- Divorce
- Child Support
- Child Custody and VisitationOur attorneys will also help you understand the factors that Connecticut’s family law courts and judges will consider in resolving a marriage or child custody dispute, including infidelity, domestic violence, alcoholism or addiction and the marital finances, while taking into consideration the best interests of the minor children.
- Premarital AgreementIn her family law practice, Mrs. DaSilva-Fiano has significant experience representing clients in all facets of family law matters in Fairfield and New Haven Counties including premarital agreements, mediations, marital dissolutions, legal separations, alimony and property distribution disputes, and post-judgment enforcement and modification.
- Guardianship
- Spousal SupportEnforcement and defense of various family law orders and financial awards, including alimony, support, and property division
- Legal Separation
- Annulment
- Child AbuseProceedings involving the Department of Child and Family Services relating to alleged child abuse or neglect, or termination of parental rights
- Wrongful DeathKyle assists in the representation of individuals suffering injuries from medical malpractice, wrongful death, civil assaults, and other personal injury cases such as car accidents and slip & falls.
- Sex CrimesMr. Virgil’s personal injury practice involves wrongful death, serious and significant personal injuries, general negligence cases, such as car accidents, truck crashes, construction injuries, railroad accidents, defective and dangerous products, slip and falls, assaults, sexual assaults, toxic torts, hit and run collisions, uninsured drivers, underinsured drivers. He has pursued class action lawsuits on behalf of the victims of defective products and unscrupulous retailers. Mr. Virgil has also sued multiple insurance companies directly for their misconduct and bad faith behavior in the handling and processing of personal injury lawsuits and claims.
- FraudHe has in-depth experience in commercial contract disputes, trade secrets and business torts, employment law, real property controversies, and securities, construction, probate and tax litigation. Financial institutions look to him as a trusted guide: he has defended them and represented the FDIC in numerous securities fraud class actions and director’s and officer’s liability cases. Attorney Steinmetz also has represented clients in cases of national impact, such as the prosecution of a multi-million dollar contract claim on behalf of an accounts receivable factoring firm.
- White Collar CrimesWhile pursuing his Juris Doctorate at Quinnipiac University School of Law, Kyle was the recipient of a Dean’s Fellow Merit Scholarship (full-tuition scholarship). Kyle graduated Quinnipiac Law Summa Cum Laude (highest honors) with a concentration in Civil Advocacy & Dispute Resolution with additional honors. Kyle was student-president of his class, on Law Review, on the Mock Trial trial-advocacy team that won the Georgetown White Collar Crime Invitational, on the Moot Court appellate-advocacy team, on the alternative-dispute-resolution team, and was a captain of the Quinnipiac Men’s Club Lacrosse Team.
- Theft
- EmbezzlementIn his white-collar crime practice, Attorney Fiano is effective in analyzing complex financial evidence related to charges of RICO, tax fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, Medicaid and Medicare fraud, mortgage and real estate fraud, securities violations, false billing practices, money laundering, structuring, conspiracy, embezzlement, theft, and other serious felonies. He has had extensive dealings with prosecutors and agents of the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in resolving difficult situations for his clients.
- Assault
- Juvenile CrimesAli is excited to expand her practice as an associate in the Litigation practice group at the firm’s Bridgeport office. She currently oversees a variety of cases in all aspects of civil litigation, as well as various Family Law and Probate Court matters. Prior to joining the team at Zeldes, Needle, & Cooper, PC, Ali concentrated her practice in family and juvenile law, representing clients in divorce, custody, and child protection matters. Ali earned her J.D. from Quinnipiac University School of Law in 2016, where she graduated with concentrations in civil advocacy & dispute resolution and family law, with honors. She also currently sits on the Executive Committee of the Connecticut Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section and is active in the CBA’s Lawyers in Libraries program, where she provides legal counsel to individuals who may not otherwise be able to afford legal representation. A native of Queens, New York, Ali enjoys traveling back to the five boroughs to visit family and friends. Ali also enjoys cooking in her spare time and chatting with her colleagues about her book club’s monthly pick.
- Money Laundering
- Hit and Run
- Corporate LawMarisa assists in the representation of both individuals and businesses in a variety of commercial and civil litigation matters, including business and corporate disputes, contract issues, shareholder and partnership disputes, and employment issues.
