Attorney Profiles
Paralegal Profiles
MICHAEL J. ROSE
Managing Partner
Rose Kallor, LLP
750 Main Street, Suite 606
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 748-4660
(860) 241-1547
Website: www.rosekallor.com
E-Mail: mrose@rosekallor.com
MICHAEL J. ROSE is widely recognized as one of Connecticut’s leading employment litigators in his representation of governments, government officials, and small business. He has tried over twenty cases to verdict in the areas of employment law and civil rights. In 2007, at the age of 41, he was named to a list of preeminent attorneys within the state of Connecticut. Later in 2007, he was listed among the top lawyers in New England.
In addition to representing employers in federal and state courts, Mr. Rose provides representation before numerous government agencies, including the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, state and federal Departments of Labor and the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission.
Mr. Rose is regarded as a creative litigator with a sound knowledge of the statutory and the public policy goals beyond today’s employment laws. He has crafted unique approaches and defense strategies, such as interlocutory appeals, removal, affirmative use of res judicata and pre-emption, and constitutional and jurisdictional changes to court proceedings. His defense philosophy is shaped by the recognition that while our nation’s laws have the best of intentions, they can often be misused by problem employees and their creative counsel. In 2003, Mr. Rose was successful in having a federal judge declare a federal department of labor regulation under the American’s with Disabilities Act as unconstitutional.
Attorney Rose graduated, cum laude, from the University of New Hampshire in 1989, and from Franklin Pierce Law Center in 1994. He was a member of the Mortar Board Honor Society, Pi Gamma Mu, co-author of “ADR in Patent Dispute Resolution,” Vol. 32 Idea No. 4, 1992 and a Legislative Assistant Representative to Richard Swett, U.S. House of Representatives, 1991-1994.
Attorney Rose is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as all courts within the state of Connecticut.
Attorney Rose is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association and the American Bar Association and the Defense Research Institute.
A list of cases successfully defended by Attorney Rose is included below:
- Milardo v. City of Middletown, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 93070 (D.Conn. 2007) (successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of former mayor on plaintiff’s “class of one” equal protection and First Amendment retaliation claims)
- Sebold v. City of Middletown, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 70081 (D.Conn. 2007) (successfully obtained partial summary judgment on behalf of City and former mayor on plaintiff’s federal and state claims that she was constructively discharged and suffered other harms because he former supervisor discriminated against and harassed her because of her age and gender and retaliated against her for protected activity, including free speech)
- Vollemans v. Town of Wallingford, 2007 Conn. Super. LEXIS 1645, reconsideration denied, 2007 Conn. Super. LEXIS 1785 (successfully defended Town in bench trial against former employee’s claim of promissory estoppel; judge rendered verdict for defendant based on Fennell Doctrine and held that the proprietary capacity exception to governmental immunity does not apply to a claim for promissory estoppel)
- Flaherty v. Borough of Naugatuck, 2007 Conn. Super. LEXIS 2635 (successfully defended Borough in bench trial against retired Fire Chief’s claims of breach of contract, detrimental reliance and unjust enrichment; judge rendered verdict for defendant based on Fennell Doctrine and because he failed to prove his case by a preponderance of the evidence)
- Martin v. Town of Westport, 2007 Conn. Super. LEXIS 158 (successfully obtained summary judgment in favor of Town on former employee’s claims that he was retaliated against for making a worker’s compensation claim and for negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress; case is currently on appeal to the Connecticut Appellate Court)
- Biello v. Town of Watertown, 2006 Conn. Super. LEXIS 173 (successfully defended Town in bench trial against former employee’s claims of breach of implied contract, promissory estoppel and unjust enrichment)
- Vollemans v. Town of Wallingford, 2006 Conn. Super. LEXIS 41(successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of Town of Wallingford on age discrimination claim brought pursuant to the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act by a employee; Court applied federal precedent set out by Ricks in holding that claim was not timely filed), reversed by, Vollemans v. Town of Wallingford, 103 Conn. App. 188 (2007) (Appellate Court held that Ricks does not apply to claim brought under the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act, and, therefore, reversed entry of summary judgment), cert. granted, Vollemans v. Wallingford, 284 Conn. 920 (2007) (Supreme Court granted certification to determine this matter of first impression of whether Ricks applies claims brought pursuant to Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act).
