HOWARD - Key Persons
Christopher M. Harrington was admitted to the practice of law in 1995, has been an attorney with this firm since 2002 and has been a partner since 2009. Attorney Harrington represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of civil matters with a focus on personal injury, premises liability, wrongful death, insurance defense, commercial litigation, shareholder disputes and workers' compensation claims. Attorney Harrington has defended and prosecuted many claims in these areas and has tried over twenty cases to verdict. Attorney Harrington has also resolved many cases through alternative dispute resolution including arbitrations and mediations. Attorney Harrington has participated in several appeals to the Connecticut Appellate and Supreme Courts.
Attorney Harrington was born in New York City, New York on May 3, 1961 and was admitted to practice in Connecticut in February, 1995. Attorney Harrington graduated from the State University of New York in 1990 and obtained his Juris Doctorate from Western New England College School of Law in 1994. Prior to obtaining his undergraduate degree, Attorney Harrington worked as a federal agent with the United States Border Patrol in South Texas. Attorney Harrington is presently an officer and director of the Connecticut Defense Lawyers Association and will be its President in 2017. Attorney Harrington is also a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, the Hartford County Bar Association and a former member of the Connecticut Inns of Court.
David Sylvestre was admitted to practice law in The State of Connecticut and U.S. Federal Court in 1989. Attorney Sylvestre has significant jury trial and court side trial experience. He has argued before the Connecticut Supreme court. He has selected over a hundred juries, conducted thousands of depositions, lead counsel in Jury and Court-side trials/ hearings, obtaining dozens of verdicts/judgements for his clients. His experience spans thousands of lawsuits and claims representing some of the nation's largest insurance companies, Fortune 500 companies, small businesses and Connecticut families for over 32 years. He has provided legal counsel for settlement negotiations, hearings, arbitrations, mediations, work injury, auto, motorcycle and fall down injury, major truck accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, construction and fire claims, dram shop claims, subrogation, contract, insurance policy and commercial disputes, as well as under and un-insured policy claims and analysis.
Sylvestre began his law career at Hartford Superior Court clerking for the Honorable Judge Harry Hammer and also serving as general law paralegal and real estate paralegal for McEleney and McGrail law firm in Hartford, CT. He then served for nine years as in-house, senior litigation attorney for CNA Insurance where he managed a revolving file load of 85- 185 injury cases per year moving a heavy volume of 90-100 to settlement, judgment or verdict annually. He worked for a brief time with Attorney Charles Wood as Senior Trial Attorney with emphasis on Trucking accidents and defense.
Starting in 1996, Sylvestre managed his own insurance defense practice in North Haven, CT where he has successfully handled hundreds of tort cases, represented insurers, banks, creditors, and many Connecticut citizens in a broad variety of claims, mediations and arbitrations.
Deb Jekot is a 2015 graduate of Quinnipiac University School of Law, where she graduated cum laude. She was made a partner in the firm in 2021. Since joining HKSF, Attorney Jekot has handled numerous cases, successfully tried both plaintiff and defense cases, and argued before the CT Appellate Court. She has been named a Rising Star in Super Lawyers since 2019. She is admitted to practice in both CT federal and state courts. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time in the outdoors with her husband and stepson.
Attorney Krieger graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Law (2001), where he served as the managing editor of the Public Interest Law Journal and was a member of the Moot Court Board. He also worked as an intern performing legal research at the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and the Connecticut General Assembly. Greg received his bachelor's degree in History and Political Science from the University of Connecticut.
Attorney Krieger was admitted to the Connecticut bar in 2001 and joined the firm in 2004. He is also admitted to the Federal bar for the District of Connecticut. Greg concentrates his practice in the field of civil litigation.
Prior to joining Howard, Kohn, Sprague & Fitzgerald, Attorney Krieger practiced throughout the Connecticut State and Federal Courts in civil defense matters as an Associate with Trendowski Law Offices. During law school Greg held summer positions at London & London and the Employment Law Group where he researched and wrote various motions. After graduating from law school Attorney Krieger worked as a clerk in the Hartford Superior Court.
