BUTLER TIBBETTS - Key Persons
Aaron Arias provides litigation support for individuals and businesses throughout the tri-state area. A team oriented advocate motivated by personal connections, he has meaningful experience in a range of complex civil litigation matters, including breach of contract claims, claims/risk management issues, general liability, products liability, as well as labor and employment law disputes.
Aaron's diverse skill set comprises legal research and writing, proofreading and citation verification, developing and arguing dispositive motions, deposition preparation and defense, and managing heavy discovery. Leveraging his sociology background, Aaron sees the world through intersectionalities and employs this vision, along with exceptional oral advocacy, to advance positive outcomes and address client concerns.
Prior to joining Butler Tibbetts, Aaron served as an associate attorney for an AmLaw 100 law firm with offices across the U.S. In addition to his client work, he serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association. A highly curious lifelong learner, he is also a violinist and rugby player.
Al Tibbetts is a founding partner of Butler Tibbetts. His practice is focused on real estate, zoning and land use, small business formation, and estate planning matters. A past president of the Darien Chamber of Commerce and past board member of the Darien Zoning Board of Appeals, Al brings a wealth of civic leadership experience to his real estate transactional work. Currently, Al is a board member of the New Canaan Land Trust.
Al is recognized as a local expert on real estate, zoning and land use, and residential mortgage financing. He knows the best way is not always the easiest way and his clients look to him for his encyclopedic knowledge of building codes, municipal agencies, and a keen understanding of how to resolve real estate matters often fraught with obstacles and challenges. Al relies on decades of on-the-ground, insider experience to make things happen for his clients in an efficient and timely manner. He regards all of his client relationships as personal relationships.
An active member of the Darien community, Al has served in leadership positions for numerous nonprofit organizations impacting underserved populations across Connecticut and beyond, including the Darien Arts Center, Kids Empowered by Your Support (KEYS), and Turning Wine Into Water. Al formerly served as a Justice of the Peace.
Bryson Wilson focuses his practice on commercial and civil litigation in state and federal courts. He has experience assisting clients in a wide range of commercial disputes in the areas of healthcare, managed care, employment, finance, and debt collection. Bryson also represents small and medium size businesses in general corporate matters, including preparation of corporate filings, operating agreements, and other corporate documents.
Bryson empowers his clients by taking the focus off the esoteric aspects of the law and placing it squarely in the context of client goals. Accomplished in corporate debt collection, employment disputes, family law, and personal Injury, clients and colleagues value Bryson's personal approach, responsiveness, and skills in case presentation, writing, and case management.
A proud native of Darien, Bryson is an active member of the community and regularly gives his time in the service of nonprofit organizations, with a particular passion for issues related to domestic violence, social justice, and racial discrimination. Before joining Butler Tibbetts, Bryson served as a Legal Intern for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and as a Legal Assistant for Chaffetz and Lindsey in New York City.
Job Titles:
- Board of Appeals, Board Member
Job Titles:
- Business Advisor
- of Counsel
A veteran litigator and trusted advocate, David McCarthy has decades of experience representing businesses and individuals in complex commercial disputes with a focus on healthcare and managed care, contracts, and other corporate matters. His clients include businesses, hospitals, health systems, physician groups, and investors. David is a highly analytical and collaborative lawyer in search of positive outcomes for his clients. He leverages his natural curiosity and creativity to defend against wrongs, prioritize the best path forward, and resolve promises not fulfilled.
David litigates a wide variety of business disputes, including breach of contract and fiduciary duty, enforcement of contracts, corporate veil piercing, securities fraud, leveraged lease portfolios, business trade secrets, managed care litigation, payor disputes, compliance, and fraudulent conveyances. Additionally, he has represented creditors and debtors in bankruptcy proceedings, and handled matters involving aircraft leases, aircraft equipment trusts, and construction contracts.
Outside of the courtroom, David is a valued business advisor. Known for his extensive litigation background and keen foresight, clients look to him for guidance on operational matters, including structurings and restructurings, corporate governance and compliance issues, and strategic preparation of incorporation documents, operating agreements, and contract provisions. Additionally, he has represented families with estate planning and estate executors in probate proceedings.
Helena Bottone serves as Records Manager for Butler Tibbetts, working closely with the firm's family of lawyers and professionals to manage and maintain sensitive case documents, as well as the critical systems that support impeccable record keeping and back-end client service.
Through her careful attention to detail, laser focus on organization and accuracy, and a systematic approach, she ensures the proper storage of case documents and helps the Butler Tibbetts team better care for clients every step of the way. Helena takes pride in her role and is dedicated to staying abreast of legal tech and digital document management trends.
Meredith McBride is a trusted counselor, fierce litigator, and integral member of the Butler Tibbetts team. Meredith maintains a broad litigation practice, serving as a go-to resource ...
Meredith McBride helps clients reframe how they think about the process of separation. A trusted and thoughtful counselor, her practice is focused primarily on high net worth divorce, custody and visitation issues, asset and property division, and mediation. Her clients include individuals, families, and professionals.
Meredith handles all aspects of divorce and custody matters with discretion, sensitivity, and a deep understanding of how delicate these matters can be. She has developed a particular niche in collaborative divorce for clients seeking to avoid a courtroom experience in favor of a more amicable separation focused on outcomes that address the needs of the whole family. When adversarial conditions do arise, Meredith is highly skilled and trial-ready, with extensive experience in the courtroom.
