Dennis Durao

Dennis M. Durao is a partner and graduate of Wheaton College. He received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Quinnipiac University School of Law, where he earned numerous academic awards and served as the Articles Editor for the Health Law Journal. His article, An Endangered Species: Professional Sports Team Physicians, was published in that journal. He was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 2012 and is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut and Eastern District of New York, as well as the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

An accomplished counselor and litigator, Dennis helps public- and private-sector clients anticipate and respond to the increasingly complex body of state and federal laws governing the employer-employee relationship. In addition to providing progressive, dynamic and pragmatic counsel to employers, Dennis has vast experience in litigating employee claims, both in state and federal courts, as well as before administrative agencies. Beyond his employment practice, Dennis also represents police officers in civil rights matters and defends elected and appointed public officials against a broad spectrum of civil claims, from pre-suit negotiations through trial, including a declaratory judgment action, civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for unreasonable force, false arrest and malicious prosecution, and state law claims for assault, battery and negligence. Dennis’ diverse litigation experience also includes successfully briefing and arguing various appeals in state and federal court.

Dennis is a member the Connecticut Association of Municipal Attorneys, and also serves as the General Counsel/Risk Manager for West Hartford Girls Soccer League, Inc.  He is a member of The Oliver Ellsworth American Inn of Court and has been named one of the 2018 Connecticut Law Tribune’s New Leaders in the Law; a Connecticut Super Lawyer Rising Star® (Employment Litigation: Defense (2020-2022)); and in The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® (Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants).