Stamford - March/April 2021

STAMFORD // spring fashion Styling the Latest Trends // plus: Guide to TOP LAWYERS //

z

NOW OPEN! New small, local businesses

MARKET WATCH

Newcomers change our real estate landscape

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

On the Market A brick manor house with handsome terraces.

Making the most of backyard perks

MAR/APR 2021 | $5.95 NOV/DEC 2020 | $5.95

settle in Living the good life at home

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contents MAR/APR 2021 vol. 12 | no. 2

features

departments

39

10 EDITOR’S LETTER

by diane talbot sembrot

13 STATUS REPORT

TOP LAWYERS

BUZZ Honey Joe’s Coffeehouse; HBAR Salon; BlackOut Stamford; Barneys at Saks; pre-college summer programs

Need expert legal advice?

Here’s the guide to the top lawyers in Fairfield County.

48

DO Skincare for neck and chest; cutting-edge fertility treatments; newly opened Cedar Corners; books to read now

ON THE UPSIDE How did our area do during the flurry of real estate activity, thanks to New Yorkers leaving the city? We look at the numbers and talk to local real estate agents. by sc ot t thom as

22

GO Luxe travel during Covid-19

54

THE SOCIAL LANDSCAPE Today’s exterior design is expanding outdoor spaces for safe socializing, dining and entertaining—and solitary serenity-seeking.

HOME Three easy-to-love home trends picked by local designers; Smallbone

by t om c on nor

62

36 MONEY MATTERS

How much house can you afford?

SPRING FASHION

13

by m e gan gagnon

71 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 72 POSTSCRIPT by d onna mof f ly

top: Cedar Corners for local-love finds below: Susan Krissel, co-owner of Honey Joe’s Coffeehouse

on the cover: listing with barbar a hickey, william pit t sotheby’s international realt y photo gr aphy: chris c. shaffer / hudson creative productions, llc STAMFORD MAGAZINE MAR/APR 2021, VOL. 12, NO. 2 // STAMFORD MAGAZINE is published bimonthly by Moffly Media, Inc., 205 Main St., Westport, CT 06880.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to STAMFORD MAGAZINE, P.O. BOX 9309, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9607.

CONTRIBUTED IMAGES

Here’s how to style the hottest trends like an expert.

stamfordmag.com

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TacoDa

“Classics are classics for a reason, but the idea behind The Lila Rose is to elevate and add an element of surprise to those dishes” -MORGAN NEALON – CO-OWNER

Towne Street Restaurants • Taco Daddy - The Lila Rose - Es Ok Cafe 121 Towne, Stamford CT 203 . 541 . 5770 TAC ODA DD YANDT H E LI LAROSE TacoDaddy_Single_Mar.indd 1 2_5_STM_TOC_Mar/Apr_2021.indd 3

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digital content & MORE

mar/apr 2021

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IT’S YOUR CHOICE!

Shopping Our editors give you the scoop on must-know finds in fashion, home, beauty and anything that fits into a shopping bag.

IT’S UP TO YOU

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We suggest one thing you can do—yes, during Covid-19. Like it, and you may have picked up a new hobby for life.

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Voting in our readers’ poll is an easy way to help local small businesses. Pick your favorites in dozens of categories, including restaurants, boutiques and salons.

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GREAT FOOD GREAT SERVICE

vol. 12 | no. 2 | mar/apr 2021 editorial editorial director Cristin Marandino–cristin.marandino@moffly.com

Visit ou website fror OUR Celtic specials

editor, stamford; fairfield living; westport Diane Sembrot–diane.sembrot@moffly.com style director Megan Gagnon–megan.gagnon@moffly.com contributing editors Elizabeth Hole–editor, custom publishing Julee Kaplan–editor, new canaan • darien Amy Vischio–creative director-at-large, athome copy editors Terry Christofferson, Kathryn Satterfield, Scott Thomas contributing writers LIz Barron, Tom Connor, Carol Leonetti Dannhauser, Kim Marie Evans, Lauren Fetterman, Joey Macari, Deena Maerowitz, Malia McKinnon Frame, Scott Thomas editorial advisory board Harry Day, Juanita James, PJ Kennedy Jamie Krug, Michael Marchetti, Arthur Selkowitz Jami Sherwood, Lou Ursone

art senior art director Venera Alexandrova–venera.alexandrova@moffly.com senior art director Garvin Burke–garvin.burke@moffly.com production director Tim Carr–tim.carr@moffly.com design assistant Taylor Stroili–taylor.stroili@moffly.com senior photographer Bob Capazzo

digital media director of content strategy Diane Sembrot–diane.sembrot@moffly.com digital marketing manager Rachel MacDonald–rachel.macdonald@moffly.com digital assistant Lloyd Gabi–loyd.gabi@moffly.com

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THE BEST ORTHOPEDICS

BY FAR IS RIGHT HERE. Hospital for Special Surgery and Stamford Health have teamed up to bring world-class orthopedic care closer to you.

Our team of experts remains dedicated to making safe, responsible musculoskeletal care available – wherever you are.

To learn more about our in-person and virtual appointment options, visit HSS.edu/StamfordHealth

HSS Stamford, 1 Blachley Rd, Stamford, CT 06902 Most major insurance plans accepted. New patients welcome.

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TRUSTS AND ESTATES

vol. 12 | no. 2 | mar/apr 2021

Is not just something we do; it is what we do.

publisher

Karen Kelly-Micka publisher, stamford karen.kelly@moffly.com

WILLS AND TRUSTS

sales & marketing

WEALTH TRANSFER

Gina Fusco publisher, new canaan•darien•rowayton gina.fusco@moffly.com

TAX PLANNING

Gabriella Mays publisher, westport•weston•wilton gabriella.mays@moffly.com

PHILANTHROPY

Jonathan Moffly publisher, athome, fairfield living jonathan.moffly@moffly.com

DAVIDSON, DAWSON & CLARK LLP

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COUNSELLORS AT LAW 60 East 42nd Street New York, NY 212-557-7700

Rick Johnson account executive rick.johnson@moffly.com

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WE’VE GOT PLANS!

Eillenn Bandala business assistant eillenn.bandala@moffly.com

THE GOOD LIFE

What does living well mean to you? We take a look home, getaways, finds & family.

LIVE

WIRE

BRAIN // HOW

MAPPI

NG COULD

CURE ANXIET

STATUS REPORT // AZZUL New shoes with Portuguese

heritage // CARS Electric-powered options // POWER Home-generator basics

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Anyone who has been through a major disaster will tell you, it takes a

community.

l families ges of loca ting ima ing home Captiva by stay saving lives

Our front-of-book articles are packed with local finds, from dining to shopping.

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COVER: ON THE , Ethan Nicholas play Rolfert Siblings n and Luella Rowayto at homein

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ALL THE EXTRAS

Local Artists

INSPIRATION During Social Distancing

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REAL HEROES

plus!

EMILY LIEBERT'S NEW BOOK PICKS— GET COZY

IAL SOC IA MED S ENCER SIX INFLU FOLLOWING WE’RE NG IN DINI

Stories of COVID-19

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ARY Restaurant CULIN ESS DELICIOUSN HOME Chef/Owners TO BRING Power Through the Crisis

Molly Healey Brian Lewis Matt Storch Bill Taibe WESTPORTMAG

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editor’s letter

MAR/APR 2021 / DIANE TALBOT SEMBROT

O

AROUND THE CITY

above: Just a few snapshots from my walks around Stamford. You can see more on our Instagram account @stamfordmag!

ver the past year, I’ve done a lot of walking. I don’t want to get stuck in my own little bubble, so I choose different neighborhoods to see what’s what.

There’s nothing like walking a place to feel connected to it. You can live in a town for years, but if you drive everywhere, you’ll miss experiencing it on a personal level. Part of it is being able to see crocuses emerging from the ground soaked with spring rain or a topped-off bird feeder dusted with a lateseason snow flurry. You hear someone calling out last-minute reminders to someone else in the driveway: “Don’t forget to pick up milk!”

You see jungle gyms come down and new cars parked in the driveway. It helps one become part of the fuller story of the neighborhood.

Which brings me to Shippan. While enjoying one of my walks, taking in the splendid landscaping and magnificent home architecture one property after another, I noticed a pattern: New York license plates— driveway after driveway. I easily could have imagined that I was walking through a neighborhood in Westchester—maybe Scarsdale? But, no, there’s the paddle court and there’s that view of the Stamford coastline.

This is our place—we had simply experienced an influx of new neighbors from across the state line.

No one has to tell local real estate agents about this. They are on the frontlines of the work, listing and selling throughout Stamford.

As an editor, I couldn’t wait to hear what it was like for them—especially during Covid—and

assigned out the piece to our expert real estate writer to find out more. What we discovered is more surprising than I expected. We have enjoyed hot markets before, but this one was next level. Turn the pages to find our annual State of Real Estate report and see what it means for longtime residents as well as newcomers. Let’s just say that inventory is low now, but there are ways to make that work for you if you’re ready to make a move.

This issue also includes great ideas for upgrading your outdoor space. Ready for a home garden or maybe your dream project— a putting green or a pool? Now may be the time. Some of the best in the business share their insights on the smart decisions to make so that you’re sure to enjoy the project now and for years to come.

No matter how long you’ve lived or worked in Stamford, you know that this is a place that is always changing, and always for the better. In each issue we have plenty of stories to share with you, so you can get the scoop on new stores, big developments and, of course, interesting people.

If you don’t see your neighborhood in this issue, hang tight. I’m certainly going to head out for another long, and enjoyable, walk soon. Be sure to wave hello, like a friendly neighbor.

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY BY WILLIAM TAUFIC; OTHERS BY DIANE SEMBROT

MAKE A MOVE

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buzz STATUS REPORT

above: While the kids play, parents can stop by the coffee bar and then take a seat by the people-watching window. below: Kids get to climb, scoot and slide to their heart’s content on the shop's playscape.

sweet spot

CONTRIBUTED

T

Honey Joe’s Coffeehouse delivers coffee and comfort for all ages by joey macari

opening during a pandemic is certainly a challenge. We have had to adjust our initial vision of community gathering to allow for safe distancing and increased cleaning,” says Susan. “Ultimately, we want Honey Joe’s to be able to survive the pandemic and be a part of the reconnection.”

he new HONEY JOE’S COFFEEHOUSE (honeyjoescoffee.com) invites caffeine-lovers and their families to enjoy a different kind of coffee-shop atmosphere, right in the heart of downtown.

Inspired by Honey Joe, her beloved stuffed teddy bear from childhood, and the need for a better brew for a growing brood, Susan Krissel and her husband, Steve, designed a sophisticated yet cozy coffee spot. The little ones can enjoy the play area while the adults can sip on high-quality La Columbe coffee. Honey Joe’s also offers matcha, tea, sandwiches, artisan flatbreads, ice cream sundaes (a sure-fire hit for the kids) and a private meeting area for classes, workshops, meetings and more.

Susan and Steve work hard to provide the service and attention customers expect, especially given Covid-19 guidelines.

“After two years of planning,

We are offering private play sessions where you can have the entire play area to your own group, and, as it is separated from the main coffee bar by a wall of windows, it is a pandemic-friendly activity.

SUSAN KRISSEL, co-owner

MARCH/APRIL 2021 STAMFORD

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SET THE BAR

Clients should expect those pampering services to be both safe and good for the environment. Products from Goldwell, Dermalogica and CND, among others, are ammonia-free, certified vegan and paraben-free and, as recognized by Leaping Bunny and PETA, cruelty-free.

Rende’s faith in HBAR is revealed in the timing of the launch: It simply couldn’t wait.

“Opening a business is scary, let alone signing a lease just one week before the world shuts down.

That’s just gut wrenching,” he says. “But, honestly, if it was going to be done, I can’t imagine doing it anywhere else. Being born and raised in Stamford, I am so happy to be here. The community of Harbor Point is so welcoming and encouraging along with the friends and family support I have built over the last thirty years—it all brings me to tears. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the community I have surrounded

HBAR SALON & SPA IN HARBOR POINT by diane sembrot

W

ho doesn’t have a weakness for rebels, especially good-looking ones? So when HBAR Salon & Spa (hbarsalon.com)—providers of premier services for hair, makeup, and nails; spa services, such as massage and reflexology; and curated products—opened its doors, people cheered. HBAR hosted the socially distanced gathering and ribbon cutting at 140 Washington Boulevard, Harbor Point—and everyone was masked up and camera ready.

“After decades of working in high-end salons, I decided to open HBAR Salon & Spa in order to bring to my clients the level of luxury that they know they

deserve,” said Antonio Rende, founder and owner. The new business hopes to attract clients from across the tristate area with its an extensive menu of services for women and men.

“At other salons, clients have to pay extra for some luxury add-ons,” he says. “At HBAR, however, that hair glaze or conditioning treatment with your hair service or those essential oils in your massage come as part of your package. We still offer additional upgrades at a cost for clients looking to add to their experience, but luxury is the standard here, and we want you to know excellence. You deserve this.”

myself with. This is not to say that it hasn’t been difficult and every payday is super stressful and scary, but we are working it.”

HBAR integrates Covid-19 safety measures into its salon and spa practices. For example, it requires face masks, practices social distancing and offers complimentary hand- and phonesanitizing stations. “First-time guests see how diligent we are and how clean the salon is,” he says. “Thankfully, they don’t seem to mind their services taking just a little bit longer to make sure that everything is sanitized.

Everything that is touched is sanitized—from the front door down to each individual hair clip. We are staggering appointments to avoid the risk of a ‘traffic jam’ at the front desk, and we also offer checkouts from the chair. We are taking this very seriously and appreciate that all of our guests are doing the same.” How beautiful is that?

Post-winter recovery tips from Antonio Rende, owner of HBAR Salon & Spa

Winter can take a toll on your hair and scalp. This is the time to take control with Oribe’s Serene Scalp, with salicylic acid and moisturizing agents to balance everything out, starting at the root of the problem—it’s like a facial for your scalp and can be added to any hair service. Speaking of facials, the winter weather in conjunction with masks are doing a number on all of us. An HBAR Advanced Exfoliating and Hydrating Facial will get your skin back to that hydrated luster that you’ve been missing. Then the maintenance of Dermalogica’s Daily Superfoliant, in conjunction with Super Rich Repair moisturizer, will exfoliate away all of your dead skin and replenish your missing moisture.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY RASHAWN LEE OF RAHVISIONS

above: Antonio Rende, owner of the new HBAR Salon & Spa in Harbor Point • Details of the salon and spa as well as luxe products • Zhanna Huska, lead aesthetician

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The nominations are in!

Now it’s time to

VOTE for your favorite local businesses for Best of the Gold Coast BESTOFGOLDCOASTCT.COM Voting ends MARCH 15

MARCH/APRIL your 2021 STAMFORD BECOME A SPONSOR: Contact Moffly Media representative

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ACTION PLAN

5 tips Leilah Saint Louis says to launch your project…

// 1. FIND YOUR PASSION //

“You need to ask yourself questions when starting a movement. Two important ones are: What topics are you most passionate about, and what are your skills and talents?”

// 2. PICK THE RIGHT TEAM //

top row: Social Media Manager Kyndal Black, Networking Coordinator Amber Jones and Executive Director Abnerline Macenat bottom row: Founder Leilah Saint Louis and Art Director Patrick Lespinasse

Make a Move

// 3. DO YOUR RESEARCH // “Researching the topic you

by diane sembrot

O

honors and scholarship program cofounded by Claes Nobel and James Lewis pairs the highest-performing students worldwide with high school and college scholarships, events, connections, internships and career opportunities. Stamford students Leilah Saint Louis, Abnerline Macenat and Patrick Lespinasse led the workshop on how to attract the community to one’s issue. Leilah, an NSHSS Ambassador, founded BlackOut Stamford, a community social justice advocacy organization

last May. Working with BlackOut Executive Director Macenat, Art Director Lespinasse, Networking Coordinator Amber Jones, and Social Media Manager Kyndal Black (from chapter member school Enterprise High School in Alabama), she organized a three-part webinar on voting and social and racial justice.

Running BlackOut Stamford— their cause—they practice the essentials that anyone can learn and replicate when ready to take action on any issue. (Keep up on Instagram @blackoutstamford.)

want to work on is vital to your brand. Make sure you know the ins and outs of your topic.”

// 4. NETWORK //

“To build a brand and bring awareness to your project, know how to network. We found LinkedIn to be very useful—it’s like Instagram for networking.”

// 5. TAKE BREAKS //

“Starting a passion project is very hard work so maintaining a good mental state is very important.

If you need a break, take one. You can’t do your best work when you’re not mentally at your best.”

CONTRIBUTED

Your year to start YOUR OWN MOVEMENT ver the past year especially, social justice has been at the center of many discussions, large and small—across the nation and around the dinner table. Some wanted to move from talk to action—that is, they wanted to do something about injustice.

For that reason, the National Society of High School Scholars (nshss.org) hosted a Making a Movement Workshop one month before the national elections to cover how to brand one’s own initiative. The international

“When looking for people to add to your team, assess yourself to see what your strengths and weaknesses are, and compare them with the people you want to work with—and make sure they go hand-in-hand.”

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NEW HORIZONS

PRE-COLLEGE SUMMER PROGRAMS OFFER A HOST

OF BENEFITS TO TEENS STARTING TO PLAN THEIR NEXT LIFE ADVENTURE by deena maerowitz, jd, msw

W

hen exploring options for teen summer plans, parents often ask me about pre-college programs that are hosted by colleges and universities.