- Saltarella v. Town of Enfield, 427 F. Supp. 2d 62 (D.Conn. 2006), aff’d, 2007 U.S. App. LEXIS 15767 (2d Cir. 2007) (plaintiff alleged equal protection and due process violations and First Amendment retaliation. Mr. Saltarella alleged that he blew the whistle on illegal police practices and was thereafter terminated. Mr. Rose obtained a summary judgment on behalf of all defendants, which was affirmed by the Second Circuit).
- Distiso v. Wolcott Board of Education, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 83835 (D.Conn. 2006) (obtained dismissal of constitutional and state common law claims brought by minor plaintiff’s mother against the Board, public school teachers, principal and superintendent).
- Smolicz v. Borough/Town of Naugatuck, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 50596, amended by, in part, adhered to, in part, on reconsideration by, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 77024 (D.Conn. 2006) (successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of Naugatuck and its Police Department on First Amendment retaliation claim brought by terminated police officer; currently on appeal to Second Circuit).
- Mallett v. Town of Plainville, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 15794 (D.Conn. 2006) (successfully defended individual capacity defendants in First Amendment whistleblower case).
- Papay v. Town of New Canaan, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5338 (D.Conn. 2006) (constructive discharge claim dismissed in sexual harassment case).
- Diggs v. Town of Machester, 303 F. Supp. 2d 163 (D. Conn. 2006) (successfully defended Town of Manchester and individual defendants against former firefighter’s claims of race and disability discrimination, harassment and retaliation in violation of Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution; summary judgment granted).
- O'Connor v. Pierson, 426 F.3d 187 (2d Cir. 2005) (leading Second Circuit case on rights of public sector employers to obtain psychiatric information from potentially dangerous employees), on remand, O’Connor v. Pierson, 482 F. Supp. 2d 228 (D.Conn. 2007) (successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of defendants because claims were barred by res judicata because plaintiff had a full and fair opportunity to litigate his case to verdict in Connecticut state court; case is currently on appeal to the Second Circuit for the second time)
- Goodman v. Town of Farmington Bd. of Educ., 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 33734 (D.Conn. 2005) (successfully obtained summary judgment on plaintiffs’ claims brought pursuant to the Family and Medical Leave Act plaintiff’s decedent failed inform the Board that she was seeking leave under the Act and the relief sought was not available under the Act because her 12 week leave would have expired prior to her death)
- Pare v. City of Bristol, 386 F. Supp. 2d 43 (D.Conn. 2005) (successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of City of Bristol on disability discrimination case brought by police officer).
- O'Connor v. Bd. of Educ. 90 Conn. App. 59, cert. denied, 275 Conn. 912 (2005) (after jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff on invasion of privacy claim, Appellate Court reversed on the grounds of governmental immunity. Leading case holding that invasion of privacy is an intentional tort to which governmental immunity applies. Appellate Court also affirmed court’s ruling granting summary judgment to defendant on plaintiff’s negligent infliction of emotional distress breach of contract claims. Mr. Rose obtained a defendant’s verdict on the remaining claims alleging constitutional, statutory and common law theories)
- Martin v. Town of Westport, 329 F. Supp. 2d 318 (D.Conn. 2004) (successfully obtain partial summary judgment on plaintiff’s retaliation, hostile work environment, disability discrimination, procedural due process and negligent and intentional emotional distress claims; Mr. Rose subsequently obtained a defendant’s verdict on plaintiff race discrimination claim), verdict affirmed by Martin v. Town of Westport, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 125 (D.Conn. 2005) (affirming jury’s defendant’s verdict)
- Sartor v. Town of Manchester, 312 F. Supp. 2d 238 (D.Conn. 2004) (summary judgment obtained on plaintiffs’ claims of breach of contract and tortious breach of contract in connection with plaintiff’s retirement as Town Manager)
- McEwan v. Town of New Canaan, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16790 (D.Conn. 2004) (successfully sought dismissal of free speech claims brought pursuant to §31-51q against individual defendants because the term “employer” in §31-51q does not include supervisors)
- Harhay v. Town of Ellington Bd. of Educ., 323 F.3d 206 (2d Cir. 2003) (Procedural due process claim brought by tenured teacher who was fired as part of a reduction in force. In an interlocutory appeal, Second Circuit reversed District Court’s refusal to grant qualified immunity to the individual defendants).
