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Litigation
Our attorneys have extensive experience representing clients
before all state and federal courts and agencies in Connecticut.
In order to protect our client's interests, we strive
to thoroughly understand the needs of our client, whether
an individual or a business, and develop a comprehensive
strategy to resolve the problem as efficiently and economically
as the high-quality practice of law permits.
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Recent litigation experience includes the following areas:
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- Personal
Injury
- Wrongful
Termination
- Unfair
Trade Practices
- Debt
Collection
- Fraudulent
Conveyances
- Officer
and Director Liability
- Breach
of Contract
- Property
Damage
- Landlord
- Tenant Disputes
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- Foreclosure
Litigation
- Non-competition
Agreements
- Tortious
Interference
- Sexual
Harassment
- Discrimination
- Appellate
Practice
- Assault
and Battery
- Breach
of Fiduciary Duty
- Probate
Appeals
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Personal
Injury and Worker's Compensation
Our personal injury and worker's compensation practice is aimed
at protecting the interests of those who have suffered major
injuries. Whether the cause be a motor vehicle accident, a slip
and fall at the market, residence or workplace, or injuries
suffered at the hands of, or due to the negligence of, a third
party, our focus is to obtain compensation for those injuries
and to minimize the inconvenience and burden that an unexpected
injury places on our client. We handle property damage claims,
negotiate with insurance companies, process insurance company
paperwork, correspond with medical professionals and other experts,
and do all the other work necessary to maximize the personal
and financial recovery of our client. We work to get you back
to work, and to replace any lost income that you may have experienced
as a result of the injury. Our office utilizes skilled paralegal
and legal assistant staff to assist with processing claims;
our attorneys go to court to enforce our client's rights and
interests. We encourage client understanding of, and involvement
in, the process. As in all practice areas, our clients are welcome
and encouraged to contact us directly if there are any questions
that they encounter during the course of the representation.
Real Estate and Landlord-Tenant Disputes
We are actively engaged in representing clients in all phases
of real estate purchases and sales, lease drafting and negotiation,
for both residential and commercial properties. In real estate
transactions, we guide clients through a successful transaction
from beginning to end. We have extensive experience drafting
and negotiating contracts, loan documents, leases, and all documents
relating to the residential and commercial real estate transaction.
Additionally, we represent both landlords and tenants in all
matters before the Superior Court Housing Session. Our work
includes residential and commercial summary process actions,
actions for damages to property, claims relating to return of
security deposits, criminal lockout and constructive eviction
cases, entry and detainer actions, claims pertaining to the
health and safety of premises, and unfair rental increases.
Wills, Trusts and Estates & Probate Administration
Harris, Harris & Schmid counsels clients on all aspects of estate planning
and estate administration, including the preparation of simple
and complex wills and trusts, death tax planning, probate administration
procedures, living wills, powers of attorney, trust documents
and health care directives. The Firm takes special care to understand
the particular circumstances of each client, and the client's
family, in order to ensure that the client's wishes are effectively
documented and executed, while at the same time minimizing estate
and inheritance taxes and probate costs. Our office staff includes
individuals experienced in probate administration, and who are
familiar with local probate court personnel and policies.
Family Law
The Firm's attorneys and support staff are experienced in all
aspects of family law cases. The Firm's attorneys are routinely
involved in litigation involving divorce, legal separation,
alimony, child custody and support and distribution of marital
property. The Firm has extensive experience in negotiating and
drafting prenuptial, post-nuptial and separation agreements,
and all aspects of divorce litigation, including enforcement
of automatic orders, temporary and permanent alimony enforcement,
child support claims and determinations, temporary and permanent
orders for exclusive possession of the family residence, and
the determination and assessment of financial assets.
Employment and Workplace Disputes and Litigation
Harris, Harris & Schmid represents clients involved in workplace related
disputes in a variety of different forums. These include administrative
proceedings before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights
and Opportunities, the United States EEOC, the Department of
Labor. We assist clients in the handling of all employment issues
in litigation, including lawsuits under Title VII and Connecticut's
Fair Employment Practices Act, as well as common law tort, breach
of contract, sexual harassment, and wrongful discharge claims.
The Firm is involved in representation of employees and employers
in contested unemployment compensation claims and appeals.
Juvenile and Special Education Law
We are actively engaged in representing minors and their parents
in all matters pending before the Superior Court, Juvenile Division.
Our practical experience in this field includes representation
of minors charged with crimes, minors determined to be delinquent
or truant, families with service needs, and proceedings relating
to abusive or neglectful parenting, among others. We are in
regular contact with the Connecticut Department of Family and
Children, and frequently intervene at the early stages of any
proceeding involving DCF. Additionally, we have assisted minors
and their parents in the PPT process, special education planning
sessions, and individualized guidance and counseling for parents
seeking alternative solutions for a child with special needs.
Lastly, we have practical experience representing children and
their parents in the expulsion hearing process.
Formation and Representation of Business Entities
We are counsel to many small businesses on a variety of matters
ranging from business formation and start up through regulatory
compliance and corporate reorganizations. We enjoy long-term
relationships with the many small businesses that we have formed
over the years. We are very proud of, and enjoy, this aspect
of our business.
Criminal Defense
Harris, Harris & Schmid has many years of experience handling criminal
matters. Our offices are located next to the Superior Court
located in Norwalk, Connecticut, and we are regularly involved
in defending clients in that forum, as well as in all of the
State's criminal courts. Recent defense work has involved, for
example, motor vehicle offenses, probation violations, assault,
narcotics possession and sales, larceny, threatening, breach
of peace, weapons possession, and domestic violence charges.
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