In particular, parents wonder if attending such programs now will enhance candidates’ college applications later. While there is no direct relationship between enrollment in a summer program and admission as an undergraduate, such activities offer plenty of benefits for college-bound teens: INCREASED CONFIDENCE AND A SENSE OF INDEPENDENCE Living in dorms, eating in dining halls, and making friends from around the world are fun challenges.

Teens take pride in rising to the occasion of managing their time and laundry without parental reminders.

A NEW MEMBER OF THE SAKS FAMILY NOW CALLS THE AVENUE HOME

I

n January Greenwich welcomed a new face to the retail scene when Saks unveiled its first standalone BARNEYS AT SAKS store in town. Formerly the Saks Fifth Avenue The Collective, the 14,000-square-foot location will feature men’s shoes and accessories on the first floor and women’s contemporary fashion on the second.

With shoes and accessories from designers including Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana and Valentino, and jewelry, watches and sunglasses from Tom Ford, Movado, Prada, Gucci and Saint Laurent, this marks the first time Saks has offered men’s merchandise in Greenwich.

But ladies, there’s still lots here for you, too. The Ready-to-Wear collections include (among plenty of others), 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alice + Olivia, Aviator Nation, Derek Lam, Frame, Isabel Marant Étoile, Moussy Vintage, Naadam, Proenza Schouler White Label, Rag & Bone, See by Chloé and Staud.

All of the Saks services that you have come to know are available. Need help putting together the perfect look? Personalized selections can be prepared and waiting for you in a private dressing suite. Prefer to shop from home? Shop virtually via video conferencing with a style advisor.

If you’d like to visit the store in person but want to avoid other shoppers, shop by appointment before or after store hours. Same day delivery service is also available. 200 Greenwich Avenue; 203-862-5300; saks.com/c/barneys-at-saks

IMMERSION IN SPECIAL INTERESTS Some programs spend weeks exploring a particular topic—like robotics, journalism, filmmaking, entrepreneurship or social justice. This intense focus can inspire tremendous growth and allow students to explore new fields.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAMPLE COLLEGE-STYLE COURSES Students can enjoy classes with more focused themes that

are unavailable in most high schools.

Compared to “Senior English,” courses that offer a deep dive into gothic novels or literature of the Harlem Renaissance may spark a love of learning.

A VISION OF THEMSELVES ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS When students do start their college search, having lived on one campus may give them insights into others. Do they prefer a large college or a small campus?

An urban or rural setting?

SAMPLING A SETTING BEFORE APPLYING FOR EARLY DECISION Some students may like to see what living on a specific campus is like before applying to a school for early decision, which is binding.

Of course, the most important aspect of any summer program

is what teens take away from it—new friends and expanded horizons. And as with any endeavor, the connection between this experience and the college application process depends on how relevant it is to a student’s personal growth and future dreams.

Choosing meaningful summer activities is about focusing on students’ current interests, while also keeping an eye on what will support their development as young adults.

Within that realm, pre-college programs are certainly something to consider.

Deena Maerowitz, JD, MSW of the Bertram Group, is a published author and speaker on college planning who advises students through the college admissions process. thebertramgroup.com

BARNEYS AT SAKS BY CHI CHI UBIÑA

Attention, Shoppers

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singular in design “Edgy incarnations of luxury” Condé Nast Traveler

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neck deep A Head-Turning 2021 BEAUTY PICK

above: SkinLab at Harbor Point

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Q&A

et’s just be honest: things are tough.

We’re stressed and scared, and when we try to take a break from the news, we walk outside in the sun. Will all of this show on our face?

We mean dehydration, worry lines and sun exposure. With the complex health, political and cultural issues stirring us up, it is good to care for yourself. We turned to the experts at SKINLAB BY NICHOLSMD in Harbor Point (nicholsmdskinlab.com) to ask what we should throw in our bag now for a powerful, effective and luxurious facial treatment at home—but they replied with head-turning advice: Don’t overlook your neck. The brand new Tripeptide-R Neck Repair ($120) from SkinCeuticals is designed to be a fortifying, high-performance treatment for what they say is one of the most challenging areas to treat. It contains 0.2% Pure Retinol to address lines and wrinkles, 2.5% Tripeptide Concentrate to help strengthen and firm skin, and 5.0% Glaucine Complex to support resistance to visible aging.

Defined neck appearance? It’s a topic that might not come up over cocktails with friends, but it’s a welcome tip in a judgment-free/let’sget-real talk at your dermatologist’s office.

You can find this product at skinceuticals.com, dermatologists offices and SkinLab.

with Dr. Kim Nichols, owner of SkinLab by NicholsMD

No. 1

When would you recommend using Tripeptide Neck Repair?

I recommend patients start using a neck product like this before they notice signs of aging such as wrinkles and folds on the neck, as these are easier to prevent than they are to correct.

Start by applying the treatment nightly along with a sunscreen during the day. After a week, if tolerated, I would recommend upping the dosage to twice daily, but make sure you are still using a sunscreen.

No. 2

Is there an in-office treatment that would complement it?

I highly recommend an integrated approach to skincare, which means using clinically proven skincare in tandem with in-office treatments for the best results. The SkinFirm Treatment would be a great option for patients looking to address aging skin on the face and neck. This treatment involves a microneedling session to go deeper and address more intensive aging concerns. A few days after treatment, you will see firmer, more youthfullooking skin.

No. 3

I highly recommend an integrated approach to skincare, which means using clinically proven skincare in tandem with in-office treatments for the best results.

DR. KIM NICHOLS, owner of SkinLab by NicholsMD

ALL IMAGES CONTRIBUTED

Is the Stamford SkinLab currently doing in-person treatments?

Yes, we are currently offering in-office treatments on an appointment-only basis.

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OH BABY NEW CUTTING-EDGE FERTILITY TREATMENTS HELP

WOMEN CONCEIVE WITH A HOLISTIC APPROACH

by liz barron

PHOTO BY ©FOTODUETS - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

F

or those struggling with infertility, modern technology is certainly evolving and working in their favor. And, thanks to the presence of a new Westport practice, Rejuvenating Fertility Center, founded by Zaher Merhi, MD, FACOG, HCLD, there is more hope than ever. Dr. Merhi, who also runs a practice in Manhattan, provides individualized treatment protocols to target each patient’s needs, with various cutting-edge practices to help families reach their goals faster than before.

Dr. Merhi’s main philosophy when it comes to invitro fertilization (IVF) is that the less medication he can use, the better the result will be. While certain medications can certainly assist in egg production, the quality of those eggs is often in question.

“When you are able to use less medication, the quality of the eggs produced is usually higher,” he says. “You only need one good egg to make a healthy baby.”

But this doesn’t mean medication is always abandoned. Treatment plans vary from patient to patient, and Dr. Merhi customizes the course of action based on the patient’s age and ovarian reserve (number of eggs in her ovaries). If a young patient has a high ovarian reserve, Dr. Merhi uses larger doses

of medication to “feed” all of the eggs and ensure that they effectively mature and grow. As a woman gets older, she will tend to have fewer and more “fragile” eggs, which means that less medication is needed. Dr. Mehri explains that “over feeding, or over medicating, can actually negatively impact

FERTILITY FACTS HEALTHY HABITS Diets rich in vitamin D and taking vitamin D supplements have shown potential to help with producing healthy eggs. Avoiding fried foods is also important as some of the chemicals in these foods could negatively impact the quality of a woman’s eggs.

WHEN TO GO Women younger than 35 should try to conceive naturally for one year. Women older than 35 should try for six months prior to seeing a fertility doctor.

INVESTMENT Average IVF cycle costs vary from $6,000 to $12,000.

SUCCESS RATES From 25 percent to 70 percent and decline as maternal age advances

the quality of the eggs.”

Dr. Merhi’s practice offers a large range in traditional treatment options, but his center is one of only a few clinics in the world to offer ovarian rejuvenation. The experimental, minimally invasive procedure involves injecting platelets into each ovary in order to restore ovarian tissue, thus increasing the chances of producing not only more eggs, but also better quality eggs. Success rates depend on patient’s age, diagnosis and frequency of the menstrual cycle.

While low anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) levels or low ovarian reserve are more wellknown reasons why women continue to seek fertility treatments, Dr. Merhi says there are other issues that continue to cause fertility issues. For example, premature ovarian insufficiency can make pregnancy difficult and tends to occur when women younger than 40 stop producing eggs. It is similar to entering menopause at a young age and, he says, with few to no eggs it is difficult to get pregnant. polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can also interfere with pregnancy by causing irregular ovulation. That said, Dr. Merhi says that he can provide women with every chance possible to have a successful, healthy pregnancy.

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GENERALLY SPEAKING THE SIMPLE CHARMS OF THE NEW CEDAR CORNERS GENERAL STORE by joey macari

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ver wish for simpler times? Wish granted! Cedar Corners General Store (cedarcornersgeneralstore .com)—with blast-from-the-past gifts, goods and sundries nook—has opened up shop. Owners Liz and Michael Sweeney pay homage to the Stamford rooted in the charm of a small town in New England rather today’s bustling, contemporary city. “At Cedar Corners General Store,” Liz shared, “customers are able to take a journey back to a simpler time, experiencing a blend of local, unique and fun gifts and accessories in upbeat, old time turn-of-the-century charm.” Harkening back to days when the community gathered to trade goods, sample a sweet and find unique gifts, the shop is designed like a nostalgic, turnof-the-century general store with wood furnishings and a ‘welcome back’ tenor. Cedar Corners offers locally made and name-brand decor, kitchen accessories, knick-knacks, candy and jewelry as well as t-shirts, mugs, throw pillows and more emblazoned with “Connecticut” and “203.”

“Each day at the store, we love to hear people tell great stories and reminisce about the history of Stamford and the wonderful things that have happened here. We are excited to encourage people to be inspired, to step out and to create new products,” says Liz. Locals, old and new, should feel quite at home here.

above: Love where you live? Take your pick of Two Oh Three gear, Connecticut throw pillows and other local finds. right: Cedar Corners includes seasonal home decor, like wreathes and wall signs, as well as year-round favorites, like the candy bins.

At its heart, Stamford is still a very small town with incredible people who want to support each other and want to keep hold of that small-town feeling.

CONTRIBUTED

LIZ SWEENEY, co-owner

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GET LIT!

SISTERS WITH SECRETS, LOVE STORIES WITH THREE VERSIONS OF THE TRUTH, AND A QUARANTINE ANTHOLOGY OF TALENTED WRITERS FOR AN AMAZING CAUSE—THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE THIS SPRING! by emily liebert

MOMS DON’T HAVE TIME TO: A QUARANTINE ANTHOLOGY EDITED BY ZIBBY OWENS

CONTRIBUTED

A

s the creator and host of the awardwinning podcast Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books, Zibby Owens is a major player in the literary world. For nearly three years, the mother of four and avid reader has been using her voice to promote authors and their works of fiction and nonfiction, across all genres. When the global pandemic hit, and she lost both her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law to Covid-19 in the span of six weeks, she decided to launch an online magazine of author-written essays called We Found Time, inspired by all of the things that moms don’t have time to do. Now, these essays will be published in an anthology with original pieces by standout authors such as Chris Bohjalian, Sonali Dev, Gretchen Rubin, Jill Santopolo, Evangeline Lilly, Christina Geist, Bill Dameron, John Kenney and Mary Laura Philpott. Zibby’s intention is to honor her family, along with the millions of others affected by the virus.

In light of this, all proceeds will be donated to The Susan Felice Owens Program for Covid-19 Vaccine Research at Mount Sinai Health System, where Zibby sits on the board. She’s also on the boards of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center and the Child Mind Institute and cochairs the Library Council of the New York Public Library. Additionally, Zibby is a regular contributor to ABC’s Good Morning America online and multiple TV shows. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, Real Simple, Parents, Marie Claire, Redbook, the New York Times online, and many other publications.

TOO GOOD TO BE BY CAROLA LOVERING

THE GOOD SISTER BY SALLY HEPWORTH

S

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kye Starling has it all. She’s smart, beautiful and bred from affluence.

So when her boyfriend Burke Michaels proposes on the heels of a swift courtship, it feels like her life is finally complete. Of course, the debilitating OCD she’s been combatting since her mother’s death when she was eleven can’t be overlooked. And it certainly hasn’t helped her past romantic relationships. There’s also the fact that Burke isn’t exactly who he claims to be. In a third perspective, three decades prior, seventeen-year-old Heather is resolute in breaking things off with Burke, but will their love resurface and thwart Burke’s twisted scheme? The “truth” can be deceiving…

Carola—a Connecticut resident—who also wrote Tell Me Lies and has contributed to W Magazine and National Geographic, has received plenty of advance praise from her peers. Erica Katz, author of The Boys’ Club, said, “Thoroughly engrossing and beautifully crafted…mesmerizingly merges seemingly unrelated lives and expertly weaves together past and present storylines. Deliciously fraught with plot twists that keep readers compulsively turning pages.”

rom the USA Today bestselling author of six novels, including The Motherin-Law (2019)—which was optioned for a TV series by actress Amy Poehler’s production company PaperKite—comes this riveting novel about the secrets and lies that bond twin sisters Fern and Rose who, by nature, are very different. Rose is conscientious, married and devoted to becoming a mother. Fern is eccentric, a free spirit and a librarian who evades social communication. But, still, they are indelibly connected, especially since Rose has protected Fern from their sociopathic mother since they were kids and also because Rose has never told anyone about the terrible thing Fern did years ago. When Fern offers to help her sister have a baby, Rose is faced with the fear that Fern might not make the best choices. What Rose doesn’t know is that Fern is becoming privy to the secrets she’s hiding and that their mother might have the final word in the end. The question is, will they be strong enough to conquer the insanity beneath the surface?

According to Sally, the inspiration for this book arose from her own observations of her daughters playing together. One minute they’d be happy and the next they’d be screaming at each other. When she confronted them about this behavior, she learned that sisters are different than brothers. “There was more love there, perhaps, but also more cunning. A possessiveness that said they could hurt their sister, but no one else could.”

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by kim-marie evans

SAFETY—THE NEW LUXURY THERE’S NO QUESTION THAT WE ALL WANT TO TRAVEL. BUT IS IT SAFE?

T

ravel has never felt as elusive, yet as essential, as it does now. Parts of the globe are temporarily off-limits—and then they’re not. We’re told flying is safe. Oh, wait, no it’s not. Navigating the ever-changing quarantine rules seems impossible. The confusion has kept many of us grounded, cold and pasty white. How can we travel safely and responsibly? We’ve got a few tips and two sunny, sandy, Covid-safe destinations.

CONTRIBUTED BELMOND CAP JULUCA

The newly relaunched Belmond Cap Juluca resort in Anguilla

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go KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Misty Ewing-Belles, managing director at Virtuoso, a premier network of luxury travel advisors, says the company has never seen this much pent-up demand for travel and travel advice. Everyone wants to know: Will the restaurants be open? Is it safe? Will there be anything to do when we get there? Misty offers some guidance.

LOOK FOR DESTINATIONS WITH STRONG INFRASTRUCTURES. Now may not be the time to head to a rustic island with only one restaurant.

Local government support of tourism is critical.

ARE YOU MISSING FAMILY OR FRIENDS? Try a travel pod.

Everyone follows the same protocol prior to travel and reunites at a safe destination.

Preferably with a beach and cocktails. You can cocreate your travel plans on Virtuoso’s new website virtuoso.com/wanderlist.

TOP: CONTRIBUTED FOUR SEASONS ANGUILLA BOTTOM: CONTRIBUTED ANGUILLA TOURISM BOARD

DON’T GET ON YOUR FLIGHT only to find that someone has been seated right next to you due to aircraft changes.

During Covid, airlines are shuffling planes to fit the passenger load.

They’ll switch your seat, and it might not be the one you want.

A good travel advisor will be on top of all of those changes for you so there are no unpleasant, and unhealthy, surprises.

BERMUDA BOUND

A little easier to reach are the pink sands of Bermuda. Though the island doesn’t have a bubble, its strict protocol makes it a perfect and safe getaway. All visitors must provide proof of a negative PCR test taken within five days of travel.

Bermuda then tests guests on arrival and again on the fourth, eighth and fourteenth days of their stay. If this seems needlessly complicated, we assure you they’ve made it simple. Bermuda has partnered with Costco to easily allow nonmembers to purchase at home saliva tests with guaranteed turnaround time.

For anyone close to Manhattan, OpenClear does testing exclusively for Bermuda-bound travelers one day a week. Another good reason to visit Bermuda? The St. Regis opens next month on the sands of St. Catherine’s beach.

ANGUILLA’S BUBBLE

Jack Ezon, founder and managing partner of travel company Embark Beyond, says currently his clients’ number one choice of destinations is the Caribbean island of Anguilla. And they aren’t alone. Readers of Travel and Leisure awarded Anguilla No. 1 Island in the Caribbean for the past three years. The island calls its tourism plan “the bubble,” and it’s working.

You can’t just buy a plane ticket and pack a bikini. The entry requirements are stringent. Visitors pay an entry fee based on length of stay. They must pre-register and provide proof of insurance covering Covid-19 medical tests and hospitalization, doctor’s visits, prescriptions and air ambulance service.

They must also provide a negative PCR test taken within five days of arrival. If just reading this exhausted you, we get it. So does Ezon.

above: If the Four Seasons resort in Anguilla isn’t one of the best places to relax and truly get away from it all, we don’t know what is.

His team handles every detail. They connect clients with concierge doctors who administer inhome PCR tests and guarantee the turnaround time.

As many clients fly private, Embark also ensures the crew has been tested.

Once on the island and tucked into a villa or hotel room (our favorites: the recently relaunched Belmond Cap Juluca and the Four Seasons), it’s almost like pre-Covid life. “Guests enjoy pretty much every activity they would

have in prior years, except hanging out at a local dive bar,” says Ezon. How is this possible? Every visitor is tested upon arrival and doesn’t leave their hotel until they get a negative result.