- Braheney v. Town of Wallingford, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5515 (D.Conn. 2004) (successfully defended the Town of Wallingford from gender discrimination and disability discrimination brought by female firefighter)
- Barton v. City of Bristol, 294 F. Supp. 2d 184 (D.Conn. 2003) (successfully obtained summary judgment on first amendment whistleblower/ retaliation, substantive due process and equal protection claims brought against Fire Chief).
- Filush v. Town of Weston, 266 F. Supp. 2d 322 (D. Conn. 2003) (granting motion to dismiss, holding that public employees may not bring cause of action under Title II of ADA to circumvent exhaustion requirements of Title I of the ADA).
- Matos v. Bristol Bd. of Educ., 204 F. Supp. 2d 375 (D. Conn. 2002) (successfully defended discrimination case brought by janitor)
- Rider v. Town of Farmington, 162 F. Supp. 2d 45 (D.Conn. 2001) (successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of Farmington police department in case of gender discrimination and retaliation by female officer).
- Miner v. Town of Cheshire, 126 F. Supp. 2d 184 (D.Conn. 2000) (successfully sought and obtained dismissal of sexual harassment claims because they were not timely filed and plaintiff did not plead facts trigging the application of the continuing violation doctrine or equitable tolling).
- Meeker v. Regional Sch. Dist. # 6, initial opinion at, 23 F. Supp. 2d 193 (D.Conn. 1998) (case tried to verdict on procedural due process claim brought by public school teacher who was non-renewed).
- ATC Partnership v. Town of Windham, 251 Conn. 597 (1999), cert. denied, ATC Partnership v. Town of Windham, 530 U.S. 1214 (2000) (seminal case on causes of action under the Connecticut constitution).
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ROBIN B. KALLOR
Partner
Rose Kallor, LLP
750 Main Street, Suite 606
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 748-4660
(860) 241-1547
Website: www.rosekallor.com
E-Mail: rkallor@rosekallor.com
ROBIN B. KALLOR is one of the founding partners of Rose Kallor, LLP. Prior to relocating to Connecticut, where she has practiced for three years, she spent seven years in New York at a mid-sized labor and employment firm in New York City.
Ms. Kallor has concentrated on labor and employment litigation in federal and state courts, as well as proceedings before government administrative agencies, such as the National Labor Relations Board and the State Board of Labor Relations and the various civil rights and labor agencies. In her defense of civil rights and other litigation, she has frequently obtained pretrial dismissal or other satisfactory conclusion in both the federal and state courts. In addition to her litigation practice, Ms. Kallor regularly advises municipal and private sector clients in employment and labor matters. She also negotiates union contracts on behalf of management in the public and private sector.
In her varied management-side practice, Ms. Kallor gives advice and litigates issues relating to race, color, religion, age, sex, disability and national origin discrimination, wage and hour claims, Family and Medical Leave Act issues, employee claims of breach of contract, defamation and other work-related tort claims and other matters that arise in connection with the employee-employer relationship. Ms. Kallor also negotiates collective bargaining agreements. Ms. Kallor also presents seminars on labor and employment issues.
Attorney Kallor graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1994 and from Hofstra University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate degree in 1997. Attorney Kallor was the recipient of the Hofstra University School of Law Citation of Excellence for Advocacy and Litigation and was Notes and Comments Editor for the Hofstra Labor Law Journal. Attorney Kallor is currently admitted to practice in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. She is admitted to practice before the United States District Courts in Connecticut, New Jersey and the Eastern, Southern and Western Districts of New York. She is also admitted to practice before the Second and Third Circuits of the United States Courts of Appeals.
- Saltarella v. Town of Enfield, 427 F. Supp. 2d 62 (D.Conn. 2006), aff’d, 2007 U.S. App. LEXIS 15767 (2d Cir. 2007) (plaintiff alleged equal protection and due process violations and First Amendment retaliation. Mr. Saltarella alleged that he blew the whistle on illegal police practices and was thereafter terminated. Mr. Rose obtained a summary judgment on behalf of all defendants, which was affirmed by the Second Circuit).
- Aceto v. Town of Bloomfield, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 32475 (D.Conn. 2006) (successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of Town and individual defendants against former police officer's constitutional claims that the defendants violated her right to privacy and discriminated against her because of her gender; summary judgment granted).
