December 2021 LOCAL STRENGTH | GLOBAL INSIGHT

Whitman Breed Successfully Defends Nine-Figure Charitable Gift Before the Connecticut Supreme Court

The Firm successfully defended the validity of a significant gift to a charitable trust in an appeal before the Connecticut Supreme Court.  The gift, which was challenged by a relative of the donor, was intended to – and now will – benefit quadriplegics and their caregivers.  It is believed to be among the largest individual charitable donations in Connecticut history.   The appeal followed a trial victory on the Complex Litigation Docket of the Superior Court.

On behalf of family trustees, the appeal was argued by Whitman Breed partner Charles Pieterse with assistance from partner Wyatt Jansen and associate Trevor Larrubia.  The Firm worked closely on the appeal with co-counsel at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, including lead trial counsel Lynn Neuner, Laura Twomey, Joshua Polster, and Sara Ricciardi.

Whitman Breed Partners and Associates have been named “Connecticut Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars” for 2021. Connecticut selection information at http://www.superlawyers.com/connecticut/selection_details.html

Charles Pieterse (Trusts & Estates Litigation), Jim Riley (Business Litigation), George Smith (Estate Planning & Probate), Rod Saggese (General Litigation), Thomas O’Connor (Rising Star – Civil Litigation), Luke Tashjian (Rising Star – Tax), Kathryn O’Neill (Rising Star – Business/Corporate), and Wyatt Jansen (Rising Star – Business Litigation and Trusts & Estates Litigation) were named Connecticut Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.

Whitman Breed is pleased to announce that five of our attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 28^th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America^©.

Libby Grant, Charlie Pieterse, Jim Riley, George Smith, and Luke Tashjian were each named to this year’s “Best Lawyer” list in their respective areas of practice: Libby for “Trust & Estates”, Charlie for “Litigation – Trusts and Estates”, Jim for “Commercial Litigation”, George for “Trusts and Estates”, and Luke for “Trusts and Estates, Tax Law”.

Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. The methodology is designed to capture the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographic area and legal practice area.

After 51 years of serving the legal community, Whitman Breed has announced the retirement of Lee Selby.

Lee joined Whitman Breed last year, as part of the merger with Smith & Grant LLP. Lee has practiced in Greenwich throughout his career, having been a member of Whitman Breed and its predecessor firms for 26 years before becoming a founding partner in 1995 of what is now Fogarty, Cohen, Russo & Nemiroff. Following his stepping down from active partnership duties in 2016, Lee joined Smith & Grant LLP in the capacity of Counsel.

Whitman Breed Partners have been named to Greenwich Magazine’s Top Lawyers in Fairfield County for 2021.

Jim Riley for Commercial Litigation, George Smith for Wills, Rod Saggese for Civil Litigation, and Luke Tashjian for Wills were named a Top Lawyer in Fairfield County for 2021.  Greenwich Magazine published its annual list in its March 2021 edition, recognizing approximately 300 attorneys practicing in Fairfield County in various legal practice areas, using an online peer-voting process and Internet research.