(Usually within twentyfour hours.) After that, visitors can book activities from scuba and snorkeling to golf and dining out. Activity providers work hard to meet rigorous safety standards. Thanks to strict adherence, the island has seen a nominal number of Covid cases since it reopened to travelers.

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awards

the premier home design competition

Set your sights on a win in 2021!

If you have a project or a firm in CT, go to athomealistawards.com and find out how to get on the A-list!

ENTER BEGINNING MARCH 1 ! athomealistawards.com

Sponsors >

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home HOME STUDY/LOUNGE

FINISHED BASEMENT

BLACK-AND-WHITE KITCHEN

Clean space for school work

Found space gets luxe treatment

Opposites attract in this combo

now trending HOME PROJECTS T O P R I O R I T I Z E T H I S Y E A R

S

ome of us have just moved to town and we’re settling into our new homes. Others of us have lived in and loved the same home for decades. Across the spectrum of homeownership, most would likely agree that some changes are not just a want, but an actual need. It could be a spruce up or a major renovation, but the timing is universally agreed: Now. We’re spending a lot of time at home, and more than ever appreciate the comfort and joy of well-organized and beautifully designed spaces. It works for us and renews us. Turn the page for the home-design forecast predicted by three professionals.

by diane sembrot phot o gr aphy by amy vischio

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above: Interior designer Laura Tutun left: Home study for teens below: A lounge feel was built into the room design.

study space

BOLD OVERHAUL

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PORTRAIT BY CATHERINE WHITE

hether working or schooling at home full-time or intermittently, carving out proper work space pays off. Where we might have a home office, the kids or teens might be getting by with a work space in their bedrooms. But with the stresses of doing more work at home—and spending more time at home, with fewer friends dropping by less often—there’s good reason to create a work/relax area that is truly a space of their own.

Consider an overhaul completed by Laura Tutun, the principal designer of L Tutun Interiors in Rye, New York. “The project was a gut renovation of a home built in the 1800s. The footprint was not expanded, however, every room was repositioned in the home,” she says.

One of the major changes was repurposing an old guest room into a lounge area. “The fireplace and lounge area make it super comfy for watching TV with friends or lounging with a book,” she says. “We designed custom magnetic boards for each desk area and the desks are fully equipped with plenty of storage and file drawers to maximize organization.”

Tutun adds that the space was designed with long-term thinking in mind and that she believes every new home in 2021 will have a designated area that can be multifunctional. “The second-floor study/ office space is the second-most used space in the home,” she says.

“Certainly, a must-have given our ‘new world.’ When the couple are empty-nesters, this space will easily transition into a full-time office for the wife or, as we have all seen during 2020–21, when adult kids return, a perfect multifunctional office for one or two.”

Designer: Laura Tutun Firm: L Tutun Interiors Contact: ltutuninteriors@gmail.com stamfordmag.com

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WELCOME TO THE

HEIGHT OF SENIOR LIVING.

Set on a majestic hillside adjacent to a wooded conservation area, Waterstone on High Ridge is an elegant 62-and-over senior living community offering everything you are looking for in a new home – large apartments, stylish design details, and a feeling of comfort, safety and warmth.

Our community includes amenities such as an indoor heated pool, fitness center and full-service salon, juice bar and restaurant, concierge services, and easy access to enticing cultural, dining and shopping experiences nearby.

With a full spectrum of on-site care available, including independent living, assisted living and memory care, you’ll always have the support you need.

Contact us today to schedule a personalized appointment and find out more about our exclusive Club W benefits.

Ask about our upcoming virtual information sessions.

203.208.3313 | WaterstoneLivingStamford.com

NOW OPEN and welcoming visitors safely: WELCOME CENTER

FUTURE COMMUNITY | OPENING LATE 2021

30 Buxton Farm Road, Suite 120 | Stamford, CT 06905

215 High Ridge Road | Stamford, CT 06905

International Women’s Day

#ChooseToChallenge | Virtual Event | March 8, 2021 at 7:00pm Join us as we celebrate and reimagine the future of women in leadership.

Hear powerful stories, takeaway lessons of hope and action as we empower the next generation.

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CEO Boys & Girls Club of Stamford

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Juanita JameS

CEO Synchrony

President & CEO Fairfield County Community Foundation

Register at http://bgcastamford.org/InternationalWomensDay21

Media Sponsor:

MARCH/APRIL 2021 STAMFORD

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home

above: Interior designer Karen Bow

basement

SOPHISTICATED SPACE

top: This finished basement is meant for fun, with a wall-size photo of where the couple honeymooned. bottom: Soft textures warm the space.

Designer: Karen Bow Firm: Karen Bow Interiors Contact: karenbow.com Interior Decorative Design and Painting: Shelly Denning Builder: Robert Lewandowski, RL construction LLC

PORTRAIT, CONTRIBUTED

O

wning a home comes with a neverending wish list of projects. A finished basement is one that might fall to the bottom of the list, yet actually pays off once it’s done. A finished basement is like found space for the extras in life, like a playroom for the kids, a tech-forward workspace for the teens, a yoga studio for mom, a game room that should be for the teens but also attracts dad, or even just thorough organization of home stuff. There’s always a reason for a room set off by itself.

Interior designers will remind you that finished basements shouldn’t get second-rate attention. That would downplay its potential.

Take, for example, a play room upgraded to a chic adult hang out.

“The family has grown out of the previous space and wanted to add additional indoor luxury living,” says interior designer Karen Bow. “The custom fireplace and bar are the absolute showstoppers in the space.”

Additionally, a sentimental wall mural of where the homeowners honeymooned in Italy adds story. “It sets the tone for the space, and I always love to add personal touches that reflect the people who live in the home. The wall mural absolutely captures my heart.” Bow brought in faux finisher Shelly Denning, who lacquered the pool table, transforming it from a very dark mahogany to the perfect shade of gray, which picks up colors in the mural. “I absolutely love the overall monochromatic affect and the sentimental elements and the books that reflect the honeymoon journey in Italy,” Bow says of the project.

Going forward, she expects such projects to continue. “Now that we are all spending so much more time inside,” she says, “to upgrade the space for college students coming home and additional workspace is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.”

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above: Interior designer Diane Karmen left: The designer's own kitchen below: The room is defined by contrasting black accents, giving the space a coordinated look.

black & white

CHIC COMBO

T

PORTRAIT BY DEBBIE HAZAN

he kitchen has always been a gathering place, but now we’re also cooking more often and stocking up on supplies. Making smart use of the space is essential, for efficient use and a sense of peace.

Consider the harmony in interior designer Diane Karmen’s own blackand-white kitchen.

“When I bought it in 1998,” she says of her expanded 1940 Cape-style house, “I gutted and enlarged the kitchen using classic white cabinets and black countertops. It was timeless design, which held up visually for almost twenty years. When I found myself working on major kitchen renovations for clients, I was inspired to bring a fresh design to my own.”

The contrasting color-combo provides the comfort of pure balance—a stabilizing retreat from a chaotic world. “I love layering whites and neutrals with different textures in my decorating. Adding pops of black creates a grounding effect that feels timeless,” she explains. “The result is an uncomplicated backdrop, then add color, texture and elements from nature: wood, stone, marble, plants, fresh flowers, etc. Many clients are drawn to white spaces, which can sometimes be cold. Adding texture transforms white to warm and inviting.” She points to the Carrara Bella marble island countertop and floating shelves for dishes and glassware. “I didn’t plan on refinishing the floors, but after rebuilding the island, it was necessary.

I used the opportunity to bleach and white wash the red oak throughout the house. I was surprised how much the bleached floors enhanced the space with warmth and beauty, adding yet another layer of natural texture.”

Expect this trend to continue. “The home should feel calm and soothing—a place to retreat and feel renewed, and the kitchen is the center of almost every home,” she says. "When it comes to color trends, a black-and-white palette is clean and uncluttered.”

Designer: Diane Karmen Firm: Diane Karmen Interiors Contact: dianekarmen.com stamfordmag.com

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CELEBRATE YOUR WEDDING

The Westy Mission

STOCK.ADOBE.COM

To give our Customers peace of mind by continuously providing the finest service, buildings and ethical standards in the storage industry.

The Domestic Violence Crisis Center is committed to promoting the fundamental right of all individuals to be safe in their personal relationships. Our professional staff offers confidential services at no charge, including court and legal services, group and individual counseling, temporary shelter, housing services, children’s services, medical advocacy, multilingual services, PeaceWorks prevention education and a 24-hour hotline (1-888-774-2900).

DVCC is the only domestic violence agency serving the communities of Stamford, Norwalk, Westport, Darien, New Canaan, Wilton and Weston.

We welcome wedding announcements together with candid photographs.

Weddings should have a current Stamford family connection and must be submitted within three months of the wedding day.

Regretfully, we are unable to run every wedding submitted.

777 Summer Street, Suite 400 • Stamford, CT 06901-1022 Phone: (203) 588-9100

Send Information to: editor@stamfordmag.com Stamford Magazine 205 Main Street Westport, CT 06880

5 Eversley Avenue • Norwalk, CT 06851-5821 Phone: (203) 853-0418 www.dvccct.org TOLL-FREE 24 HOUR HOTLINE: 1-888-774-2900 MARCH/APRIL 2021 STAMFORD

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above: Named after the renowned street in Manhattan’s Little Italy, this Smallbone Mulberry kitchen design exudes clean lines combined with an eclectic mix of materials including sustainable oak with Calacatta Oro marble worktops.

Luxe Living

W

ith more than a forty-year heritage of British design and craftsmanship, Smallbone has added the new Greenwich Showroom to its roster. Known as a pioneer in cabinetry and kitchen design, the luxury lifestyle brand carries its attention to detail throughout the entire house and is ready to make its mark in Greenwich homes.

“With its magnificent homes and top-end industry professionals in design and architecture, Greenwich has always been a natural environment for Smallbone to work and thrive in. Our very first showroom opened in Greenwich in the 90s,” says Ronnie Shemesh, Lux Group Holdings President Value Creation Officer. “We are delighted to be back in the town and look forward to bringing our flair and style to upcoming projects.”

CONTRIBUTED

CHIC AND SLEEK DESIGN WITH HAND CRAFTSMANSHIP HERITAGE

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“Understanding how one’s client enjoys living life is ultimately the driving force for any great design.”

–RONNIE SHEMESH, LUX GROUP HOLDINGS PRESIDENT VALUE CREATION OFFICER

above: T:he new Icarus kitchen collection features floating, scalloped glass cabinets inspired by Greek mythology and a dramatic—and utilitarian—glass centerpiece. below: Smallbone offers whole-house solutions including bespoke wine rooms and dressing rooms.

From elegant wine walls, bedside tables, armoires and wardrobes to beautifully appointed dressing rooms, media rooms, home offices and studies, every project begins with the craftsmen in its Wiltshire workshop.

The Greenwich Showroom presents the company’s whole-home furniture collections, including the newly updated Mulberry Collection featuring clean lines and strong color, as well as cutting-edge technology such as the Samsung AirDresser that uses heat, air and steam to eradicate germs.

Every project has a dedicated design and installation team and is a close collaboration between designer and client. “Understanding how one’s client enjoys living life is ultimately the driving force for any great design,” says Shemesh. “For example, if you love to entertain a large group or family, with everyone engaging in the kitchen space, then we’ll create the ultimate lifestyle room—a space that allows for entertaining, cooking and socializing, often incorporating informal dining, a bar, TV viewing area and the increasingly popular multiple work-bays for that quick Zoom meeting. With rooms uniquely designed for each individual, they become a special part of how we live, and this is the reward of a personal client relationship.”

45 East Putnam Ave.; smallbone.co.uk

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money matters JUST THE FACTS

Karen Mulreed

N

ow you see it, now you don’t, that “For Sale” sign down the street, which barely lost its sheen before a “Sold” sign covered it up.

According to U.S. Postal Service statistics, some 16,000 New Yorkers moved to Connecticut since March 2020, when Covid-19 seized the city. Since then, many former city dwellers have discovered what we already knew: lower Fairfield County can be a great place to plant stakes.

“Oh my gosh, we have never been so busy, ever,” reports Karen Mulreed, president and owner of Westport Mortgage, who joined the firm in 1997.

This newfound appreciation for our county, combined with shrinking housing inventory and historically low interest rates, means that buyers need to move fast if they want to move in.

One way to leapfrog other potential buyers is with a preapproval letter in hand from a mortgage lender. To get that, you’ll need to assemble information. “I look at it as a puzzle,” Mulreed says.

To determine how much house you can buy, pull out your trusty calculator. Figure out your monthly take-home pay, then multiply that by 25 percent to get a ballpark place to start. (If you take home $10,000 per month, for example, start with an estimated mortgage payment of $2,500.)

Some lenders will nix applications in which the mortgage payment exceeds 28 to 33 percent of your monthly income.

BY CAROL LEONETTI DANNHAUSER

BASIC MATH BEFORE BUYING YOUR DREAM HOME

Next, add up your debt payments each month (car loans, student loans, credit cards, etc.) to calculate your debt-to-income ratio. The lower, the better.

Now, figure out how much down payment you can come up with. While lenders no longer require 20 percent, a larger down payment can mean more lenient qualifying requirements or lower interest rates on your mortgage.

Ratios and calculations in hand, head to the right place to learn your credit score. “Having really good credit is one of the best things you can do,” Mulreed says. “If you really want to run your credit, you need to go to myfico.com. It gives you the scores as I will see it, as the lender, not the consumer. We like to run it because then we can put it through our automatic underwriting program.”

Brokers like Mulreed take all this information to lenders, who will offer various mortgage products with various terms.

Variables will include your down payment amount, interest rate,

length of the loan, points and private mortgage insurance (see box). The factors tug in one direction and the next, and that’s where puzzling comes into play.

“On paper you can have a financial picture that allows you to buy more, but what if your kids are in daycare? Or coming out of daycare? Maybe your career is on its way up so you can stretch a bit.

How does it all fit together?”

Once you’ve lined up a mortgage, expect to pay another 2.55 percent, give or take, in closing costs, says Mulreed.

This covers a percentage of property tax, homeowner’s insurance, attorney fees, appraisal fees and more.

Then, go shopping!

“We encourage everyone, every day to come and talk to us first.

That way, you’re looking only at homes that you can afford. Your Realtor wants to know [that you can get a mortgage], and the seller wants to know, especially with Covid. If you know that you can afford the house, it kind of puts the fun back in shopping.”

1 // Raise your down payment and lower your interest rate.

2 // Raise your points upfront and lower your monthly payment.

3 // Shorten the term of the loan, lower your interest rate and pay much less over the life of the loan— but much more each month.

And so it goes—the give and take of mortgage conditions. A recent calculation on bankrate.com illustrates how a buyer in Connecticut with excellent credit looking to buy a $600,000 home can affect the terms of the deal: Put 20 percent down ($120,000) and pay $4,600 up front in points on a 30-year fixed-interest rate of 2.375 percent. The monthly payment would be in the neighborhood of $1,800.

Reduce that down payment to 13 percent ($78,000), pay no points, and the interest rate raises to 2.5 percent, with a monthly payment of $2,055. Changing one factor affects all the rest. Shop around to get the best deal from your broker or banker.

CONTRIBUTED

THE PUSH AND PULL OF MORTGAGE PAYMENT PLANS What you need to know for the best deal for you.

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2021 PRE-COLLEGE

Summer Programs

Choices, Challenges and New Friendships At Brown’s Pre-College programs, students get a feel for what college life is like and leave prepared for their next steps. More than 200 courses are available. Now accepting summer 2021 applications.

precollege.brown.edu/ct

PROGRAMS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Brilliant Futures Begin at Columbia Summer Immersion Programs 3 Sessions: June 28-August 13

College Edge: Summer 2 Sessions: May 3-August 16

precollege.sps.columbia.edu/HSMM

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PHOTOGRAPH BY ©CORGARASHU - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

TOP LAWYERS in

FAIRFIELD COUNTY MARCH 2021 GREENWICH

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TOP LAWYERS in

FAIRFIELD COUNTY

W

300-plus leading lawyers practicing in Fairfield County. The list has been compiled by DataJoe Research through peer voting and research.