- Goodman v. Town of Farmington Bd. of Educ., 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 33734 (D.Conn. 2005) (successfully obtained summary judgment on plaintiffs’ claims brought pursuant to the Family and Medical Leave Act plaintiff’s decedent failed inform the Board that she was seeking leave under the Act and the relief sought was not available under the Act because her 12 week leave would have expired prior to her death)
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JOHANNA G. ZELMAN
Associate
Rose Kallor, LLP
750 Main Street, Suite 606
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 748-4660
(860) 241-1547
Website: www.rosekallor.com
E-Mail: jzelman@rosekallor.com
JOHANNA G. ZELMAN graduated from Connecticut College, summa cum laude, in 1999 with Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Psychology, with Honors and Distinction, and Hispanic Studies, with Distinction. While at Connecticut College, Attorney Zelman was a Winthrop Scholar and became a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Psi Chi. Prior to attending law school, Attorney Zelman worked at Massachusetts General and Brigham & Women’s Hospitals, both affiliates of Harvard University, located in Boston, Massachusetts. There, she aided doctors in clinical investigation of various anti-depressant medications and neurological disorders and managed large federally and privately funded research grants. While working at Massachusetts General Hospital, she co-authored several research papers published in prominent medical journals, including the American Journal of Psychiatry, the Annals of Clinical Psychology and Psychosomatics. She also gave several presentations at the 2000 Annual American Psychiatric Association Conference.
Attorney Zelman graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Law with a Juris Doctorate Degree in 2005. There, she was a member of the Student Trial Lawyers Association and was awarded the CALI award for excellence in Juvenile Law. While attending law school, she also participated in the program at the Center for Children’s Advocacy aiding children with legal issues stemming from serious medical conditions. Additionally, she aided the UConn Health Center, Department of Community Medicine, in developing a class for Connecticut health professionals on bioterrorism preparedness.
Attorney Zelman is admitted to practice in the Connecticut Superior, Appellate and Supreme Courts in 2005 and the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut in 2006. She will be admitted to practice in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 2008.
As an Associate at Rose Kallor, LLP, Attorney Zelman practices in the field of Labor and Employment Litigation, as well as general civil rights and municipal defense. She advises both private and municipal employers in all aspects of labor and employment law and provides a defense to municipal corporations in civil rights and employment disputes. She has successfully defended employers before various administrative agencies, including the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the Connecticut Superior, Appellate and Supreme Courts and the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut.
A list of cases successfully defended by Attorney Zelman is included below:
- Milardo v. City of Middletown, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 93070 (D.Conn. 2007) (successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of former mayor on plaintiff’s “class of one” equal protection and First Amendment retaliation claims)
- Sebold v. City of Middletown, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 70081 (D.Conn. 2007) (successfully obtained partial summary judgment on behalf of City and former mayor on plaintiff’s federal and state claims that she was constructively discharged and suffered other harms because he former supervisor discriminated against and harassed her because of her age and gender and retaliated against her for protected activity, including free speech)
- Vollemans v. Town of Wallingford, 103 Conn. App. 188 (2007) (after Superior Court, applying federal law set out by Ricks, held that plaintiff’s claim under the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act was untimely, Appellate Court reversed and remanded, holding that Ricks does not apply to claim brought under state law), cert. granted, Vollemans v. Wallingford, 284 Conn. 920 (2007) (Supreme Court granted certification to determine this matter of first impression of whether Ricks applies claims brought pursuant to Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act)
- O’Connor v. Pierson, 482 F. Supp. 2d 228 (D.Conn. 2007) (successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of defendants because claims were barred by res judicata because plaintiff had a full and fair opportunity to litigate his case to verdict in Connecticut state court; case is currently on appeal to the Second Circuit for the second time)
- Martin v. Town of Westport, 2007 Conn. Super. LEXIS 158 (successfully obtained summary judgment in favor of Town on former employee’s claims that he was retaliated against for making a worker’s compensation claim and for negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress; case is currently on appeal to the Connecticut Appellate Court)
- Distiso v. Wolcott Board of Education, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 83835 (D.Conn. 2006) (obtained dismissal of constitutional and state common law claims brought by minor plaintiff’s mother against the Board, public school teachers, principal and superintendent)
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ADRIENNE R. DELUCCA
Associate
Rose Kallor, LLP
750 Main Street, Suite 606
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 748-4660
(860) 241-1547
Website: www.rosekallor.com
E-Mail: adelucca@rosekallor.com
ADRIENNE R. DELUCCA graduated cum laude from the University of Connecticut in 1979 where she was a member of Phi Upsilon Omicron National Honor Society. She also graduated cum laude from Quinnipiac School of Law in 2003. Attorney DeLucca was admitted to state court in November of 2003, to the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut in May of 2004, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 2008.
