For nearly five decades, clients have been calling on Brown Paindiris & Scott LLP for its comprehensive array of legal services, ranging from criminal defense and family law to personal injury and corporate matters. Founded in 1977, the firm also boasts expertise in estate planning, real estate and workers’ compensation, among other areas.
The firm’s guiding philosophy is captured in a simple phrase it has made its own: Lawyers for Life. The idea is that a trusted legal relationship should be strong and wide enough to span the full spectrum of a client’s needs, whether they are starting a new venture, undergoing a difficult divorce, defending a loved one facing criminal charges, or working to settle an estate. With a team deep enough to handle the overlap between those moments, clients of Brown Paindiris & Scott rarely need to look elsewhere.
That breadth has earned the firm an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell — the peer-review system’s highest designation — as well as a spot on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms list.
Over the last few months, Brown Paindiris & Scott has added a new dimension to its practice. The firm launched the BPS Mediation Center, based at the firm’s Essex office at 80 Plains Road. The center offers an alternative to courtroom litigation for individuals, families and businesses seeking a faster, more private and often less costly resolution of disputes.
What distinguishes the Mediation Center is the caliber of its leadership. It is guided by three retired Connecticut judges, each with decades of judicial experience.
The Honorable Peter T. Zarella, a former partner at the firm, served more than 16 years as an associate justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. He authored more than 300 majority opinions on cases including Kelo v. New London, a landmark property rights case that ultimately went to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Honorable C. Ian McLachlan’s career includes a stint in the military, along with time in every division of the Connecticut Superior Court, as well as appointments to both the Appellate and Supreme Courts; he has since been inducted into the Connecticut Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.
The Honorable A. Susan Peck spent 26 years on Connecticut Superior Court, presiding over complex civil and jury trials before retiring from the bench in 2022.
Together, the three bring a depth of courtroom perspective that is difficult to replicate. They understand the law, as well as how disputes escalate despite good intentions and where they can realistically be resolved.
The Mediation Center handles an array of matters, including complex commercial disputes, employment and discrimination claims, personal injury cases, family law conflicts, real estate disputes, and estate and probate disagreements. Sessions are available at any BPS office across Connecticut, and both in-person and virtual formats are offered for clients’ convenience.
For individuals and businesses navigating difficult legal terrain, Brown Paindiris & Scott has long offered the reassurance of a full-service team. The BPS Mediation Center extends that promise, adding a faster lane to resolution, staffed by some of the most experienced legal minds in Connecticut.’