With this list, you won't need to ask your friends for referrals or waste time searching online. All you have to do is review what follows, find the relevant area of practice, visit the websites and call for a consultation. Then leave the rest to the professionals.

e all know it’s best to consult with an attorney for advice when a legal problem arises, but the truth is most of us only seek out a lawyer once that issue—an accident, wrongful termination or custody battle— comes up. Our intent with the list that follows is to encourage you to plan ahead. But in case you need advice this minute, the research has been done for you with this listing of ADOPTION LAW

VICTORIA FERRARA

The Ferrara Law Group 2150 Post Rd, Fairfield 203-255-9877 victoriaferrara.com

APPELLATE LAW BRENDEN LEYDON

Wocl Leydon, LLC 80 4th St, Stamford 203-333-3339 woclleydon.com

NORMAN ROBERTS II GraberRoberts, LLC 350 Bedford St, Stamford 203-590-1070 graberroberts.com

SAMUEL SCHOONMAKER IV

The Schoonmaker Legal Group, LLC 84 W Park Pl, Stamford 203-487-0291 schoonlegal.com

STANLEY TWARDY JR Day Pitney LLP 263 Tresser Blvd, Stamford 203-977-7368 daypitney.com

ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION STEPHEN FOGERTY

Halloran & Sage LLP 315 Post Rd W, Westport 203-227-2855 halloransage.com

ELAINE GORDON

Gordon ADR, LLC PO Box 1218, Westbrook 800-237-7007 gordonadr.com

DOUGLAS MINTZ

Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP 707 Summer St, Stamford 203-252-2658 carmodylaw.com

LYNDA MUNRO

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St,

Bridgeport 203-330-2065 pullcom.com

ALAN NEVAS

Verrill Dana LLP 355 Riverside Ave, Westport 203-222-3120 verrill-law.com

DEBORAH NOONAN

Deborah Noonan 10 Wall St, Norwalk 203-246-4741 divorcemediatect.com

JAY SANDAK

Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP 707 Summer St, Stamford 203-252-2699 carmodylaw.com

MAURICE SEGALL

Maurice Segall LLC 1111 Summer St, Stamford 203-359-1999 ctmediation.com

VICKI VOLPER

Vicki Volper, JD, LLM 246 Post Rd E, Westport 203-222-1202 vickivolper.com

ATTORNEYS FOR NONPROFITS STEFANIA BARTLETT

MATTHEW BEATMAN

Mcelroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney and Carpenter, LLP 30 Jelliff Ln, Southport 203-319-4022 mdmc-law.com

JOSEPH MARTINI

JEFFERY SKLARZ

DAVID MOROSAN

BUSINESS LAW

KEVIN PALUMBERI

Spears Manning & Martini LLC 2425 Post Rd, Southport 203-292-9766 spearsmanning.com

Green & Sklarz LLC One Audubon St, New Haven 203-285-8545 gs-lawfirm.com

Cohen and Wolf PC 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport 203-337-4162 cohenandwolf.com Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP 707 Summer St, Stamford 203-252-2692 carmodylaw.com

R BEACH

Day Pitney LLP 24 Field Point Rd, Greenwich 203-862-7824 daypitney.com

HEATHER RAHILLY

Wiggin and Dana LLP 281 Tresser Blvd, Stamford 203-363-7603 wiggin.com

STEVEN CERTILMAN

Steven A. Certilman, P.C. 350 Bedford St, Stamford 203-977-7800 certilman.com

JUSTIN GALLETTI

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2243 pullcom.com

Cohen and Wolf PC 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport 203-337-4137 cohenandwolf.com

KRISTIN MAYHEW

JENNIFER PAGNILLO

ELIZABETH AUSTIN

DAVID LEVINE

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St., Bridgeport 203-330-2213 pullcom.com

SETH COOPER

BANKRUPTCY AND WORKOUT

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2284 pullcom.com

IRVE GOLDMAN

Cummings & Lockwood LLC 6 Landmark Sq, Stamford 203-351-4417 cl-law.com Day Pitney LLP 24 Field Point Rd, Greenwich 203-862-7875 daypitney.com

KAREN JEFFERS

Zeisler & Zeisler, PC 10 Middle St, Bridgeport 203-368-4234 zeislaw.com

MATTHEW SUSMAN

Cohen and Wolf PC 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport 203-337-4236 cohenandwolf.com

Brody Wilkinson PC 2507 Post Rd, Southport 203-319-7123 brodywilk.com

KAREN WACKERMAN

Brody Wilkinson PC 2507 Post Rd, Southport 203-319-7135 brodywilk.com

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2278 pullcom.com

THOMAS GOLDBERG

THOMAS WALSH JR

Day Pitney LLP 263 Tresser Blvd, Stamford 203-977-7383 daypitney.com

Brody Wilkinson PC 2507 Post Rd, Southport 203-319-7145 brodywilk.com

BARBARA YOUNG

MICHAEL HERLING

Verrill Dana LLP 355 Riverside Ave, Westport 203-222-3123 verrill-law.com

Finn Dixon & Herling LLP 6 Landmark Sq, Stamford 203-325-5015 fdh.com

CIVIL LAW LITIGATION ROBERT ADELMAN

Adelman Hirsch & Connors, LLP 1000 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport 203-331-8888 ahctriallaw.com

CHARLES DELUCA

Ryan Ryan Deluca LLP 1000 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport 203-541-5000 ryandelucalaw.com

MONTE FRANK

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2262 pullcom.com

STEVEN FRENKEL

Cummings & Lockwood LLC 6 Landmark Sq, Stamford 203-351-4206 cl-law.com

DAVID GOLUB

Silver Golub & Teitell LLP 184 Atlantic St, Stamford 203-325-4491 sgtlaw.com

MARC GRENIER

DePanfilis & Vallerie LLC 25 Belden Ave, Norwalk 203-846-9585 dandvlaw.com

ROBERT HICKEY

Ryan Ryan Deluca LLP 1000 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport 203-541-5005 ryandelucalaw.com

MICHAEL JONES

Ivey, Barnum & O'Mara, LLC 170 Mason St, Greenwich 203-661-6000 ibolaw.com

MICHAEL KAELIN Cummings & Lockwood LLC 6 Landmark Sq, Stamford 203-351-4106 cl-law.com

STUART KATZ

Cohen and Wolf PC 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport 203-337-4205 cohenandwolf.com

GARY KLEIN

Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP 707 Summer St, Stamford 203-252-2696 carmodylaw.com

THOMAS LAMBERT

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2147 pullcom.com

PAUL LANGE

Law Offices of Paul A. Lange, LLC 80 Ferry Blvd, Stratford 203-375-7724 lopal.com

ROBERT LAPLACA

Verrill Dana LLP 355 Riverside Ave, Westport 203-222-3110 verrill-law.com

DAVID MARTIN

Cummings & Lockwood LLC 6 Landmark Sq, Stamford 203-351-4108 cl-law.com

FRANK MURPHY

Tierney, Zullo, Flaherty & Murphy, P.C. 134 East Ave, Norwalk 203-853-7000 tierneyzullomurphy.com

CATHERINE NIETZEL

Ryan Ryan Deluca LLP 1000 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport 203-541-5020 ryandelucalaw.com

JAMES NOONAN

Ryan Ryan Deluca LLP 1000 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport 203-541-5045 ryandelucalaw.com

TIMOTHY RONAN

Pullman & Comley LLC 281 Tresser Blvd, Stamford

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Pullman & Comley’s Westport team

Pullman & Comley, LLC 253 Post Road West P.O. Box 3179 Westport, CT 06880 203-254-5000 | pullcom.com Pullman & Comley is one of Connecticut’s preeminent fullservice law firms and a leader in the business community since 1919, partnering with our clients to solve their most complex legal challenges. With three offices in Fairfield County, we have close ties to the communities where we live and work.

We serve emerging growth businesses and public and private companies of all sizes, as well as educational institutions, government entities and nonprofits, in the areas of business and finance,

environmental, energy, healthcare, labor and employment, litigation, real estate and land use law.

We also provide a range of legal services tailored to individuals, families, and closelyheld businesses. Our Family Law attorneys, for example, are skilled in all aspects of divorce, property distribution, alimony, child support and child custody, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and collaborative divorce. The Alternative Dispute Resolution practice offers mediation services in both business disputes and all family and matrimonial matters.

Our Trusts and Estates attorneys provide estate, gift tax, business succession, charitable giving, and philanthropic planning; estate settlement; trust administration; conservatorships; and probate

litigation. Attorneys in our Tax practice regularly advise businesses, individuals and tax-exempt entities on all aspects of federal, state, local and international tax matters.

We have built our reputation over the past 102 years on being there for our clients – and our communities – in the most challenging times. Pullman & Comley’s mantra of “Pulling Together, Succeeding Together” describes our firm culture, and it was more evident over the past year than perhaps at any other time in our history. We are proud that even while working apart, we came together to help our clients respond to unprecedented times, navigate the uncertainty, and even create new opportunities. We are hopeful as we look forward to brighter days ahead.

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TOP LAWYERS in

FAIRFIELD COUNTY

203-674-7933 pullcom.com

203-653-5438 murthalaw.com

KRISTEN ROSSETTI

SCOTT HARRINGTON

Verrill Dana LLP 355 Riverside Ave, Westport 203-222-3132 verrill-law.com

MICHAEL RYAN

Ryan Ryan Deluca LLP 1000 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport 203-541-5050 ryandelucalaw.com

GERARD SAGGESE III

Diserio Martin O'Connor & Castiglioni LLP 1 Atlantic St, Stamford 203-569-1107 diseriomartin.com

MARC KURZMAN

Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP 707 Summer St, Stamford 203-252-2680 carmodylaw.com

Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan LLC 500 W Putnam Ave, Greenwich 203-862-2331 whitmanbreed.com

ANDREW NEVAS

FREDERIC URY

PETER NOLIN

Ury & Moskow, LLC 883 Black Rock Tpke, Fairfield 888-529-4335 urymoskow.com

CIVIL LAW TRANSACTIONAL EDMUND REMONDINO

Wofsey Rosen Kweskin & Kuriansky LLP 600 Summer St, Stamford 203-327-2300 wrkk.com

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION DAVID BALL

Cohen and Wolf PC 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport 203-337-4134 cohenandwolf.com

JAMES BICKS

Verrill Dana LLP 355 Riverside Ave, Westport 203-222-3103 verrill-law.com Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP 707 Summer St, Stamford 203-252-2688 carmodylaw.com

PHILIP PIRES

Cohen and Wolf PC 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport 203-337-4122 cohenandwolf.com

JAMES RILEY

Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan LLC 500 W Putnam Ave, Greenwich 203-862-2342 whitmanbreed.com

JAMES SHEARIN

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2240 pullcom.com

FRANK SILVESTRI JR

Wiggin and Dana LLP 281 Tresser Blvd, Stamford 203-363-7622 wiggin.com

Verrill Dana LLP 355 Riverside Ave, Westport 203-222-3108 verrill-law.com

JOHN CANNAVINO

STEVEN STAFSTROM JR

Cummings & Lockwood LLC 6 Landmark Sq, Stamford 203-351-4447 cl-law.com

JOHN CARBERRY

Cummings & Lockwood LLC 6 Landmark Sq, Stamford 203-351-4280 cl-law.com

COLIN CONNOR

Russo & Rizio, LLC 2507 Post Rd, Southport 203-254-7579 russorizio.com

DAVID FRIEDMAN

Murtha Cullina 177 Broad St, Stamford

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2266 pullcom.com

ANDREW ZEITLIN

Shipman & Goodwin LLP 300 Atlantic St, Stamford 203-324-8111 shipmangoodwin.com

CORPORATE COUNSEL HAROLD FINN III

Finn Dixon & Herling LLP 6 Landmark Sq, Stamford 203-325-5029 fdh.com

J HANCOCK

203-625-8180 eugenericciolaw.com

Gregory And Adams, P.C. 190 Old Ridgefield Rd, Wilton 203-571-6306 gregoryandadams.com

MARK SHERMAN

The Law Offices of Mark Sherman, LLC 29 5th St, Stamford 203-489-2341 markshermanlaw.com

GARY HIRSCH

Hirsch Legal Group, LLC PO Box 7302, Wilton 917-623-3158 gotocounsel.com

BRIAN SPEARS

Spears Manning & Martini LLC 2425 Post Rd, Southport 203-292-9766 spearsmanning.com

CORPORATE FINANCE MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

LINDY URSO

Lindy R. Urso Attorney At Law 810 Bedford St, Stamford 203-325-4487 lindyursolaw.com

FRANK EUCALITTO

Robinson and Cole 1055 Washington Blvd, Stamford 203-462-7586 rc.com

WILLIAM WESTCOTT Maya Murphy, P.C. 266 Post Rd E, Westport 203-221-3100 mayalaw.com

NANCY HANCOCK

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2118 pullcom.com

C YOUNG

Cohen and Wolf PC 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport 203-368-0211 cohenandwolf.com

MARK KADUBOSKI

Wiggin and Dana LLP 281 Tresser Blvd, Stamford 203-363-7627 wiggin.com

EDUCATION

WILLIAM PERRONE

SARAH GLEASON

Wiggin and Dana LLP 281 Tresser Blvd, Stamford 203-363-7604 wiggin.com

Shipman & Goodwin LLP 300 Atlantic St, Stamford 203-324-8132 shipmangoodwin.com

STEPHEN SEDOR

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2137 pullcom.com

MICHAEL BIVONA

The Law Offices of Mark Sherman, LLC 29 5th St, Stamford 203-489-2341 markshermanlaw.com

ELDER LAW

Russo & Rizio, LLC One Post Rd, Fairfield 203-255-9928 russorizio.com

BRUCE KOFFSKY

Brody Wilkinson PC 2507 Post Rd, Southport 203-319-7112 brodywilk.com

FAMILY LAW LIVIA BARNDOLLAR

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2205 pullcom.com

CAMPBELL BARRETT

Pullman & Comley LLC 90 State House Square, Hartford 860-424-4353 pullcom.com

JANET BATTEY

Ferro & Battey, LLC 320 Post Rd, Darien 203-424-0482 ferrofamilylaw.com

JILL BICKS

Pullman & Comley LLC 253 Post Rd W, Westport 203-330-2257 pullcom.com

JILL BLOMBERG

Schoonmaker, George, Colin, Blomberg, Bryniczka & Welsh P.C 1700 E Putnam Ave, Old Greenwich 203-625-1873 sgbfamilylaw.com

JACQUELYN CONLON

Conlon McGlynn & McCann 222 Riverside Ave, Westport 203-222-8686 conlonmcglynn.com

KEVIN DAKEN

Siegel & Kaufman, PC 1266 E Main St, Stamford 203-326-5145 siegelkaufman.com

CHRISTOPHER DEMATTIE Broder, Orland, Murray & Demattie LLC 55 Greens Farms Rd, Westport 203-222-4949 broderorland.com

NICOLE DIGIOSE

Broder, Orland, Murray & Demattie LLC 55 Greens Farms Rd, Westport 203-222-4949 broderorland.com

ANNE DRANGINIS

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2246 pullcom.com

Cohen and Wolf PC 158 Deer Hill Ave, Danbury 203-749-5570 cohenandwolf.com

JENNIFER HAUHUTH

ERIC BRODER

GAETANO FERRO

Keogh, Burkhart & Vetter 34 Wall St, Norwalk 203-866-2535 keoghvetterlaw.com

Law Offices of Eugene J. Riccio 2000 Post Rd, Fairfield

JAMES RICE

THOMAS COLIN

WAYNE EFFRON

STEPHEN KEOGH

EUGENE RICCIO

Pullman & Comley LLC 90 State House Square, Hartford 860-424-4315 pullcom.com

GraberRoberts, LLC 350 Bedford St, Stamford 203-590-1070 graberroberts.com

Cohen and Wolf PC 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport 203-368-0211 cohenandwolf.com

Law Offices of Jennifer A Hauhuth 2425 Post Rd, Southport 203-254-7700 jenniferhauhuthlaw.com

Koffsky & Felsen, LLC 1150 Bedford St, Stamford 203-327-1500 koffskyfelsen.com

LEE HOFFMAN

ANTHONY CENATIEMPO

ANNMARIE BRIONES

ANN FOWLER-CRUZ

ROBERT GOLGER

ENERGY OIL AND GAS

1700 E Putnam Ave, Old Greenwich 203-625-1873 sgbfamilylaw.com

JAIME DURSHT

Beltrano Law 1037 East Putnam Ave, Riverside 203-340-2610 cthealthcareattorney .com

Koffsky & Felsen, LLC 1150 Bedford St, Stamford 203-327-1500 koffskyfelsen.com

Law Offices of Joel D. Muhlbaum, LLC 1100 Summer St, Stamford 203-323-1818 ctnyelderlaw.com

Schoonmaker, George, Colin, Blomberg, Bryniczka & Welsh P.C 1700 E Putnam Ave, Old Greenwich 203-625-1873 sgbfamilylaw.com

MICHELLE BELTRANO

AUDREY FELSEN

SHARON ROSEN

Broder, Orland, Murray & Demattie LLC 55 Greens Farms Rd, Westport 203-222-4949 broderorland.com

PETER BRYNICZKA

Schoonmaker, George, Colin, Blomberg, Bryniczka & Welsh P.C.