- Business DisputesRichard is a cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Connecticut School of Law. As a partner, Richard has practiced in Connecticut since 1963 handling a wide variety of civil matters, including bankruptcies, reorganizations, financial restructuring, contract disputes, business torts, estates and matrimonial matters. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America in the areas of bankruptcy and reorganization for more than twenty years. In addition, he has been listed by Super Lawyers in the areas of bankruptcy and reorganization. He has served as an adjunct professor of law at the Quinnipiac University School of Law. In a poll among Connecticut attorneys conducted by the Connecticut Law Tribune, Richard was selected as the best attorney in Connecticut handling proceedings on behalf of debtors.
- Business TransactionsWe are currently looking for candidates for a real estate/transactional associate position with 2+ years’ of experience representing lenders, buyers and sellers in a variety of commercial and residential transactions. Qualified candidates must have excellent communication skills and top academic credentials with experience in drafting and negotiating documents relating to commercial transactions and general corporate matters. Competitive salary and benefits offered. Please submit your resume by the link below if you are interested in applying for the position.
- Limited Liability CompaniesHelping individuals and companies with all disputes involving business: corporations, limited liability companies and other business entity disputes; shareholder/partner dissention; contracts, non-competition agreements, and brokerage/listing agreement; intellectual property disputes;, injunctions, tortious interference, CUTPA and other unfair trade practice claims.
- Trade Secrets
- Intellectual PropertyMr. Scofield joined the firm in 1986 and has established a successful practice concentrating primarily in commercial litigation and intellectual property litigation. Representative cases include an antitrust claim stemming from a hostile corporate takeover, a dispute involving television syndication contracts, obtaining injunctions against trademark infringement, false advertising, and the violation of restrictive covenants, and a number of complex patent cases.
- Antitrust
- Workers CompensationThe attorneys in our offices have a wealth of knowledge of substantive worker’s compensation law from representing Connecticut injured employees in proceeding before the Connecticut Workers Compensation Commission, the Compensation Review Board, and appeals to the Connecticut Superior Court and the Connecticut Appellate Court. ZNC’s workers compensation attorneys are also experienced in pursuing alternative dispute resolution of Workers Compensation disputes through both informal mediation and in court-annexed and private mediation. Our attorneys zealously advocate for those who have been injured due to the misfortunes of being exposed to workplace hazards. When a worker has been hurt on the job, ZNC attorneys find a way to obtain maximum compensation for these injuries to compensate for their lost earnings and future earnings from the loss of work experience that contributes to higher pay scales. ZNC’s Workers Compensation attorneys keep their clients informed about the status of their cases, and keep them involved in all aspects of their case.
- Wrongful TerminationAttorney Steinmetz’s employment law experience encompasses defending and resolving discrimination and wrongful discharge claims, and disputes over confidential employer information and employment agreements, including non-competition and non-solicitation provisions and termination benefits. His experience in this area makes him a sought-after speaker, and he has presented on topics ranging from FLSA and State law requirements to the latest trends in non-competes and sexual harassment at work in venues including the Association of Corporate Counsel and American Inn of Court.
- Employment DiscriminationMr. Virgil’s labor and employment practice involves representing individuals and companies before federal and state courts, administrative agencies, industry regulatory bodies, and private arbitrators. Mr. Virgil handles sexual harassment, age discrimination, sex discrimination, race discrimination, employment contracts, whistleblower claims, FMLA violations, and wrongful discharge.
- Employment Contract
- Employment LitigationThe employment law team at ZNC has litigated all types of employment disputes, including jury trials in state and federal court, and in administrative agencies, including discrimination matters before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, and wage and hour and unemployment claims with the Department of Labor.
- Sexual Harassment
- Real Estate LitigationMr. Needle, a founding member of the firm and the former Chairman of our Management Committee (1988-1994), practices principally in the areas of commercial and real estate law, business development, business organization, and commercial transactions. Throughout his career, Mr. Needle has provided counsel to individuals and business organizations of all types and sizes, helping his clients make tough legal decisions during both good and bad times.
- Premises LiabilityMrs. DaSilva-Fiano also focuses on representing injured parties in personal injury, premises liability, medical malpractice, nursing home negligence and workers’ compensation claims, wherein she employs her extensive insight and medical knowledge as a Registered Nurse.
- Construction LitigationInformed, responsive and cost-effective representation of associations navigating the complicated legal and practical challenges faced by association boards, including collection related matters, rules enforcement, association borrowing, contract negotiation, governing document revisions and developer transition issues, including construction defect litigation.
