Tom Arthur. Tom”™s Cure hit a fundraising milestone in the fight against pancreatic cancer, raising $100,000 in just under two years. The money has been raised through food and wine tasting events, community walks and private donations. Tom”™s Cure gives 80 percent of the money it raises to The Lustgarten Foundation and has subsequently developed a wonderful relationship with many of the scientists there working to find a cure. Seen here, volunteers recently prepared to hand over $50,000 toward the effort.
Downtown: The lights are much brighter there
RMS Companies, developer of The Moderne, a new 58-unit luxury rental community in downtown Stamford and the Downtown Special Services District (DSSD) collaborated to gather more than 100 Stamford “Downtowners” together to experience The Moderne, try new restaurants, meet new retailers and businesses in town and to meet and mingle with one another.
The Downtowner event was originally launched a few years ago by the DSSD to promote downtown living. The fourth annual event took place Sept. 25. Morton”™s Steakhouse, Murphy”™s Townhouse, Bar Q, Kona Grill and Columbus Park served an array of food and wine. More than 100 goody bags and a dozen door prizes were donated and included merchandise, coupons and gift certificates from local businesses, including Fleet Feet, The Avon Theatre, Pinot”™s Palette, Fly Wheel, Hotel Zero Degrees in Norwalk, Stamford magazine, Station Eats, The Style Bar, The Stamford Town Center Mall, The Bridal Suite ”“ Stamford, Agora Spa at the Marriott and Broadway Kitchens & Baths of Connecticut.
13th time still a charm for Hoffman
Wilton-based Hoffman Landscapes Inc. was again recognized by industry peers and professionals for outstanding work in the field of design/build with two awards this year from the Professional Landcare Network”™s (PLANET) National Landscape Awards of Excellence program, considered the Oscars of the industry.
“We are honored and proud to receive these most recent awards,” said Hoffman President Mike Hoffman, whose company garnered the Grand Award for a New Canaan property and a Merit Award for a Fairfield residence in the Residential Design-Build category. Hoffman beat out entries nationwide in PLANET”™s 44th awards competition and made it the company”™s 13th year of consecutive wins.
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Kaswan advances at CI
Connecticut Innovations, the state”™s quasi-public authority responsible for growing Connecticut businesses through innovative financing and strategic assistance, today announced that Suzanne Kaswan has been promoted to vice president of human resources (HR). Kaswan was previously the HR director for the organization. The elevated title was recently approved by the CI Board of Directors.
“This promotion recognizes the greatly expanded scope of the position, as it requires leading human resources activities not only for CI but also for the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority, or CEFIA,” said Claire Leonardi, CEO of Connecticut Innovations.
Banking well, doing good
Business and community leaders gathered in Stamford Oct. 9 to celebrate the rebranding of Stamford First Bank to Bankwell in Stamford. As part of its ongoing commitment to the Stamford community, the bank donated $1,500 each to two local nonprofits, The Umbrella Club and Kids Helping Kids.
From left, Bankwell President Heidi DeWyngaert; Joseph Giancola and Scott Kelly of the Umbrella Club; Jennifer and Lexi Kelley of Kids Helping Kids; Bob Giangoia of the Umbrella Club; and Bankwell Vice President Bob Hagan.
Design wizards
Stamford-based Taylor Design received four awards at the 2013 American Graphic Design Awards competition, presented by Graphic Design USA magazine. Among the projects recognized was Columbia University”™s Ideas at Work magazine designed by Steph Mullins Baumer, Sarah Lawrence magazine designed by Hannah Fichandler, the 2013 Taylor Design calendar designed by Steve Habersang and illustrated by Vaughn Fender, and the 2013 CADC awards show poster designed and illustrated by Ryan Crane.
Taylor Design offers a wide range of digital and social media expertise to help clients express themselves and promote their brands online.
Lyme Disease’s new adversary
The Stamford-based Lyme Research Alliance (LRA), the nation”™s largest private funder of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases research at major universities, announced Mark Hopwood has joined its board of directors.
“We are delighted to welcome Mark to the board. His range of experience, depth of insight and enthusiasm for our cause will be an enormous help to LRA,” said LRA co-President Debbie Siciliano. “We look forward to working with him and know LRA will benefit greatly from Mark”™s counsel.”
A compass for needy kids
The Navigators Group Inc. announced its five-year partnership with Connecticut nonprofit Kids in Crisis, in which it will become the title sponsor of the newly-named Navigators Stamford KIC IT Triathlon. The triathlon, in which 600 athletes take part in Stamford each June, is an Olympic-distance event consisting of a 1.5k swim in Long Island Sound, a 40k bike ride, and a 10k run through the streets of downtown Stamford. Navigators headquarters moved from Rye Brook, N.Y. to Stamford in September.
The Stamford KIC IT Triathlon was created in 2008 to support the services offered by Kids in Crisis. From left are Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Vincent Sampieri, Navigators Global Real Estate Facilities manager, and Stanley A. Galanski, president and CEO, The Navigators Group Inc.