Broder, Orland, Murray & Demattie LLC 55 Greens Farms Rd, Westport 203-222-4949 broderorland.com Wayne D. Effron, P.C. 2 Greenwich Office Park, Greenwich 203-622-1160 effronlaw.com Ferro & Battey, LLC 320 Post Rd, Darien 203-424-0482 ferrofamilylaw.com

EVAMARIE FOX

Maya Murphy, P.C. 266 Post Rd E, Westport 203-221-3100 mayalaw.com

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TOP LAWYERS in

FAIRFIELD COUNTY

HOWARD GRABER

GraberRoberts, LLC 350 Bedford St, Stamford 203-590-1070 graberroberts.com

DAVID GRIFFIN

Rutkin, Oldham & Griffin, LLC 5 Imperial Ave, Westport 203-227-7301 rutkinoldham.com

ERIC HIGGINS

Wofsey Rosen Kweskin & Kuriansky LLP 600 Summer St, Stamford 203-327-2300 wrkk.com

JOCELYN HURWITZ

Cohen and Wolf PC 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport 203-337-4223 cohenandwolf.com

ROSS KAUFMAN

Siegel & Kaufman, PC 1266 E Main St, Stamford 203-326-5145 siegelkaufman.com

DYAN KOZACZKA

Rutkin, Oldham & Griffin, LLC 5 Imperial Ave, Westport 203-227-7301 rutkinoldham.com

AMY MACNAMARA

The Law Offices of Amy Calvo MacNamara LLC 2 Greenwich Office Park, Greenwich 203-542-2896 acmfamilylaw.com

DARCY MCALISTER

Carta McAlister & Moore LLC 1120 Boston Post Rd, Darien 203-202-3120 cmm-law.com

LAUREN MCCANN

Conlon McGlynn & McCann 222 Riverside Ave, Westport 203-222-8686 conlonmcglynn.com

LOUISE MCGLYNN

Conlon McGlynn & McCann 222 Riverside Ave, Westport 203-222-8686 conlonmcglynn.com

MICHAEL MEEHAN

MeehanLaw, LLC 76 Lyon Terrace, Bridgeport 203-333-1888 meehanlaw.com

H MURPHY

Maya Murphy, P.C. 266 Post Rd E, Westport 203-221-3100 mayalaw.com

SARAH MURRAY

Broder, Orland, Murray & Demattie LLC 55 Greens Farms Rd, Westport 203-222-4949 broderorland.com

ANDREW NEMIROFF

Reich and Truax 2507 Post Rd, Southport 203-254-9877 reichandtruax.com

PAUL TUSCH

EDWARD NUSBAUM

AIDAN WELSH

SARAH OLDHAM

Rutkin, Oldham & Griffin, LLC 5 Imperial Ave, Westport 203-227-7301 rutkinoldham.com

CAROLE ORLAND

Broder, Orland, Murray & Demattie LLC 55 Greens Farms Rd, Westport 203-222-4949 broderorland.com

THOMAS PARRINO

Parrino|Shattuck, PC 285 Riverside Ave, Westport 203-557-9755 parrinoshattuck.com

RACHEL PENCU

Cohen and Wolf PC 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport 203-368-0211 cohenandwolf.com

YAKOV PYETRANKER

Pyetranker, P.C. 1111 Summer St, Stamford 203-989-0997 pyetrankerpc.com

ALAN RUBENSTEIN

Halloran & Sage LLP 315 Post Rd W, Westport 203-222-4301 halloransage.com

ARNOLD RUTKIN

Rutkin, Oldham & Griffin, LLC 5 Imperial Ave, Westport 203-227-7301 rutkinoldham.com

THOMAS SHANLEY

Thomas M. Shanley, P.C. 37 Arch St, Greenwich 203-542-9391 shanleylawfirm.com

MARK SOBOSLAI

The Law Offices of Mark R. Soboslai, LLC 383 Riverside Ave, Westport

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2282 pullcom.com

LOUISE TRUAX

Fogarty Cohen Russo & Nemiroff LLC 1700 E Putnam Ave, Old Greenwich 203-661-1000 fcsn.com Law Offices of Edward Nusbaum, PC 212 Post Rd W, Westport 203-226-8181 nusbaumfamilylaw.com

AMY MURRAY

203-226-5759 marksoboslai.com

PATRICIA WEITZMAN Verrill Dana LLP 355 Riverside Ave, Westport 203-222-3116 verrill-law.com

Cacace, Tusch & Santagata 1111 Summer St, Stamford 203-327-2000 lawcts.com

IMMIGRATION LAW

Schoonmaker, George, Colin, Blomberg, Bryniczka & Welsh P.C 1700 E Putnam Ave, Old Greenwich 203-625-1873 sgbfamilylaw.com

ADAM MOCCIOLO

Pullman & Comley LLC 281 Tresser Blvd, Stamford 203-330-2128 pullcom.com

INSURANCE

GENERAL PRACTICE

JONATHAN BOWMAN

ANTHONY DEPANFILIS

Cohen and Wolf PC 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport 203-337-4135 cohenandwolf.com

DePanfilis & Vallerie LLC 25 Belden Ave, Norwalk 203-846-9585 dandvlaw.com

JOHN CANNAVINO JR

GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE

Ryan Ryan Deluca LLP 1000 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport 203-549-6621 ryandelucalaw.com

MICHAEL ANDREANA

EDWARD MCCREERY III

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2235 pullcom.com

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2216 pullcom.com

IRA BLOOM

Berchem Moses PC 1221 Post Rd E, Westport 203-227-9545 berchemmoses.com

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

MARIO COPPOLA

Berchem Moses PC 1221 Post Rd E, Westport 203-227-9545 berchemmoses.com

JED FERDINAND

Ferdinand IP 1221 Post Rd E, Westport 203-557-4224 ferdinandip.com

JESSICA KENNEDY

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2215 pullcom.com

PAUL GREELEY

HEALTHCARE LAW COLLIN BARON

Zeldes, Needle & Cooper, PC 1000 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport 203-332-5726 znclaw.com

LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ROBERT BRODY

Brody and Associates LLC 120 Post Rd W, Westport 203-454-0560 brodyandassociates.com

MARK CARTA

Carta McAlister & Moore LLC 1120 Boston Post Rd, Darien 203-202-3131 cmm-law.com

RICHARD CASTIGLIONI

Diserio Martin O'Connor & Castiglioni LLP 1 Atlantic St, Stamford 203-569-1109 diseriomartin.com

LEWIS CHIMES

Law Office of Lewis Chimes LLC 45 Franklin St, Stamford 203-324-7744 chimeslaw.com

DAVID COHEN

Wofsey Rosen Kweskin & Kuriansky LLP 600 Summer St, Stamford 203-327-2300 wrkk.com

DEBORAH DEHART CANNAVINO

Epstein Becker & Green PC 1 Landmark Square, Stamford 203-326-7437 ebglaw.com

STEPHEN MCNAMARA

MARIA GARCIA-QUINTNER

Withersworldwide 1700 E Putnam Ave, Greenwich 203-302-4069 withersworldwide.com

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2280 pullcom.com

EDWARD SCOFIELD

STEVEN FREDERICK

STEVEN MOORE

STEPHEN COWHERD

Ohlandt Greeley Ruggiero & Perle, LLP 1 Landmark Square, Stamford 203-327-4500 ogrp.com

Ohlandt Greeley Ruggiero & Perle, LLP 1 Landmark Square, Stamford 203-327-4500 ogrp.com St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens LLC 986 Bedford St, Stamford 203-324-6155 ssjr.com

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2219 pullcom.com

CHARLES RUGGIERO

Wofsey Rosen Kweskin & Kuriansky LLP 600 Summer St, Stamford 203-327-2300 wrkk.com

SCOTT LUCAS

Lucas & Varga LLC 2425 Post Rd, Southport 203-227-8400 lucasvargalaw.com

LAUREN MACDONALD Maya Murphy, P.C. 266 Post Rd E, Westport 203-221-3100 mayalaw.com

KUROSH MARJANI

Wofsey Rosen Kweskin & Kuriansky LLP 600 Summer St, Stamford 203-327-2300 wrkk.com

JOSEPH MAYA

Maya Murphy, P.C. 266 Post Rd E, Westport 203-221-3100 mayalaw.com

JONATHAN ORLEANS

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2129 pullcom.com

DAVID RINTOUL

Zeldes, Needle & Cooper, PC 1000 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport 203-332-5782 znclaw.com

CLAIRE RYAN

Ryan Ryan Deluca LLP 1000 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport 203-541-5024 ryandelucalaw.com

DANIEL SCHWARTZ Day Pitney LLP 263 Tresser Blvd, Stamford 203-977-7536 daypitney.com

MARGARET SHEAHAN

Mitchell & Sheahan, PC 999 Oronoque Ln, Stratford 203-873-0240 mitchellandsheahan.com

MARY-KATE SMITH

Law Office of Lewis Chimes LLC 45 Franklin St, Stamford 203-324-7744 chimeslaw.com

MGQ Law, LLC 246 Post Rd E, Westport 203-836-3336 mgqlaw.com

DOUGLAS VARGA

GEORGE KASPER

DANIEL YOUNG

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2119 pullcom.com

Lucas & Varga LLC 2425 Post Rd, Southport 203-227-8400 lucasvargalaw.com Wofsey Rosen Kweskin & Kuriansky LLP 600 Summer St, Stamford 203-327-2300 wrkk.com

MARCH 2021 GREENWICH

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TOP LAWYERS in

FAIRFIELD COUNTY

ZACHARY ZEID

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2077 pullcom.com

LAND USE ENVIRONMENT LEONARD BRAMAN

Wofsey Rosen Kweskin & Kuriansky LLP 600 Summer St, Stamford 203-327-2300 wrkk.com

PAMELA ELKOW

Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP 707 Summer St, Stamford 203-252-2672 carmodylaw.com

LISA FEINBERG

Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP 707 Summer St, Stamford 203-252-2677 carmodylaw.com

WILDER GLEASON

Gleason & Associates LLC 23 Old Kings Highway S, Darien 203-655-9696 gleasonllc.com

JOHN HEAGNEY

Heagney Lennon & Slane LLP 248 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich 203-661-8400 hls248.com

WILLIAM HENNESSEY JR Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP 707 Summer St, Stamford 203-425-4200 carmodylaw.com

JACQUELINE KAUFMAN Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP 707 Summer St, Stamford 203-252-2665 carmodylaw.com

BARBARA MILLER

Brody Wilkinson PC 2507 Post Rd, Southport 203-319-7133 brodywilk.com

EDWARD O'HANLAN

Robinson and Cole 1055 Washington Blvd, Stamford 203-462-7556 rc.com

CHRISTOPHER RUSSO Russo & Rizio, LLC One Post Rd, Fairfield 203-255-9928 russorizio.com

PATRICIA SULLIVAN Cohen and Wolf PC 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport 203-337-4124 cohenandwolf.com

AUSTIN WOLF

Cohen and Wolf PC 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport 203-368-0211 cohenandwolf.com

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE DEFENSE REBECCA BRINDLEY

Stockman O'Connor Connors PLLC 10 Middle St, Bridgeport 203-220-6590 stockmanoconnor.com

JOHN COSTA

Ryan Ryan Deluca LLP 1000 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport 203-541-5044 ryandelucalaw.com

SALLY HAGERTY

DanaherLagnese, PC 21 Oak St, Hartford 860-247-3666 danaherlagnese.com

ILYSSA KELSON

DanaherLagnese, PC 21 Oak St, Hartford 860-247-3666 danaherlagnese.com

DANIEL RYAN III

Ryan Ryan Deluca LLP 1000 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport 203-541-5030 ryandelucalaw.com

ERIC STOCKMAN

Stockman O'Connor Connors PLLC 10 Middle St, Bridgeport 203-220-6533 stockmanoconnor.com

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE PLAINTIFF MARCO ALLOCCA Silver Golub & Teitell LLP 184 Atlantic St, Stamford 203-325-4491 sgtlaw.com

ADAM BLANK

Stamford 203-252-2666 carmodylaw.com

Wofsey Rosen Kweskin & Kuriansky LLP 600 Summer St, Stamford 203-327-2300 wrkk.com

WILLIAM HENNESSEY

Law Offices Of William J. Hennessey 49 Cannon St, Bridgeport 203-366-6115 bridgeportcaraccident lawyer.com

NICOLE COATES Silver Golub & Teitell LLP 184 Atlantic St, Stamford 203-325-4491 sgtlaw.com

MICHAEL KENNEDY

Silver Golub & Teitell LLP 184 Atlantic St, Stamford 203-325-4491 sgtlaw.com

PETER DREYER Silver Golub & Teitell LLP 184 Atlantic St, Stamford 203-325-4491 sgtlaw.com

BRIAN KLUBERDANZ

Wofsey Rosen Kweskin & Kuriansky LLP 600 Summer St, Stamford 203-327-2300 wrkk.com

CINDY ROBINSON

Tremont Sheldon Robinson Mahoney P.C. 64 Lyon Ter, Bridgeport 203-335-5145 tremontsheldon.com

DOUGLAS MAHONEY

Tremont Sheldon Robinson Mahoney P.C. 64 Lyon Ter, Bridgeport 203-335-5145 tremontsheldon.com

RICHARD SILVER Silver Golub & Teitell LLP 184 Atlantic St, Stamford 203-325-4491 sgtlaw.com

NEAL MOSKOW

Ury & Moskow, LLC 883 Black Rock Tpke, Fairfield 888-529-4335 urymoskow.com

NICHOLAS WOCL

JOHNPATRICK O'BRIEN

Wocl Leydon, LLC 80 4th St, Stamford 203-333-3339 woclleydon.com

Cohen and Wolf PC 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport 203-337-4113 cohenandwolf.com

ANGELO ZIOTAS Silver Golub & Teitell LLP 184 Atlantic St, Stamford 203-325-4491 sgtlaw.com

ALAN PICKEL

PERSONAL INJURY

BENJAMIN POMERANTZ

The Pickel Law Firm, LLC 1700 Bedford St, Stamford 203-348-4100 pickellaw.com Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP 707 Summer St, Stamford 203-252-2645 carmodylaw.com

STEWART CASPER

Casper & DeToledo LLC 1458 Bedford St, Stamford 203-325-8600 casperdetoledo.com

PAUL SLAGER

WILLIAM DAVOREN

Silver Golub & Teitell LLP 184 Atlantic St, Stamford 203-325-4491 sgtlaw.com

Wofsey Rosen Kweskin & Kuriansky LLP 600 Summer St, Stamford 203-327-2300 wrkk.com

ERNEST TEITELL

Silver Golub & Teitell LLP 184 Atlantic St, Stamford 203-325-4491 sgtlaw.com

STEPHEN FINN

Wofsey Rosen Kweskin & Kuriansky LLP 600 Summer St, Stamford 203-327-2300 wrkk.com

JEREMY VISHNO

Vishno Law Firm 183 Sherman St, Fairfield 203-256-2373 vishnolawfirm.com

KEVIN GRECO

Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP 707 Summer St,

PRODUCT LIABILITY

Stamford 203-327-2000 lawcts.com

JORAM HIRSCH

WILLIAM CARELLO

PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE NON MEDICAL DEFENSE

BRUCE COHEN

Adelman Hirsch & Connors, LLP 1000 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport 203-331-8888 ahctriallaw.com

KAREN ALLISON

Ryan Ryan Deluca LLP 1000 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport 203-541-5023 ryandelucalaw.com

DAVID ATKINS

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2103 pullcom.com

STEPHEN CONOVER

Wofsey Rosen Kweskin & Kuriansky LLP 600 Summer St, Stamford 203-327-2300 wrkk.com Fogarty Cohen Russo & Nemiroff LLC 1700 E Putnam Ave, Old Greenwich 203-661-1000 fcsn.com

JOSHUA COLE

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2217 pullcom.com

STEVEN ELBAUM

Robinson and Cole 1055 Washington Blvd, Stamford 203-462-7526 rc.com

Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP 707 Summer St, Stamford 203-252-2668 carmodylaw.com

GEOFFREY FAY

ROBERT LANEY

Verrill Dana LLP 355 Riverside Ave, Westport 203-222-3109 verrill-law.com

Ryan Ryan Deluca LLP 1000 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport 203-541-5010 ryandelucalaw.com

MARCY STOVALL

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-674-7976 pullcom.com

REGINA FLAHERTY

MARSHALL GOLDBERG

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2104 pullcom.com

Wofsey Rosen Kweskin & Kuriansky LLP 600 Summer St, Stamford 203-327-2300 wrkk.com

SUZANNE SUTTON

STEVEN GRUSHKIN

REAL ESTATE

DONALD GUSTAFSON

Cohen and Wolf PC 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport 203-368-0211 cohenandwolf.com

MICHAEL BYRNE

Day Pitney LLP 263 Tresser Blvd, Stamford 203-977-7349 daypitney.com

MICHAEL BYRNE

Byrne and O'Neill LLP 112 Prospect St, Stamford 203-327-7561 bonlaw.com

MICHAEL CACACE Cacace, Tusch & Santagata 1111 Summer St,

Wofsey Rosen Kweskin & Kuriansky LLP 600 Summer St, Stamford 203-327-2300 wrkk.com Shipman & Goodwin LLP 300 Atlantic St, Stamford 203-324-8103 shipmangoodwin.com

PATRICK HANNA

Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP 707 Summer St, Stamford 203-252-2667 carmodylaw.com

MICHAEL HINTON Cummings & Lockwood LLC 6 Landmark Sq, Stamford

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TOP LAWYERS in

FAIRFIELD COUNTY

Westport 203-226-1001 bertralaw.com

Darien 203-202-3110 cmm-law.com

203-330-2133 pullcom.com

Hoekenga & Machado, LLC 193 Main St, Danbury 203-792-3300 hdmlegal.com

DAVID KURATA

MICHAEL MURRAY

Russo & Rizio, LLC One Post Rd, Fairfield 203-255-9928 russorizio.com

JEREMY KAYE

CHARLES MARTIN III

203-351-4492 cl-law.com

CRAIG HOEKENGA II

Kaye and Hennessey, LLC 71 Lewis St, Greenwich 203-625-5300 kayehenlaw.com

LISA KENT

Lisa Kent Attorney At Law 2425 Post Rd, Southport 203-955-1313 lkentlaw.com

MARK KIRSCH

Cohen and Wolf PC 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport 203-337-4254 cohenandwolf.com

HOWARD KOMISAR

Berkowitz Trager and Trager LLC 8 Wright St,

Russo & Rizio, LLC One Post Rd, Fairfield 203-255-9928 russorizio.com Robinson and Cole 1055 Washington Blvd, Stamford 203-462-7522 rc.com

KATHLEEN MERRIGAN

MICHAEL ROSTEN

Russo & Rizio, LLC 2507 Post Rd, Southport 203-254-7579 russorizio.com

MICHAEL PROCTOR

JONATHAN MILLS

ROBERT RAHILLY

GLEN MOORE

Carta McAlister & Moore LLC 1120 Boston Post Rd,

Cohen and Wolf PC 320 Post Rd W, Westport 203-341-5330 cohenandwolf.com

LEAH PARISI

Cummings & Lockwood LLC 2 Greenwich Plz, Greenwich 203-863-6506 cl-law.com

Cummings & Lockwood LLC 6 Landmark Sq, Stamford 203-351-4100 cl-law.com

RAYMOND RIZIO

Ivey, Barnum & O'Mara, LLC 161 Cherry St, New Canaan 203-966-1492 ibolaw.com

ROBERT RUSSO

Russo & Rizio, LLC 2507 Post Rd, Southport 203-254-7579 russorizio.com

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2145 pullcom.com

Berkowitz Trager and Trager LLC 8 Wright St, Westport 203-226-1001 bertralaw.com

ROBERT SISCA

MARY BETH RAPICE

MICHAEL SWEENEY

RICHARD DIMARCO

Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP 707 Summer St, Stamford 203-252-2690 carmodylaw.com