Jack Steigelfest graduated with High Honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law, where he served on the editorial board of the law review. He then had the privilege of clerking for Justice David Shea at the Connecticut Supreme Court. Attorney Steigelfest is admitted to practice before the State and Federal Courts in Connecticut, as well as the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
Jack practices in the field of civil litigation, at both the appellate and trial level, and more specifically handles complex disputes involving insurance, serious injury, death and property damage, as well as more general litigation in the fields of personal injury and insurance defense. Jack has served as Editor in Chief of the Connecticut Bar Journal and as President of the Connecticut Defense Lawyers Association. He has been appointed a judicial arbitrator/fact finder by the Connecticut Judicial Branch and was appointed by the Chief Justice to sit on Connecticut's Code of Evidence Oversight Committee. Jack holds the highest rating (AV) from Martindale-Hubbell*, has been recognized by Connecticut and New England Super Lawyers* (civil litigation defense), and is listed in Best Lawyers in America*
Job Titles:
- Associate
- of Counsel
- Member of the Connecticut Defense Lawyers Association
James Michael Moher graduated from Fairfield College Preparatory School in 1965 and went on to get his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Providence College, receiving that Degree Magna Cum Laude in 1969. He then graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1972. He was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1972 and was also admitted to the Federal Bar, for the District of Connecticut in 1975.
He was, subsequently admitted to the Mohegan Sun Gaming Disputes Court in 2000. He has practiced in all the State Courts and the Federal District Court for the State of Connecticut.
James Moher's practice includes all aspect of civil tort and commercial litigation. He also has a general practice involving domestic relations and real estate transactions. He frequently is requested to serve as an arbitrator to resolve disputes.
James Moher is a member of the Connecticut Defense Lawyers Association, the Connecticut Bar Association and the Hartford County Bar Association. James Moher is also a member of the Irish American Home Society, Inc. and the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks.
John Stephen Papa was admitted to the Connecticut bar in 1967, and is also admitted to the District of Columbia. He has practiced in all of the State Courts and the Federal District Court for the State of Connecticut.
John Stephen Papa has been associated with Howard, Kohn, Sprague & FitzGerald since 1970. Jack's practice focus is civil litigation and he has been appointed a Special Master in the State and Federal Courts of Connecticut. His litigation practice includes all aspects of civil, tort, and commercial litigation. In addition to civil litigation, Jack has a general practice with matters involving real estate, real estate development, domestic relations and estate planning and settlement.
Keith Rudzik has been an attorney with the firm since 2001. He practices in the fields of civil and criminal litigation. He has successfully defended clients in a wide range of civil cases, including personal injury, professional liability, construction claims, wrongful death, governmental liability, products liability, and insurance coverage.
Attorney Rudzik was selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, from 2008-2011. While up to five percent of the lawyers in the state are named to Super Lawyers, no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list. For information on how "Law and Politics" chooses who is designated a Rising Star, go to the Super Lawyers website: http://superlawyers.com/about/selection_process.html
He was also named a "Top Lawyer" in a collaborative effort by Avvo and Hartford Magazine in 2010. Attorney Rudzik maintains a 10.0/10.0 rating from Avvo. For information on how Avvo calculates its ratings for attorneys, please go to Avvo's website: http://www.avvo.com/support/avvo_rating.
Attorney Rudzik graduated with Honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law (2000), where he served as an executive editor of the Connecticut Law Review. Keith also received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award for the Federal Income Taxation of Partnerships and the Hartford County Federal Bar Foundation Award for Excellence in the Study of Federal Law. He received his bachelor's degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice from Westfield State College (MA). Professional Associations and Memberships.
Leah Kelly graduated from Western New England University School of Law in 2023 where she served as the treasurer for the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and was a member of the Student Bar Association. Leah graduated with her bachelor's degree in Sociology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2019. Leah joined the firm in 2023.
Before joining the firm, Leah worked as an intern in the Legislation and Elections Administration Division at the Connecticut Secretary of the State's Office. She was a certified legal intern with the Victim Right's Center of CT where she would advocate in criminal court on behalf of victims of crime. She was judicial intern for the First Justice at Hadley and Greenfield Juvenile Courts in Massachusetts where she researched and wrote various decision drafts. Most recently, Leah worked as a law clerk for a civil litigation firm in Massachusetts.