- Real Estate TransactionsJan is an associate within the real estate and transactional law practice group at Zeldes, Needle & Cooper, P.C. He focuses his practice in the areas of condominium association law and residential real estate purchases and refinancing, assisting in the purchases of commercial bridge loans and hard money loans, and contract review and drafting. Jan comes to ZNC after working in talent management for 3 years following his graduation from Quinnipiac University School of Law, with Honors. As Director of Talent Marketing, Jan’s work included all aspects of athlete representation from contract review and drafting, to the negotiation of sponsorship agreements for individual athletes and events. After years of working in tennis, as a player, coach, and in talent management, Jan still maintains a tie to the sport as the co-founder and Vice-Chair of the On The Rise Tennis Foundation, a non-profit organization in his hometown of Toronto, Canada whose goal is to help young and aspiring tennis players afford coaching, travel and equipment in order to support their dream of playing tennis at a high level. “
- Easement
- Land Use and Zoning
- Landlord-Tenant DisputesAttorney DaSilva-Fiano has a diverse litigation practice wherein she represents individuals and corporate clients in a wide range of civil and commercial litigation matters. More specifically, Attorney DaSilva-Fiano handles cases involving business and corporate disputes, contract issues, real estate disputes, construction litigation, commercial and residential landlord-tenant disputes and insurance coverage issues. Mrs. DaSilva-Fiano has also represented both creditors and debtors in foreclosure and bankruptcy matters.
- Property DamageAt Zeldes, Needle & Cooper, our highly trained personal injury attorneys help plaintiffs recover financial compensation for their physical injuries, pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, property damage and more.
- Personal InjuryWhen you partner with our legal team, you can count on the best possible outcome of your scenario. Contact us to confidentially discuss your personal injury.
- Medical MalpracticeMr. Virgil represents the victims of medical malpractice and professional negligence. He has obtained favorable verdicts or settlements for clients who were the victims of medical negligence involving reproductive and fertility medicine, tissue banking and cryopreservation, gastroenterology, neurosurgery, internal medicine, physical therapy and nursing care amongst others.
- Auto Accidents
- Dog BitesOur firm recognizes that physical injuries come with emotional scars. As a result, we draw upon the resources and experience of our entire firm to provide compassionate and quality representation to each of our clients. We always strive to achieve the best possible results for our clients. We have successfully represented individuals regarding injuries sustained as a result of motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, recreational accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, work related accidents, dog bites, and more. Our attorneys are devoted to obtaining the maximum compensation for our clients’ injuries – whether through settlement, mediation, arbitration or trial.
- Estate PlanningEstate planning at ZNC starts with listening: what are the client’s goals, now and in the future? We then gather the information necessary, and work with the client to create the plan, and draft the legal documents that advance these goals. Once our clients are satisfied with the planning, the documents are finalized, executed under our supervision and stored in a will vault. We work closely with our experienced paralegal staff, assuring cost-effective representation and effective client communication.
- WillsZeldes, Needles and Cooper’s estate planning group can assist clients with an array of estate planning choices including wills, revocable trusts, health care related documents (living wills and appointments of health care agents) and insurance trusts. The appropriate estate planning documents can smooth the way for a shorter, easier estate administration.
- TrustsAttorney Sarner is active in the American Bar Association (Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section), the Connecticut Bar Association (Section of Estates and Probate) and the New York State Bar Association (Trusts and Estates Law Section). He served as co-chair of the Fairfield County Bar Association Probate and Estates Committee 2008-12. He is a member of WealthCounsel, a nationwide alliance of estate planning attorneys, who collectively combine their expertise, designing and administering asset protection and wealth preservation plans.
- Probate
- Bankruptcy
- ForeclosureOur nation has rightly concluded that it is unwise and unhealthy for individuals and businesses to attempt to live and endure under extreme financial distress. Our bankruptcy laws exist to provide both debtors and creditors a venue where relief can be obtained and fair accommodations reached. ZNC’s Zeisler-Verillo Bankruptcy and Restructuring Group expertly guide individuals, families and business entities – both small and large – through the process of analyzing their current situation, identifying potential solutions and where appropriate, seeking relief under bankruptcy laws. Our lawyers understand that there are few situations in life as stressful to clients as the ones which arise in this field: the threat of losing one’s home to foreclosure; the possibility of having to close one’s business; or the loss of critical revenue caused by the default of a customer.
- Tax LawNow that the federal estate tax exemption has climbed to over $11 million per couple, fewer clients require estate planning driven by federal estate tax issues. However, Connecticut still has an estate tax applying to all estates that exceed $5.1 million per person, so a Connecticut probate attorney has to consider as part of their estate planning the effects of the Connecticut estate tax.