SECURITIES LAW RICHARD SLAVIN

Cohen and Wolf PC 320 Post Rd W, Westport 203-341-5310 cohenandwolf.com

MICHAEL RUEDA

Withersworldwide 430 Park Ave, New York 203-302-4087 withersworldwide.com

TAX LAW

Law Offices of Robert Vincent Sisca & Associates, LLC 32 Field Point Rd,

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport

Fairfield 203-254-1118 btlawfirm.com

SPORTS LAW

STEVEN SIEGELAUB

Day Pitney LLP 263 Tresser Blvd, Stamford 203-977-7304 daypitney.com

Greenwich 203-629-3831 lorvs.com

SAMUEL BRAUNSTEIN Braunstein and Todisco PC 1 Eliot Place,

Cohen and Wolf PC 320 Post Rd W, Westport 203-341-5301 cohenandwolf.com

BRETT DIXON

Finn Dixon & Herling LLP 6 Landmark Sq, Stamford 203-325-5016 fdh.com

LESLIE GRODD

Halloran & Sage LLP 315 Post Rd W, Westport 203-222-4306 halloransage.com

WONCHI JU

Withersworldwide 157 Church St, New Haven 203-974-0325 withersworldwide.com

WILLIAM KAMBAS

Withersworldwide 1700 E Putnam Ave, Greenwich 203-974-0313 withersworldwide.com

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1/28/21 5:21 PM

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TOP LAWYERS in

FAIRFIELD COUNTY

DAVID LEHN

Withersworldwide 1700 E Putnam Ave, Greenwich 203-302-4077 withersworldwide.com

D MORRIS

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2109 pullcom.com

KELLY O'DONNELL

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2264 pullcom.com

EDWARD RENN

Withersworldwide 1700 E Putnam Ave, Greenwich 203-974-0343 withersworldwide.com

CARA SANTORO Cummings & Lockwood LLC 6 Landmark Sq, Stamford 203-351-4195 cl-law.com

SHAUNA SARNO

Withersworldwide 157 Church St, New Haven 203-974-0433 withersworldwide.com

TECHNOLOGY VIRTUAL RUSSELL ANDERSON

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2271 pullcom.com

WILLS DOUGLAS BROWN

Brody Wilkinson PC 2507 Post Rd, Southport 203-319-7119 brodywilk.com

DAVID BUSSOLOTTA

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2223 pullcom.com

MICHAEL CLEAR

Wiggin and Dana LLP 30 Milbank Ave, Greenwich 203-363-7675 wiggin.com

LAUREN DAVIES

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport 203-330-2076 pullcom.com

B DELANY

Cummings & Lockwood LLC 2 Greenwich Plz, Greenwich 203-863-6554 cl-law.com

MARGARET DELUCA

Cummings & Lockwood LLC 6 Landmark Sq, Stamford 203-351-4298 cl-law.com

JAMES DOUGHERTY

Withersworldwide 1700 E Putnam Ave, Greenwich 203-974-0333 withersworldwide.com

ELIZABETH FALKOFF Russo & Rizio, LLC 2507 Post Rd, Southport 203-254-7579 russorizio.com

DANIEL FITZGERALD Cummings & Lockwood LLC 2 Greenwich Plz, Greenwich 203-863-6511 cl-law.com

JAMES FUNNELL JR

Brody Wilkinson PC 2507 Post Rd, Southport 203-226-6552 brodywilk.com

JESSIE GILBERT

Cummings & Lockwood LLC 2 Greenwich Plz, Greenwich 203-863-6503 cl-law.com

GREGORY HAYES

Day Pitney LLP 263 Tresser Blvd, Stamford 203-977-7365 daypitney.com

JEVERA HENNESSEY Kaye and Hennessey, LLC 71 Lewis St, Greenwich 203-625-5300 kayehenlaw.com

DAVID HERMENZE

Brody Wilkinson PC 2507 Post Rd, Southport 203-226-6552 brodywilk.com

LEONARD LEADER

Wiggin and Dana LLP 60 Church Ln, Westport 203-363-7602 wiggin.com

EDWARD MARCANTONIO Brody Wilkinson PC 2507 Post Rd,

Southport 203-226-6552 brodywilk.com

203-222-3118 verrill-law.com

203-254-5008 pullcom.com

ALESSANDRA MESSINEO LONG

CONSTANCE SHIELDS

Withersworldwide 1700 E Putnam Ave, Greenwich 203-974-0418 withersworldwide.com

LUKE TASHJIAN

The Law Offices of Alessandra Messineo Long 34 Field Rd, Riverside 203-249-3601 amlonglaw.com

Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan LLC 500 W Putnam Ave, Greenwich 203-862-2311 whitmanbreed.com

AMY WILFERT

Smith & Grant LLP 9 Greenwich Office Park, Greenwich 203-661-1110 smithgrant.com

AMY TODISCO

KAREN YATES

GRETA SOLOMON

HOWARD TUTHILL III

GEORGE SMITH

PETER MOTT

Brody Wilkinson PC 2507 Post Rd, Southport 203-319-7136 brodywilk.com

Cohen and Wolf PC 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport 203-337-4114 cohenandwolf.com

JOHN MUSICARO JR

Cummings & Lockwood LLC 6 Landmark Sq, Stamford 203-351-4343 cl-law.com

JAMES STEWART

Pullman & Comley LLC 850 Main St, Bridgeport

STEPHEN NAPIER

Berkowitz Trager and Trager LLC 8 Wright St, Westport 203-226-1001 bertralaw.com

Greenwich 203-863-6590 cl-law.com

Braunstein and Todisco PC 1 Eliot Place, Fairfield 203-254-1118 btlawfirm.com Cummings & Lockwood LLC 6 Landmark Sq, Stamford 203-351-4308 cl-law.com

LAURA WEINTRAUB BECK Cummings & Lockwood LLC 2 Greenwich Plz,

Day Pitney LLP 24 Field Point Rd, Greenwich 203-862-7811 daypitney.com Withersworldwide 157 Church St, New Haven 203-974-0355 withersworldwide.com

WORKER'S COMPENSATION MEG LYON

Hoekenga & Machado, LLC 193 Main St, Danbury 203-792-3300 hdmlegal.com G

METHODOLOGY: To create the list, the magazine contracted DataJoe Research to facilitate an online peer-voting process and Internet research process. DataJoe Research is a software and research company specializing in data collection and verification, and conducts various nominations across the United States on behalf of publishers. To create the list, DataJoe Research facilitated an online peer-voting process. We paired this with an Internet research process to identify success characteristics. DataJoe checked and confirmed that each published winner had, at time of review, a current, active license status with the appropriate state regulatory board. If we were not able to find evidence of a lawyer's current, active registration with the state regulatory board, that lawyer was excluded from the list. In addition, we checked available public sources to identify lawyers disciplined for an infraction by the state regulatory board. These entities were excluded from the list. Finally, DataJoe presented the tallied result to the magazine for its final review and adjustments.

Final note We recognize that there are many good lawyers who are not shown in this representative list. This is only a sampling of the huge array of talented professionals within the region. Inclusion in the list is based on the opinions of responding lawyers in the region. We take time and energy to ensure fair voting, although we understand that the results of this survey nomination and Internet research campaign are not an objective metric. We certainly do not discount the fact that many, many good and effective lawyers may not appear on the list.

DOUGLAS OLIN

Cummings & Lockwood LLC 2 Greenwich Plz, Greenwich 203-863-6504 cl-law.com

JOSEPH PANKOWSKI JR Wofsey Rosen Kweskin & Kuriansky LLP 600 Summer St, Stamford 203-327-2300 wrkk.com

JENNIFER PORT Ivey, Barnum & O'Mara, LLC 170 Mason St, Greenwich 203-661-6000 ibolaw.com

EDWARD RODENBACH Cummings & Lockwood LLC 2 Greenwich Plz, Greenwich 203-863-6551 cl-law.com

RICHARD SARNER

Richard A. Sarner of Zeldes, Needle & Cooper, PC 263 Tresser Blvd, Stamford 833-332-8670 sarnerlaw.com

DISCLAIMER DataJoe uses best practices and exercises great care in assembling content for this list. DataJoe does not warrant that the data contained within the list are complete or accurate. DataJoe does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All rights reserved.

No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without written permission from DataJoe.

GREGORY SAUM

The Law Office of Gregory A. Saum, LLC 1281 E Main St, Stamford 203-340-9945 saumlaw.com

SHARON SCHWEITZER Verrill Dana LLP 355 Riverside Ave, Westport

Questions? For research/methodology questions, contact the research team at surveys@datajoe.com.

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A-List_2

ON

The sudden price rise in Stamford’s real estate scene

BY SCOTT THOMAS

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF REAL ESTATE EXPERTS

THE stamfordmag.com

48

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property sales in the pandemic

T

he Covid-19 pandemic

time window of less than a month.

unleashed a real estate

While the pandemic had

buying frenzy the likes

a negative impact on many

of which were never

Connecticut residents, Stamford

before seen in Stamford. The path

Realtors saw an unprecedented

to get there was uneven, swift

surge. Through the first nine months

and transformational for Realtors

of the year, sales of single-family

who needed to adjust on the fly in

homes increased by 21 percent

the way they conducted business

compared to 2019. Condominiums,

transactions.

which have languished for an

“It felt like a fire hydrant opened,

REAL ESTATE EXPERTS

Vikktoria Cooper Coldwell Banker Realty

uncomfortably long time, suddenly

and we were drinking water as fast

became hot. In June, 163 single-

as we could,’’ said Vikktoria Cooper

family homes sold in Stamford, an

of Coldwell Banker Realty, and the

increase of more than 30 percent

Barbara Hickey

outgoing president of the Stamford

from 2019. Through the first nine

Board of Realtors. “Any real estate

months in Stamford, the average

William Pitt Sotheby’s International Reality

agent who had a car and was ready,

selling price rose 31.7 percent,

willing and able was on the road.”

and the average days on market

Beginning in June, when the buyer surge started, many real estate

dwindled by almost 36 percent.

The numbers reflected a

agents worked for months on end

countywide trend as prices jumped

without a day off. Some homes sold

12 percent and closed volumed

sight unseen. Home prices soared

dollars increased by 40 percent.

well over the asking price. North

Randy Salvatore CEO and president of RMS Companies

“For sixteen hours a day, I did not

Stamford, where properties have

leave my desk,’’ said Staci Zampa

been on the market through several

of Compass. “I would joke to my

market cycles, saw homes gobbled

husband that I might as well put

up quickly. Realtors unaccustomed

a bed down here in the office. For

to using the full breadth of technology

three straight months, I was still

needed to adapt or die—within a

sitting at my desk at ten at night.”

Staci Zampa Compass

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SUDDEN SHIFT

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hrough the first six weeks of the new year, Realtors conducted business as usual. The housing market is generally slow in January and part of February as sellers evaluate the upcoming spring market and buyers wait for inventory to come to the spring market.

“The first two months were about preparing and positioning, just like any other year,’’ William Pitt’s Barbara Hickey said. “We had a nice active market. Then in February, the whole Covid conversation started and there was a little uneasiness.”

The uneasiness turned to flat-out concern within a matter of weeks. As the pandemic spread, buyers stayed away in droves. In the first few weeks of March, Realtors couldn’t find potential buyers with a microscope. “Everything just came to a halt,’’ said Randy Salvatore, CEO and president of RMS Companies. “The world got turned upside down.”

The real estate landscape “changed, and so did the way

The influx of people desperate to get out of New York City was unreal. There were stories of people buying homes sight unseen.

By April, we were so busy that we couldn’t come up for air.

People were motivated to get out of rentals and community living.

agents went about their business.

Personal contact—visiting homes, office appointments, in-person meetings—suddenly became obsolete. Agents needed to turn to technology to get buyers interested in purchasing properties.

In less than two weeks, buyers suddenly emerged. Many of them wanted to escape urban environments. Some wanted to downsize. With many companies turning to remote employment, Stamford became a hot market.

The shifting sands were unexpected, enduring and, at least in the way Realtors go about their business, permanent.

While March sales dipped in Stamford, compared to 2019, the torrent of activity was about to hit the market. Hard.

“The influx of people desperate to get out of New York City was unreal,’’ Hickey said. “There were stories of people buying homes sight unseen. By April, we were so busy that we couldn’t come up for air. People were motivated to get out of rentals and community living.”

BARBARA HICKEY, William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty

Through the first nine months of the year, sales of single-family homes increased by 21 percent compared to 2019.

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NEW RESIDENT ////

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ebbie Gunzelman had her next move figured out.

Or so she thought.

The Covid-19 pandemic forced many people to change their living plans, and Gunzelman was among them. She and her husband sold their home of thirty-plus years in Greenwich’s backcountry and relocated to Stamford. The couple had planned to move to Asheville, North Carolina, but thought twice about making such a large move in the midst of the pandemic.

“When Covid-19 started surging, we thought maybe this isn’t a good time to move to North Carolina,’’ Gunzelman said. “We put everything in storage and started to look in Stamford.”

Staci Zampa of Compass real estate assisted Gunzelman with the sale of her Greenwich home and in finding a home at Harbor Landing in Stamford. “One of the things I always wanted to do was live on the water,’’ Gunzelman said. “We fell in love with the amenities and the location. It was a great mix of people. It was like we were entering civilization again. In the Greenwich backcountry, you pull into your driveway and don’t see anyone.”

Gunzelman’s new home is a fourth-floor, two-bedroom rental unit with a wraparound balcony that is steps from the water. It has a fitness center and pool and is close to shopping and cultural amenities. “It was shocking to go to the pool and not have to test the water and scrub the tiles,’’ she said. “You walk out of your apartment and enjoy yourself. It’s like living on vacation.”

She is one of the many residents who relocated to Stamford in 2020. People came from all over, particularly New York state, to escape the ravages of the pandemic.

There were many different reasons for moving. Some wanted to pay less in property taxes. Some wanted more space. Others took advantage of the opportunity to work from home more frequently and head to their New York City office less often. For Gunzelman, it was a chance to downsize.

“It’s almost as if you live your life in thirds,’’ Gunzelman said. “First you worry about getting the house. Then you worry about getting a house that’s big enough for the kids.

Then the last third, you want something different. This gave us the flexibility to do something different. If we want to spend three months in Europe, we can do that. It was time to evolve and live a different lifestyle.”

Gunzelman looked in different parts of the state but had familiarity with Stamford after working at UConn-Stamford for twenty years. “I like the diversity of people here,’’ she said. “You have the opportunity to live among young, old and multicultural people. It provided the right mix. There were just so many choices here.”

Her Greenwich home was on the market for eight days and received six offers, all over asking. While relocating to North Carolina is still an option, Gunzelman said living in Stamford has made her rethink her priorities. “We love the summers here,’’ she said. “We had a wonderful time in late summer and fall. We took time to explore, appreciate and re-discover where we live. When you’re living in Greenwich, you don’t often think about Stamford and Norwalk and all it has to offer.”

DEMAND FOR SPACE

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here is a lag between when homes come on the market and when the process is officially closed. Obtaining a mortgage, property inspections and other housekeeping items usually require six to eight weeks to sort out.

That was reflected in the Stamford sales. Homeowners who had considered putting their homes on the market saw the flurry of activity and wanted in.

By June, the frenzy reached full fury, and transactions soared.

Sales continued at a rapid pace through the summer, and it was not until early fall when there finally seemed to be a letup in the relentless activity.

Buyers sought out Stamford for several reasons. Many buyers relocated from Manhattan and Brooklyn, eager to escape the congested city and the soaring cases of the Coronavirus.

Others moved from nearby Westchester County, such as

Rye, Scarsdale and Chappaqua, eager to reduce their tax burden.

Many new Stamford residents just wanted to downsize. Buyers from Greenwich and Weston are among those who saw an opportunity to unload bigger homes and vast acreage for smaller homes but still retain their privacy. Everyone and anyone, no matter the reason, sought refuge in Stamford.

For many new residents, the attraction in Stamford was space.

For the past few years, the buzz had been that people wanted homes closer to the center of the town action. That fell by the wayside as people suddenly coveted more space.

“People found that they could telecommute, shop locally and, in many cases, find homes with their own pool,’’ Cooper said. “It was a no-brainer. People found they could enjoy living in a large home where they could manage the two kids, the grandmother and the cat.”

People found that they could telecommute, shop locally and, in many cases, find homes with their own pool. It was a no-brainer.

VIKKTORIA COOPER, Coldwell Banker Realty MARCH/APRIL 2021 STAMFORD

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NORTH STAMFORD ////

TECH TALK ////

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ver the past few years, North Stamford residents who put their homes on the market waited for the right offer to come along. And waited, waited, waited and, finally, waited some more.

There were very few quick sales in North Stamford as the trend among buyers was for smaller property sizes close to urban settings with homes and yards that required minimal upkeep.

“There are some great opportunities for those who appreciate what North Stamford has to offer,” William Pitt Realtor Barbara Hickey told Stamford magazine when discussing the North Stamford real estate market late in 2019. In 2020, however, the real estate ship finally sailed in for North Stamford. Realtors couldn’t find homes fast enough in North Stamford, as transactions moved rapidly.