In addition to her divorce and family law practice, Meredith also provides counsel to hospitals, health systems, and physician groups in managed care litigation, payor disputes, regulatory compliance, and other matters.
Job Titles:
- Practice Manager
- Business Leader
Rob Becker serves as Practice Manager for Butler Tibbetts. With an emphasis on collaborative leadership, team dynamics, and client service, he works closely with firm leadership to create positive outcomes with precision and compassion. Rob leads all aspects of the firm's strategic operations, including financial, human resources, administration, premises management, IT, and marketing and client development. He supports the Butler Tibbetts team by thoughtfully cultivating their collective strengths and talents, as well as implementing strategies to increase efficiency and foster a culture of productivity and positivity across the firm.
Rob is an accomplished business leader with diverse industry and functional expertise. In addition to his legal industry acumen, he brings extensive healthcare leadership and administration experience, with a history of success in leading and developing teams in both hospital and in-home healthcare settings. He provides industry knowledge and insights to inform on healthcare and managed care matters in the areas of operations, administration, billing and coding, leadership, human resources, and back-office.
Before joining Butler Tibbetts, Rob served as Director of Operations at Amedisys, a leading national provider of in-home healthcare and as Nursing Supervisor at Silver Hill Hospital, a nationally recognized psychiatric hospital and academic affiliate of Yale University School of Medicine.
Sanja Chastain serves as a paralegal for Butler Tibbetts. An experienced legal professional with a diverse background, Sanja works closely with the Butler Tibbetts team, providing preparatory and logistical support on a range of complex projects. She is particularly well versed in employment, business, and insurance issues and is designated as a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU). Known for her tenacity, she is a quick thinker and problem solver, bringing a valuable mix of purpose and persistence to every client matter.
Before joining Butler Tibbetts, she served as a member of an in-house legal team working to develop and implement operational rules and procedures, ensure compliance, and conduct legal research related to workers compensation and accident claims. Previously, in her native Montenegro, she served as a legal assistant to the lead expert on Climate Change for the United Nations Development Program with duties primarily in drafting legislation and aligning EU Regulations and directives with the legislation of Montenegro.
Education
Doctor of Law, The University of Montenegro Faculty of Law, 2017
B.A./M.A., John Jay College, 2013
Sharon Phelan serves as the receptionist for Butler Tibbetts. A trusted member of the team, she is dependable and amenable, with a warm, caring demeanor, that brings a human element to her interactions with clients and colleagues alike - whether face-to-face or over the phone.
The Butler Tibbetts team relies on Sharon for all things administrative, as well as for her astute perspective on issues ranging from marketing to procurement. She works closely with firm leadership to keep the office running smoothly and efficiently.
Prior to joining Butler Tibbetts, she served as a member of the human resources team at a large nursing home in Stamford, Connecticut, handling recruiting and interviewing, payroll, and other matters.
Thomas Butler focused his practice on complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on the healthcare and managed care industries. Throughout his decades-long career, he collaborated with hospitals, healthcare systems, physician groups, and other providers through all stages of the litigation process. Tom was a passionate attorney, who relished the intricacies of the law and advocated zealously for his clients. He was always one to quietly and respectfully help others in need.
Thomas became a lawyer after first serving in the United States Marine Corps as a Drill Instructor (D.I.) and thereafter as a security guard at the United States Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. While there, he attended the American University at Cairo. Upon his return to the United States in 1956 Thomas attended Fordham College. There he served as president of the student body in his senior year and in 1959 graduated with honors. Thereafter he attended Fordham Law School and was first in his class. Upon graduation in 1963 he was employed by White & Case as an associate.
While at White & Case, he obtained extensive litigation experience involving commercial disputes, securities and securities violations, contracts, creditors' rights, business, personal torts, employment contracts, employment discrimination and tobacco litigation. He left White & Case in 1969 and before partnering with Butler Tibbetts he formed Butler, Fitzgerald & Potter, a boutique firm in New York City.
Education
J.D., Fordham University School of Law, 1962
B.S., Fordham University, 1959
Tim Butler serves as Managing Partner for Butler Tibbetts. A strategic and compassionate leader, he is dedicated to fostering the firm's culture of quality and care to help nurture meaningful client relationships. Tim works closely with every member of the Butler Tibbetts team, providing mentorship, leveraging their collective strengths, and actively encouraging the kind of entrepreneurial spirit that sparks new ideas and creative solutions.
Building on the decades-long experience of his own successful litigation and corporate practices, Tim leads a formidable group of lawyers and professionals handling some of the most sophisticated legal work in the state. He has successfully argued cases in front of the Connecticut Supreme Court, as well New York and Federal Appellate Courts. His depth of experience and intimate, nimble approach helps fine-tune the firm's offerings for every matter, carefully adjusting the strategy to meet unique client needs and situations.
Known for his personal investment in clients and their concerns, he is a highly respected healthcare lawyer by clients and colleagues alike, representing hospitals, health systems, and physician groups in managed care litigation and provider-payor contract disputes. Tim is also a trusted business advisor, providing counsel on all aspects of business structuring and management and strategic planning, as well as mergers, acquisitions, and sales.