Justin Donnelly • Professional Resume

Attorney Donnelly became Of Counsel to Spinella & Associates in 1996. He handles cases primarily in the areas of commercial litigation and family law. Attorney Donnelly started his legal career by joining the law firm of Rome Case, Kennelly & Klebanoff as a full time legal intern. Shortly thereafter, he successfully challenged the two-party credit card system of Sears Roebuck & Company as violative of Connecticut's usury statute.

He continued on at Rome, Case, Kennelly & Klebanoff as an associate, after diverse exposure to the general practice of law, including truth-in-lending and bankruptcy reorganizations; he founded the litigation department of the firm in 1970, and continued to be the partner responsible for both civil and criminal litigation. As litigation partner, he handled to conclusion approximately one thousand tort cases.

Attorney Donnelly, who is a skillful and experienced litigator, has tried in excess of one hundred forty cases either to a jury verdict or judgment. In addition to courtroom matters, his litigation experience includes an extensive administrative law practice, representing applicants before numerous commissions including zoning and planning, inland wetlands conservation commissions, boards of appeal and hospital cost commissions; he has also tried numerous contested matters before town councils and boards of education.

Additionally, he has extensive experience in alternate dispute resolution, representing parties as well as serving as arbitrator or mediator.

His practice also includes an extensive practice before the Connecticut Supreme Court where he has argued a variety of tort cases and cases relating to defense of municipal sewer and water authorities; real property disputes; construction disputes; condemnation claims and contested partnership dissolutions.

In addition to individual clients, Attorney Donnelly has represented municipal and corporate clients including The Metropolitan District, Town of Farmington, Blue Hills Fire District, Scharr Industries, Airex Rubber Products Corporation, The META Group and the Town of Suffield. Attorney Donnelly also represented CIGNA's Employee Assistance Program.

Attorney Donnelly also served as the managing trial attorney for the CNA Insurance Company. In this capacity, Attorney Donnelly commenced the staff counsel operation for the State of Connecticut. He was responsible for review of all incoming suits, and distribution of appropriate files to outside counsel with a case mix including automobile personal injury, medical, dental and legal malpractice, general liability, products liability, workers' compensation and subrogation, and involved defense of numerous municipalities throughout the State.

Since resuming private practice, Attorney Donnelly has continued to focus on a wide variety of civil litigation including commercial litigation and construction disputes for corporations and institutions, as well as conducting a white collar criminal defense practice. He has also handled a wide variety of labor issues including Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities complaints, labor department complaints, and workers' compensation matters.

In addition, as municipal attorney for Suffield, he has participated in Freedom of Information issues at both the administrative and court level. He also serves as Assistant to the Corporation Counsel, City of Waterbury, where he is responsible directly to the Corporation Counsel for litigation against the City of Waterbury.

Spinella & Associates. Making the law work for YOU.

A. Paul Spinella | David K. Jaffe | Justin Donnelly

Spinella & Associates • 1 Lewis St. • Hartford CT 06103-3402
phone: (860) 728-4900 • fax: (860) 728-4909
E-mail: attorney@spinella-law.com