The Covid-19 pandemic quickly ushered in a desire for space, exclusivity and swimming pools.

“North Stamford was the perfect storm,’’ said Staci Zampa of Compass real estate. “We were watching what was happening in Ridgefield, Wilton and other communities, and we knew it would trickle down to North Stamford—and it did. You’ve got location and acreage. A lot of the homes were old and needed facelifts. But, at the same time, you had great price points, low taxes compared to Westchester towns and a great commute.”

How did the pandemic spur the turnaround? First, homeowners wanted space to maintain distance and steer clear of the virus. It was hard to maintain social-distance protocols in urban locations. “Not everyone in their former communities was adhering to the strictest socialdistancing guidelines,’’ Hickey said. “People didn’t want to be so close to other people anymore.”

Remote work also changed the real estate landscape.

Many people with jobs in New York City were told they could not report to their offices. Businesses quickly discovered that work could be done remotely, and their employees quickly adapted.

“People didn’t want to commute every day and spend their weekends mowing the lawn and weeding the flower bed,’’ Hickey said. “But now that they’re working from home, all that time that they spent commuting leaves more time for other things. The game has changed.

Businesses are finding that employees are very efficient working from home, and they can save a lot of money on rent by downsizing their offices.”

Statistics help tell the North Stamford story. In July of 2019, eighteen homes sold in North Stamford. This year, that number doubled. The surge continued through summer and early fall. In October, forty-one sales were reported in North Stamford. In 2019, just twelve were recorded that month.

The pendulum moved so quickly in the other direction that by the end of the year inventory in Stamford, and particularly North Stamford, was alarmingly low. Hickey said buyers who purchased homes in North Stamford in 2020 have already seen significant value appreciation.

The shift was stunning, unforeseen and another chapter of the oddities that seemed to mark all of 2020. “It was a roller coaster the likes of which I don’t remember, and I’ve been doing this for a bit now,’’ Hickey said. “It was something you couldn’t predict.”

arbara Hickey’s career in real estate began in 1982, so she has had to adapt frequently to the changes in technology and the way transactions come together. Nothing, however, could have prepared her for 2020. Hickey, a William Pitt real estate agent who started out in the mortgage side of the business, has been selling almost exclusively in Stamford since 2002. When the pandemicinduced market frenzy reached a fever pitch in April, she and other real estate agents had to quickly re-invent the way that they marketed and sold properties. It was like taking a collegiate crash course in real estate marketing—and the window for learning was uncomfortably tight.

“The technology was a little frustrating at times, but it’s good to learn new stuff,’’ Hickey said. “Wearing gloves while we were working was initially difficult to get used to. I’m doing a lot more telephone conversations than in-person conversations. There are a lot fewer office meetings. I do miss hopping in the car and going to look at properties.”

Agents are not averse to technology. Heaven knows that just in the past two decades, platforms have dramatically altered the way they went about their business. But this time was different. There was no extended learning curve. Agents had to figure out how to launch Zoom meetings, maintain personal protective gear, navigate technology issues in their homes and keep up with the fast-paced market.

“We had to pivot quickly,’’ said Vikktoria Cooper of Coldwell Banker Realty. “We had home-schooling. Change became as essential as air. We grew five arms out of bodies, because we had to.”

Cooper’s mantra became: “Pack your patience.” She rearranged her home on the fly to build office space. While most agents were familiar with Facebook, other social media platforms also became invaluable.

Livestreaming, Instagram and even TikTok (yes, even TikTok) became marketing vehicles.

“The Realtor that did not embrace technology in that first week and a half or so didn’t do well,’’ Cooper said. “We were important spokes in the economic engine. We became essential workers so that people could find new homes.”

It wasn’t just technology. Staci Zampa of Compass made bags with complete personal protective items such as gloves, booties and masks.

Hand sanitizers suddenly became essential.

“Real estate agents are problem solvers,’’ Zampa said. “It seemed like every single thing that could have gone wrong did go wrong. We were checking people in electronically and doing video walkthroughs and Zoom calls to try to keep people on top of what was happening.”

Randy Salvatore, CEO and president of RMS Companies, faced dilemmas with rental units. Shortly after the pandemic hit, his team photographed and took videos of the units. If any needed service, maintenance workers had to be certain residents were not home when they made repairs.

“Everyone had to adapt,’’ Salvatore said. “We had to close down all of our amenities, which was a very hard thing to do. We leveraged our hotel expertise to help keep our buildings safe. We were disciplined about sterilizing common areas. It was like a fire drill, but we were working in real time. We had to service our residents in some fashion, but also remain safe.”

The upside is that the changes the real estate agents needed to make are done, for now, and will likely remain in place for the long haul. While temporarily challenging, the hard work is done.

“A lot of people have become more comfortable with our new normal,’’ Hickey said. “There have been some changes that are going to be born of necessity that some of us would never have planned otherwise. But there’s also going to be a lot of good changes to come out of this, not only for real estate. So many more people are working from home and won’t be traveling for business. That’s a good thing. It will give them more time to spend with their families.”

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STRAIN ON SERVICES?

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he question, of course, is Stamford prepared for the strain that the influx of residents could foist on community services? That’s open to debate and may not be answered in 2021 or even 2022.

The first evidence of issues surfaced with the real estate agents. Because Stamford Town Center was frequently closed, there was frequently a delay in processing transactions. Movers became hard to come by, too.

Stamford schools also have had issues with infrastructure.

Can they accommodate more students? There are a lot of unanswered questions about how the real estate surge in 2020 will impact Stamford going forward.

“I think the city can absorb it,’’ Salvatore said. “The density will go where the zoning permits it. Buildings are going up

I think the city can absorb it. The density will go where the zoning permits it.

Buildings are going up where the town can handle the infrastructure.

In the long run, it makes for a more vibrant city when you have a critical mass.

where the town can handle the infrastructure. In the long run, it makes for a more vibrant city when you have a critical mass.”

At the outset of 2020, no one could have foreseen how the Stamford real estate landscape would play out. That makes predicting 2021 even more perilous. Will sales continue to surge? Will the vaccine for the virus ease the worry of citydwellers? It is anyone’s guess how Stamford real estate will play out in 2021. It is highly unlikely it will be able to match the activity generated in 2020.

“I think it’s going to stay steady,’’ Salvatore said. “It’s going to be slow in some areas, and people are going to retreat a little bit. It’s just a matter of getting through some of those tough periods. I’m optimistic, but I think it’s going to be rough for a few months.”

RANDY SALVATORE, CEO and president of RMS Companies

In June, 163 single-family homes sold in Stamford, an increase of more than 30 percent from 2019.

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A F T E R A Y E A R O F SO C I A L D I STA N C I N G , H O M EOW N E R S A R E E M BA R K I N G O N STAYCAT I O N S I N T H E I R OW N BAC KYA R D S , W H E R E T H E Y ’ R E F R E E TO E N T E RTA I N SA F E LY A N D R EC O N N ECT W I T H N AT U R E

ALEGRA ANDERSON

BY TOM CONNOR

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In Greenwich, James Doyle created a comfortable outdoor entertaining and dining space, complete with a reflecting pool.

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THIS SPRING, THE “GREAT OUTDOORS” PROMISES TO BE EVEN GREATER—OR AT LEAST MORE WIDELY USED AND ENJOYED—THAN PERHAPS AT ANY OTHER TIME IN MORE THAN A CENTURY. Thanks to a wealth of landscape design talent in our area, we’re able to shelter not only in place, but also in great comfort, safety and style. A number of the top architects, landscape architects and contractors in the county have created outdoor rooms for a range of functions in much the same way interior designers lay out indoor spaces. And in reconsidering the very idea of residential property, they’re expanding the outdoor living season from earliest spring to latest fall.

The coronavirus pandemic has had at least one positive effect. “Home has become a refuge for many people,” says Ryan Raveis, copresident of William Raveis Inc. “In essence, they’re investing in their homes, and they’re enjoying life more in the place where they live.”

Investment in property has helped fuel the hottest residential real estate market in decades, raising the average selling price by 20 percent. Real estate agencies in the county report as much as a 100 percent increase in business from this time last year.

“Part of the story has got to be New York buyers coming to Connecticut,” notes Paul Breunich, president and CEO of William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty, headquartered in Stamford. “They’re looking for more land, for lower density of population, for security. They’re flooding the market and demand is far exceeding supply.”

Yet even homeowners already settled in Fairfield County are trading out, if not up, for more space and more opportunities to live out of doors for as long as possible.

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n Rowayton, a couple with young children hired RAC Architecture + Design to design a new shingle-style contemporary in the beach association area that would take advantage of the property’s natural resources and the neighborhood’s active lifestyle.

“The clients really embraced the idea of entertaining outside,” says David LaPierre, a partner in the Westport firm. “They’re into the home as a sanctuary—they wanted to keep their kids close to them and have kids from the neighborhood come over and play.”

The 6,200-square-foot house is all about the outdoors.

At the back, an open porch with ample seating is warmed yearround by a fireplace and Infratech electric heaters embedded in the ceiling. Large sections of glass

a pool, hot tub, firepit and a full outdoor kitchen with grill, refrigerator, ice machine, sink and stainless-steel storage cabinets.

The owners of a modern Tudor mansion in the Belle Haven section of Greenwich called James Doyle Design Associates to

in the interior dining room slide into pockets in the walls, and tall glass panels in the adjacent family room fold back, opening the interior to the exterior. There, steps from the house, are enough amenities to keep kids at home and guests angling for invitations:

create a series of exterior rooms for dining and entertaining. The property falls away dramatically from the back of the house, leaving relatively little useable space, but that didn’t limit the landscape architect.

“You don’t need huge spaces to have well-designed, wellfurnished, intimate outdoor spaces,” James Doyle explains.

After leveling the land with tiered steps, he created a long, narrow patio that’s still roomy enough for a dinner table, two seating areas, a reflecting pool with feeder stream and a firepit carved out of a single piece of bluestone.

An outdoor living room in Rowayton with fireplace designed by RAC Architecture + Design is made for yearround comfort and entertaining.

THIS PAGE: WOODRUFF BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY; OPPOSITE PAGE: ALEGRA ANDERSON

EXTERIOR DESIGN

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GRILLING ALFRESCO

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rilling has evolved since our ancestors first threw a mastodon steak on the firepit some 800,000 years ago (give or take a few hundred thousand). Since then, the “kitchen” has moved from the home cave to the great outdoors.

“Outdoor kitchens have always been popular,” says Dave Marsillio Sr. at Marsillios Appliances in Fairfield, “but now, with families being home much more due to Covid-19, they are looking to utilize more of their property.” Cooking outside can range from a basic grill or firepit to a covered patio, tiki bar or pool cabana. In these areas, customers are focusing on better equipment and higher-end units, just as they have inside the house.” (Last year, the company installed over 30 high-end units.)

Outdoor kitchens have also been steadily moving away from the house, notably to pool houses and cabanas. There, they’re likely to be accessorized with fireplaces or firepits, and embedded lighting and electric heating elements in the ceilings and supporting beams. A popular

request for these structures this spring, according to contractors, is outdoor pizza ovens.

“Architecturally and aesthetically, the pizza oven has become a focal point of outdoor living,” says Kevin Ambrosio of Ambrosio Landscape Solutions.

“Restaurants have been installing brick pizza ovens and people want to recreate that at home.

They’re also a reason for having friends over. Every week I’m meeting with someone who wants one.”

In Redding, he designed a cabana with pizza oven over a massive stone fireplace­—a destination and dining experience that draw family members as well as guests without ever leaving home.

High-end outdoor kitchens­— from brands like Viking, Lynx and Dynamic Cooking Systems—can run from $5,000 to $25,000 and above when adding stonework and what today are almost standard features: grills with smokers, heating trays and side burners; refrigerators, ice-makers and sinks; heaters and night lighting.

Outdoor pizza ovens like this one designed by Ambrosio Landscape Solutions are in higher demand than ever.

HOME IS WHERE THE HEARTH IS

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Firepits of all shapes and sizes, like this one designed by Robert Cardello, are a hit for those looking for some drama (and heat) in their outdoor spaces.

CONTRIBUTED

eat in any form can extend the outdoor living season by a month or more on either side of summer.

Given the chill of a winter of uncertainty and anxiety, warmth of any kind is welcome this spring.

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BACK TO THE GARDEN

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GARDEN BY NEIL LANDINO; FIREPIT BY DANIEL MILSTEIN PHOTOGRAPHY

little over a century ago, in the wake of World War I and in the midst of the Spanish flu, Americans planted war or victory Gardens for self-sufficiency but also out of patriotic duty.

This season, landscape architects and professional gardeners report a resurgence of interest in suburban gardening and in simply getting back to nature.

The benefits can be bountiful.

“Spending time outdoors is a great way to take off stress,” says James Doyle of James Doyle Design Associates in Greenwich.

“It’s nice for people to have their phones turned off and just relax.”

Homeowners in Fairfield County are asking for pollinator plantings and pathways that attract butterflies, bees and songbirds as well as provide meditative spaces. They’re also interested in spending less time in the produce section of supermarkets and more time outside.

Outdoor fireplaces are bringing the warmth of the indoors to backyards, often in dramatic fashion. Overlooking Candlewood Lake in Danbury, Kevin Ambrosio of Ambrosio Landscape Solutions designed a spacious exterior family room—complete with grill, refrigerator, wide-screen television and comfortable seating—around a brick and stone fireplace, all set in a high stonewall with upper trellis.

But firepits may be the hotter items on the backyard wish-list this season, and for a number of reasons: They’re relatively inexpensive; they can be sited anywhere on a property; with a few seats drawn up around them, they become instant and welcoming

James Doyle Design Associates often creates gardens like this one for clients looking to relax and de-stress.

“The benefits go beyond the taste of the vegetables you grow,” notes John Carlson of Homefront Farmers in Wilton. The company designs, builds and maintains organic vegetable gardens in Connecticut and New York. “It’s about the satisfaction of the experience.”

The first step in planning a vegetable garden is determining

where on your property crops have the best chances of growing.

“When you create a new garden you want to start with a lawn area or field in full sun,” says Jack Disbrow a formal gardener in Wilton who makes and maintains residential gardens. “You’ll need at least six hours, but since Connecticut tends to be damp and damp means mold, the more sun

gathering spots; and they extend outdoor living for all but the bitterest winter days and nights.

Back in Rowayton, a 16-foot-long firepit across from the swimming pool’s transparent outer wall illuminates and warms the lineup of low, soft seating between it and the pool.

In Darien, a heated bluestone path leads from the back of a 6,000-square-foot house to an outdoor spa so that family members and guests can walk barefoot even in winter. Beyond the spa is a large, circular, stonewalled room with firepit that is used year-round by a family that spends the coldest months playing hockey on a pond at the

bottom of the property.

Molly O’Brien Watkins in the Darien office of William Pitt Sotheby International listed the property for a family that had the house built for outdoor entertaining. Polly Hickox of William Raveis Real Estate in Darien sold it to a New York family looking for…a yard.

Custom-designed firepits, including masonry work, can cost $4,000 for wood-burning units and as much as $6,500 for gas-burning.

Outdoor fireplaces cost considerably more, from $15,000,

by Ambrosio’s estimate, to $25,000.

the better.”

From there, it’s a matter of homeowners learning about their soil, when to plant which vegetables, and how best to feed, mulch and weed. Or, as with most other aspects of creating outdoor spaces, experts like John Carlson or Jack Disbrow are available to do the spadework, leaving us to harvest the fruits of their labor.

Molly O'Brien Watkins in the Darien real estate office of William Pitt Sotheby says that homes with outdoor entertaining spaces have major sales appeal,.

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Austin Ganim Landscape Design in Fairfield created a border wall and bed of perennials and annuals that bloom throughout the season to add interest around the pool and spa.

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he hottest commodities this season are swimming pools and spas. Both are typically in demand this time of year, contractors say, but what has changed this spring is the number of people demanding them.

“We’re usually booked two to four months in advance, but as of the end of last September we are booked out a year, and that has never ever happened before in the pool industry,” says Tim Meehan at Meehan & Ramos Pools in Stratford.

“And that’s happening because four walls are four walls, no matter if they’re in a 10,000-square-foot house or 2,000-square-foot house. People have to get outside and there’s no greater outside experience than a swimming pool.”

Cool pool and spa features this

season include seamless edges, automatic covers, smart lighting and remote controls, outbuildings like pool houses and pergolas, and small dipping pools—“cocktail pools” or “spools,” as they’re being called.

On the Rowayton Beach Association site, the rear of the property slopes precipitously down to the beach. To provide useable family space, LaPierre and firm founder Robert Cardello created two flat tiers for entertaining, exercising and relaxing. On the lower level, the pool’s outer wall is laminated glass, visually expanding the enclosure while allowing swimmers both to be seen and to see the waters of Long Island Sound in the distance.

Hardscapes such as swimming

pools are softened by landscaping that can also provide privacy, shade, color and beauty.

For a Meehan & Ramos pool and built-in spa in Westport, Eva Chiamulera, the senior landscape architect at Austin Ganim Landscape Design in Fairfield, designed a border wall and bed of perennials and annuals that blossom and bloom throughout the extended season. The natural backdrop Emerald Green arborvitae provides privacy and a sense of safe-distancing, as does the pool house far from the main house and other outdoor rooms.

No matter where or how it flows, water also softens suburban property and draws family members and friends.

“In these troubled times, water is a very calming and soothing

element in the landscape,” says James Doyle. Pools and spas, he adds, “are a great way to get teenagers to come home because that’s where they’re going to hang.”

