"Benchmark Plaintiff" Names Suisman Shapiro One of Six "Highly Recommended" Law Firms in the State of Connecticut

Six of the firm’s attorneys honored as “Local Litigation Stars”


New London, CT:Suisman Shapiro Attorneys at Law has been named by the publishers of Benchmark Plaintiff, the definitive guide to America's leading plaintiff litigation firms and attorneys, as one of six "highly recommended" firms in the state of Connecticut. Additionally, six of the firm's attorneys have been honored as "local litigation stars," including:
•    Matthew Auger for Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury and Products Liability
•    James Berryman for Employment/Labor
•    Andrew Brand for Commercial Litigation (deceased August 2011)
•    John Collins III for Insurance, Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice
•    Lawrence Greenberg for Commercial Litigation
•    Matthew Shafner for Personal Injury and Products Liability
Below is an excerpt from Benchmark Plaintiff's editorial regarding Suisman Shapiro's selection:
Because the firm's success is inextricably linked to the needs of the community, Suisman Shapiro tailors its practice areas to meet the needs of the individuals and residents of the community. The firm currently represents victims of the Kleen Energy Plant explosion. The clients were employed by the power plant as pipe and steamfitters and at this point, the claims primarily deal with workers' compensation benefits. This win is notable because the settlement was in excess of the customary award for the client's damage. The attorneys demonstrated that injury to one part of the body is not the only factor to consider when evaluating the impact of that injury to the entire person.

Litigator Matthew Shafner is a recognized expert in asbestos and maritime injury, as well as in the fields of workers compensation. He is responsible for many of the firm's successes and frequently prevails with unique theories of law. Matthew Auger and John Collins III have also been identified by their peers as contributing to the firm's reputation for "aggressive but professional" advocacy. Collins has obtained extraordinary verdicts and settlements for the firm's clients, including a $10 million settlement for a baby burned in a school fire and $1 million for a victim of sexual abuse. A competitor says that the litigators of Suisman Shapiro are an "extremely classy bunch."

The research methodology behind Benchmark Plaintiff includes rankings covering all 50 states. The guide’s results are the culmination of a six-month research period that allowed researchers to conduct extensive interviews with litigators and their clients. During these interviews they examined recent casework handled by the firms and asked sources to offer their professional opinions on litigators practicing within their state or national practice areas.

"Highly recommended" firms received the most mentions, and were held as dominant in their particular jurisdiction. The list of "local litigation stars" for each state reflects only those individuals who were recommended consistently as reputable and effective litigators by clients and peers.

Benchmark is published annually by Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC.

Suisman Shapiro is the largest law firm in eastern Connecticut, providing residents and businesses along the coast from New Haven to Providence with a full range of legal services. The firm was established more than 70 years ago and is firmly rooted in the community.  Suisman Shapiro regularly gives back to eastern Connecticut through its commitment to many local charitable programs, scholarships and sponsorships.