Leah is originally from Long Island, NY but now lives in Connecticut with her Husband, 3 cats, and dog, Moose.
Robert P. Volpe was admitted to the Connecticut bar in 1959. Attorney Volpe has practiced before various Connecticut courts, including the Connecticut Supreme Court.
Attorney Volpe has practiced before the Federal District Court of Connecticut where he is admitted to practice.
Attorney Volpe was educated at Harvard College, where he graduated Cum Laude in 1956 and at the University of Michigan Law School where he was a member of the board of editors of the Law Review and graduated in 1959 with honors. A former Corporation and assistant Corporation Counsel for the Town of West Hartford, Attorney Volpe is "of counsel" with the firm and now limits his practice to estate planning and settlement, and areas of general practice. He is a member of the Hartford County and the Connecticut State Bar Associations.
Savannah Crigler is a 2022 graduate of Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama. Savannah graduated with her bachelor's degree in Political Science from Auburn University in 2019. Savannah was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 2022 and joined the firm in 2023.
Savannah moved from Alabama to Connecticut in 2022, and before joining the firm was working as a clerk for the Connecticut Superior Court. Savannah lives in Bristol, Connecticut with her husband, Hayden and her dog, Louie.
Education:
Auburn University, B.A., 2019
Cumberland School of Law, J.D., 2022
Steven J. Barber is admitted to the Connecticut and Massachusetts bar. He also practices in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut and the District of Massachusetts. In his practice, he has been involved in a wide range of civil litigation matters including personal injury, premises liability, products liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims and declaratory judgment actions seeking determinations of coverage. Attorney Barber has considerable jury trial experience and has briefed and argued cased before the Connecticut State Appellate Courts and the Massachusetts Appeals Courts. Attorney Barber has also authored publications relating to personal injury and premises liability matters.
Attorney Barber received his bachelor of arts degree from Stonehill College and earned his law degree from Western New England College School of Law. A lifelong resident of the Middlesex County area, he lives in Cromwell with his wife, Cristina, and their three children: Isabella, Katrina and Jason.
Tom Cella is a 1983 graduate of Western New England College School of Law and spent one year as a law clerk for the Connecticut Superior Court before joining Howard, Kohn, Sprague & Fitzgerald in 1984. He was made a partner of the firm in 1991. Attorney Cella maintains a diverse litigation caseload which includes the representation of individuals, corporations and municipalities in all phases of trial practice. He primarily represents both plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury litigation.
Attorney Cella has tried over 65 jury cases to verdict. He serves as a Special Master for the United States District Court, District of Connecticut, and as an Arbitrator and Fact Finder for the Connecticut Superior Court where he assists in the resolution and settlement of pending civil matters. Attorney Cella is frequently called upon to mediate or arbitrate civil actions.
Attorney Cella has been elected to membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). ABOTA is a national organization of the top trial lawyers in the country representing both plaintiffs and defendants. He has been recognized by Connecticut Super Lawyers and is listed in Best Lawyers in America in the fields of personal injury, product liability litigation and medical malpractice. Attorney Cella has received the highest rating (AV) from Martindale-Hubbell.
Attorney Whitford is a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law (1995) where he was an Assistant Editor to the Insurance Law Journal and received distinction as a member of one of the School's National Moot Court Teams. He joined the firm in 1998 and became a partner in 2003.
Attorney Whitford practices in the areas of Civil Litigation and Trial Work, including plaintiff's personal injury, insurance defense, and commercial/construction litigation, as well as Family and Domestic Matters, Small Business Counseling, and Criminal Law. Mr. Whitford has considerable jury trial experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants, and has argued cases before the State Appellate and Supreme Courts and the Federal Second Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of the firm's clients. As head of the firm's real estate department, Attorney Whitford spends considerable time representing individuals, businesses, and banking institutions in land use and development matters, as well as residential and commercial real estate transactions. He regularly appears before various town boards and committees in this capacity.
Attorney Whitford, who is an avid outdoor enthusiast, lives in Somers, Connecticut with his wife, Debbie, and two children.
Job Titles:
- Youth Hockey Association Board Member