Water runs through much of the firm’s work. For a modern house in the Belle Haven section of Greenwich, a spine of black zone carries a narrow stream from the front courtyard, through the house, out a spout at rear and into a trough running alongside the pool.

A high-end pool—when it can be installed, that is—can run anywhere from $100,000 to more than $500,000 depending on site-work, size, materials and features. These days, however, the benefits seem to outweigh the cost. What’s more, given the high demand, any expenditures are likely to be recouped when the house sells.

CONTRIBUTED

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE

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HOME COURT ADVANTAGE

TOP PHOTO BY ALLEGRA ANDERSON; CONTRIBUTED

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ith team sports and youth recreation schedules scaled back for the spring season, Fairfield County residents are hiring landscape architects and contractors to create playing fields and a range of semi-professional-looking courts, rinks and cages.

“Sport courts are really popular right now,” Kevin Ambrosio says. “Parents want to give their kids the opportunity to succeed in sports. They’re gathering friends and hiring coaches to come to their house, so they need a basketball court or a hockey rink or a batting cage.” (To give themselves the opportunity to succeed in golf meanwhile, parents are opting for chipping and putting greens.)

Often, these spaces require a fair amount of perfectly flat ground, which in turn requires substantial clearing and grading. In Westport, Ambrosio’s crew installed a batting cage 12 feet high, 14 feet wide and 60 feet long, floored with AstroTurf and completely enclosed in strong netting. In Greenwich, they constructed a half-sized basketball court with the Michael Jordan logo and two layers of coated asphalt.

Batting cages at this level can cost upwards of $20,000, high-end basketball courts from $20,000 to $60,000. Ambrosio’s company designs, builds, gets necessary permits and maintains projects for clients.

Yet for plain, old-fashioned child’s play— aimlessly kicking a ball, flying a kite, hitting something with a stick, lying on a blanket looking at the clouds­—leveled sections of a yard frequently suffice.

“The big, open lawn is a request we’re seeing more and more of because people want flat play spaces for their children,” says James Doyle. For the Greenwich home with dramatically sloping backyard, his firm graded and seeded a large expanse of the property.

Three sets of handsome stone steps, softened in between by banks of wild grasses, serve as a natural-looking transition from the upper terraces to tennis courts below.

The cumulative effect of all these elements and features is to extend the seasons well beyond the time to come inside for the winter.

With heated porches and paths, remotecontrol spas, and fireplaces and firepits, we may not need to go indoors again until the swimming pool freezes over—and maybe not even then.

above: James Doyle says he has received more requests for large, open lawn spaces to allow for more play space for clients' children. below: Ambrosio installed this completely enclosed batting cage in Westport.

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BOTTEGA VENETA

HOBBS

Trench coat; $3,850. bottegaveneta.com

Saskia trench coat; $400.

Greenwich; hobbs.com

PRO TIP your closet portant pieces in im t os m e th of e agnitude of “A great coat is on great, or hide a m to od go m fro ok lo g). This and can take any kids or walk the do op dr to ’s pj ur yo t in mbined with sins (slipping ou the classics—co in ed ot ro e ar s d plaids. Calf season’s trenche e leather trims an lik ils ta de d an ner favorite. oversized shapes i colors are a desig ak kh l na tio di tra d yday basics lengths prevail an elevate your ever to t en em el g in ish ed too hard.”

It’s the perfect fin looking like you tri t ou th wi l al — er th and pull it all toge ILDBYJANEL.COM –JANEL ALEXAN

FRAME

DER, PERSONAL

MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION

STYLIST, BU

Astor jacket; $528. Greenwich, frame-store.com

1. ALTUZARRA

Ambretta cotton-blend trench coat; $2,295. altuzarra.com

TOP SPOTS Shop outerwear at some of our local favorites: Aritzia, Greenwich Club Monaco, Greenwich Darien Sport Shop, Darien Mitchells, Westport Ralph Lauren, New Canaan Richards, Greenwich Theory, Greenwich & Westport

2. ACNE STUDIOS

Chino cape-back cotton-blend trench coat; $800. acnestudios.com

3. BURBERRY 1

2

3

Stripe detail cotton gabardine trench coat; $2,750. us.burberry.com

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IRO

Limest belted paperbag leather pants; $1,355. intermixonline.com

MOUSSY

SPLENDID

Maywood tapered jean; $350. West, Westport; west2westport.com

Camo Ryland paperbag pant; $178.

Westport; splendid.com

AVEC LES FILLES

Dover utility pants; $148. anthropologie.com

DESTINATION: DENIM Every jean queen should be in-the-know

Sorry, skinny jeans. We’re swapping out snug styles for relaxed fits with utility details, paperbag-waists and lived-in washes.

PERFECT FIT A variety of lengths, rises and extended and petite sizes are available at: 7 For All Mankind, Westport FRAME, Greenwich Veronica Beard, Greenwich

PRO TIP

WELL-STOCKED e chy khakis are th “I would say slou are ey Th .

21 20 g r sprin biggest trend fo at e loungewear th a step up from th ther he W .

20 20 of most people wore for or o, high-waisted drawstring, carg to dress ay w t ec rf pe the oversized, they’re al world.” ng back to the re while transitioni T, RSONAL STYLIS –AMY GUZZI, PE EFFECT.COM THESTYLISTgreenwichmag.com

Discover your new favorite pair at: “B” Chic, Wilton Havana Jeans, Stamford Penfield Collective, Fairfield

TRADE UP Madewell and Rag & Bone offer discounts on new denim purchases when you bring in any older pair to donate (any brand).

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS; GUZZI BY JULIA D’AGASTINO

ALEX MILL

Expedition beltedwashed slim leg pants: $125. alexmill.com

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BOTTOM LINES

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

Floral high-waisted pants; $1,390. oscardelarenta.com

7 FOR ALL MANKIND

Trapunto belted wide-leg pant; $248. Westport; 7forallmankind.com

CAROLINA HERRERA

Silk Georgette wide-leg pants; $1,990.

Mitchells, Westport; mitchellstores.com

VINCE

High-waist casual pant; $295. Greenwich, Westport; vince.com

When the occasion calls from something dressier, opt for trousers in super wide cuts. The silhouette elevates any look, whether you’re opting for subtle solids or hoping to stand out with statement-making prints.

STINE GOYA

Chet showpiece pants; $620. us.stinegoya.com

DIOR

Walk’N’Dior sneakers; $990. dior.com

SNEAK PEEK You can keep it casual but still look polished by sporting some smart sneakers.

There’s truly a style for everyone, from options in neutral canvas and leather to bolder choices with pops of color and floral prints.

SUPERGA

The jute platform sneaker; $85. Shoes ‘N’ More, Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Westport; shoesnmore.com

HENRY’S

Women’s Lewis lace up; $285.

Greenwich; henrysleather.com

TRETORN

Callie sneaker; $95. The Perfect Provenance Greenwich; theperfect provenance.com

CHLOÉ

Franckie smooth calfskin sneaker; $525. Richards, Greenwich; mitchellstores.com

J.CREW

Saturday sneakers with Liberty® print detail; $118. Greenwich, New Canaan, Westport; jcrew.com

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ILA

Rose cut oval pendant; $1,640.

Henry C. Reid, Fairfield; hcreidjewelers.com

1

2

1. JL ROCKS

Droplet necklace; $450. Westport; jlrocks.com

2. MONICA RICH KOSANN

LOEWE

Sun, moon & stars charm necklace; $3,900.

Betteridge, Greenwich; betteridge.com

Flared stripedpoplin shirt; $1,150. matches fashion.com

BALLY

3. GUCCI

Ouroboros 70 cm snake pendant; $1,450. Manfredi Jewels, Greenwich, New Canaan; manfredijewels.com

3

1. COS

Silk oversized shirt; $135.

Greenwich; cosstores.com

2. JOIE

3. ZARA

Naro Shirt; $138.

Greenwich; joie.com

Oversized shirt; $39.90.

Greenwich; zara.com

4. CITIZENS OF HUMANITY

Kayla shirt; $288. Darien Sport Shop; dariensport.com

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

The best way to accessorize your perfectly imperfect oversized button-down? Strings of delicate necklaces, of course. Mix metals, add varying lengths, and don’t be shy about showing a little sparkle.

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1

3

4

1. SHONA JOY

Chloe chevron balloon midi dress; $360. shonajoy.com

2. MAJE

Botanical print dress; $445.

Nordstrom, The SoNo Collection; nordstrom.com

3.BROCK COLLECTION

Salvina floral midi dress; $1,875. Barneys at Saks, Greenwich; saks.com

4. ULLA JOHNSON

Selea puff sleeve midi dress; $395. ullajohnson.com

ALESSANDRA RICH

SLIDE & CHIC

Slip your feet into something fabulous ROAM

TIBI

The puffy sandal in sky blue; $137.

Fred, Old Greenwich; thefredshop.com

Beryen sandal; $265. tibi.com

ANDREW MITCHELL BY THOMAS MCGOVERN

PRO TIP look the easiest way to “Day dresses are a s it’ r he et ring—wh super chic this sp ing nn ru r fo rs with sneake cotton sundress for ps m pu th wi shirtdress isp cr a or s nd ra er d done’ e perfect ‘one an the office—it’s th ial.” wardrobe essent

No 21

Chunky chainembellished slide sandals; $840. numeroventuno.com

R, CO-OWNER, CHELL-NAMDA –ANDREW MIT DS AR CH RI , MITCHELLS

AQUATALIA

Ivie sandal; $295. aquatalia.com

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TOD’S

GUERLAIN

Météorites Highlighting Powder Pearls; $64.

Sephora, Greenwich; sephora.com

SLEEPER

Atlanta balloon sleeve linen dress; $320. modaoperandi.com

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

Zefira colorblock sandals; $895. christianlouboutin.com

PA S T E L P E R F E CT

RAY BAN

RB3138; $154. Sunglass Hut, Stamford Town Center; sunglasshut.com

JIL SANDER

Double-breasted leather coat with belt bag; $8,590. jilsander.com

“The chicest way to wear pa stel clothing is to add black and white accessories to the outfit—th ink powder blue b louse and trou sers + white booties + black hoop earrings.

The contrast between soft co lor and the two extrem es of no color cr eate both balance and tension fo r the ultimate cool -girl look.”

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

PRO TIP

MICHAEL STARS

Shorty cropped cardigan; $168. michaelstars.com

–MARIA TU stamfordmag.com

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Sprinkle some soft-palette pieces into your wardrobe rotation. Shades of mint green, cotton candy pink, sky blue, sunny yellow and freshly-picked lavender will take you all the way from the start of spring through the end of summer.

ZIMMERMANN

The lovestruck peplum bodice; $595. zimmermannwear.com

VERONICA BEARD

Ginta sateen-twill pant; $425. Greenwich; veronicabeard.com

STUART WEITZMAN

The Marguerita wedge; $295. Greenwich; stuartweitzman.com

TORY BURCH

Tory Sneaker, $228.

Greenwich; toryburch.com

PROENZA SCHOULER

CARRY ON

CULT GAIA

Roksana large tote; $488. cultgaia.com

The latest arm candy to coordinate with your sorbet finds

GUCCI

BOTTEGA VENETA

Horsebit 1955 mini top handle bag; $1,980. gucci.com

The shell small bag; $2,450. bottegaveneta.com

MANSUR GAVRIEL

Mini pleated bucket bag; $695. mansurgavriel.com

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Can you imagine climbing 200 flights of stairs every day to get to school?

In the rural community of Marre à Coiffe, Haiti, students and families climb the equivalent of 200 flights of stairs from the bottom of the mountain to access clean water, healthcare, and an education. This April, we’re challenging YOU to virtually hike Marre à Coiffe in solidarity while raising funds to support education and public health initiatives across Hope for Haiti's 24 partner communities.

REGISTER NOW: WWW.GIVE.HOPEFORHAITI.COM/HIKE Stamford Mag AD 2021.qxp_Layout 1 1/21/21 2:35 PM Page 1

a NOVEL affair

MAJOR SPONSORS TO DATE

OUR 10TH YEAR

Thursday, April 15 at 7 pm

a virtual event to benefit

The Ferguson Library

MORRISON Friends of The Ferguson Library SL Green Realty Corp LAHIRI Jack Alexander Melvina Callion

Honoring Tom Cassone for his longstanding service to the Library and the Stamford community.

First County Bank BALDWIN Judith Block

The event is free.

Register at fergusonlibrary.org.

Ellen Bromley & Thomas Gizicki

Sponsorships available by calling 203 351-8208.

Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey

Jane Carlin & Benjamin Gifford Garden Homes Management Stamford Health

#anovelaffair2021

stamfordmag.com

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advertisers index ART & ANTIQUES Drew Klotz Kinetic Sculpture............. 31 BUILDING & HOME IMPROVEMENT California Closets................................. 11 Smallbone Kitchens................ Cover 2, 1 BUSINESS & FINANCE Broder & Orland, LLC ......................... 38 Castle Connolly................................... 45 Cummings & LockwoodStamford......................................... 31 Davidson, Dawson, & Clark, LLP.......... 8 Pullman & Comley...............................41 Stockman O’Connor Connors PLLC................................. 47

Alzheimer’s Association of CT Celebrating Hope............................ 12 Best of the Gold Coast 2021................15 Boys & Girls Club of Stamford International Women’s Day............29 Ferguson Library, A Novel Affair.........70 Hope for Haiti ..................................... 70 Planned Parenthood of Southern New England Spring Luncheon.......71

NONPROFIT Domestic Violence Crisis Center.......33 REAL ESTATE Barbara Hickey, William Pitt Sotheby's.............Cover 3 MISCELLANEOUS Westy Self Storage.............................. 33

FOOD, CATERING & LODGING Mackenzie's Bar & Grill......................... 6 Marcia Selden Catering........................ 9 Table 104 Osteria Bar............................ 5 Taco Daddy............................................ 3 Winvian.................................................19

WHAT'S NEXT

EDUCATION Brown University................................. 37 Columbia University........................... 37

HEALTH & BEAUTY Epoch Senior Living Inc......................29 Hospital for Special Surgery................ 7 LCB Senior Living, LLC........................17

THE GOOD LIFE: FAIRFIELD COUNTY

EVENTS A-List Awards...................................... 26

JEWELRY Lux Bond & Green......................... Cover 4

AD RESERVATION CLOSE: APRIL 2

MAY/JUNE ISSUE

Virtual Spring Luncheon Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. featured speaker

Glennon Doyle Author of The New York Times best-selling books Untamed and Love Warrior!

Acclaimed writer, activist, and thought leader.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Visit ppsne.org/Luncheon

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postscript

MAR/APR 2021 / DONNA MOFFLY

OF DREAMS & HOUSES

O

ur annual real estate issue always reminds me of houses, of course, especially now with all those refugees from New York hustling northeast to our countryside. Growing up in an apartment, I dreamed of living in a house like my friends did. My father promised we would when the war was over. So in 1945 when we threw open the windows facing Shaker Boulevard and banged on pots and pans to celebrate victory, all I could think about was my house. But it was not to be until I was married. That’s why I’m still smitten with Joyce Kilmer’s vintage poem “The House with Nobody in It”. I wanted to live in that house and make it happy.

Whenever I walk to Suffern along the Erie track I go by a poor old farmhouse with its shingles broken and black.

I suppose I’ve passed it a hundred times, but I always stop for a minute And look at the house, the tragic house, the house with nobody in it.

I never have seen a haunted house, but I hear there are such things; That they hold the talk of spirits, their mirth and sorrowings.

I know this house isn’t haunted, and I wish it were, I do; For it wouldn’t be so lonely if it had a ghost or two.

This house on the road to Suffern needs a dozen panes of glass, And somebody ought to weed the walk and take a scythe to the grass.

It needs new paint and shingles, and the vines should be trimmed and tied; But what it needs the most of all is some people living inside.

Now, a new house standing empty, with staring window and door, Looks idle, perhaps, and foolish, like a hat on its block in the store.

But there’s nothing mournful about it; it cannot be sad and lone For the lack of something within it that it has never known.

But a house that has done what a house should do, a house that has sheltered life, That has put its loving wooden arms around a man and his wife, A house that has echoed a baby’s laugh and held up his stumbling feet, Is the saddest sight when it’s left alone, that ever your eyes could meet.

So whenever I go to Suffern along the Erie traces I never go by the empty house without stopping and looking back, Yet it hurts me to look at the crumbling roof and the shutters fallen apart, For I can’t help thinking the poor old house is a house with a broken heart.

Alfred Joyce Kilmer was born in 1886 in Brunswick, New Jersey, son of the doctor who invented Johnson’s baby powder. He married, had five children and became a prolific poet, the much parodied poem “Trees” adding to his immense popularity. But his fame would be short lived. During World War I, Sgt. Kilmer was felled by a sniper’s bullet during the second Battle of the Marne in France, where he was buried and posthumously awarded the Croix de Guerre. He was thirty-one years old.

VENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY, GREENWICH, CT

“I wanted to live in that house and make it happy.”

If I had a lot of money and all my debts were paid I’d put a gang of men to work with brush and saw and spade.

I’d buy that place and fix it up the way it used to be And I’d find some people who wanted a home and give it to them free.

stamfordmag.com

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PRESENTING WALNUT RIDGE COURT A 10-lot new home subdivision in a most convenient mid-city Stamford location...

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Stamford Brokerage | 3 Roxbury Road

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Every Box

has a story

in-store • by appointment • curbside • online

LUX BOND & GREEN JEWELERS SINCE 1898

136 MAIN STREET WESTPORT 203.227.1300 GLASTONBURY MOHEGAN SUN WEST HARTFORD WELLESLEY LBGreen.com

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800.524.7336

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