Attorney DeLucca received many awards and achievements including an IOLTA Academic Scholarship, a Superior Classroom Performance Award in Real Estate Law, a Service to the Community Award and three Distinguished Academic Achievement Awards in Advanced Writing and Research, Introduction to Representing Clients and Ethics & the Criminal Justice System the latter of which she received from Connecticut Supreme Court Justice Katz and Justice Palmer. Attorney DeLucca was also a member of the Phi Delta Phi Academic Honor Fraternity.
Prior to joining Rose Kallor, LLP, Attorney DeLucca was Deputy City Attorney of Middletown from 2003 until 2007, where she provided legal advice in all areas of general municipal law and government operations as well as labor and employment law. As an associate at Rose Kallor, LLP, Attorney DeLucca represents management in the area of labor and employment law and provides general municipal defense. She regularly negotiates collective bargaining agreements and represents municipalities in interest arbitration. She represents municipal entities in proceedings in both state and federal court as well as various federal and state agencies, including the Freedom of Information Commission, the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the Connecticut State Board of Mediation and Arbitration and the State Board of Labor Relations.
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KERRIE E. MURDICK
Paralegal
Rose Kallor, LLP
750 Main Street, Suite 606
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 748-4660 Ext. 50
(860) 241-1547
E-Mail: kmurdick@rosekallor.com
Website: www.rosekallor.com
KERRIE E. MURDICK graduated from Post College as a Legal Assistant where she attended her last semester on a full scholarship by maintaining a 3.8 G.P.A. Most recently, in August of 2007 she obtained her Certificate of Paralegal Studies from Boston University and graduated with a 4.0 G.P.A. Ms. Murdick is a member of the Connecticut Association of Paralegals and the National Federation of Paralegals.
Ms. Murdick has over 20 years of experience in the legal field. Prior to joining Rose Kallor, LLP, she was employed as a legal assistant for a general practice law firm specializing in personal injury litigation. More recently she was employed as a litigation assistant for the senior partner and managing attorney of the Labor and Employment Law Department of a mid-sized law firm in Hartford. In addition to personal injury litigation and labor and employment law, Ms. Murdick also has experience in the areas of family law, criminal law and workers’ compensation.
As a paralegal at Rose Kallor, LLP, Ms. Murdick provides support to managing partner, Michael Rose, and partner, Robin Kallor, in the areas of labor and employment law, as well as general civil rights and municipal defense.
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MARIA PALMER
Paralegal
Rose Kallor, LLP
750 Main Street, Suite 606
Hartford, CT 06103
Phone: 860-748-4660
Fax: 860-241-1547
e-mail: mpalmer@rosekallor.com
website:www.rosekallor.com
MARIA R. PALMER graduated from Quinnipiac College in 1991 where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies.
Ms. Palmer has over 20 years of experience in the legal field. Prior to joining Rose Kallor, LLP, she was employed as a paralegal for a small general practice law firm located in Hartford specializing in medical malpractice, personal injury, workers’ compensation, criminal law, and family law.
As a paralegal at Rose Kallor, LLP, Ms. Palmer provides support to two associates in the areas of labor and employment law, as well as general civil municipal defense, including personal injury defense.
Ms. Palmer also handles the law firm administrative functions, including, but not limited to, billing, accounts receivable/accounts payable, and bookkeeping.
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AMBER M. SMITH
Paralegal
Rose Kallor, LLP
750 Main Street, Suite 606
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 748-4660 Ext. 51
(860) 241-1547
E-Mail: asmith@rosekallor.com
Website: www.rosekallor.com
Amber M. Smith graduated with honors, maintaining a 3.8 G.P.A., from Branford Hall Career Institute in 2004, where she received a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. Ms. Smith is presently attending the University of Hartford, pursuing her B.S. degree in Paralegal Studies.
Prior to joining Rose Kallor, LLP, Ms. Smith was employed for over six years at a leading personal injury law firm located in Hartford, specializing in Connecticut and Massachusetts pre-litigation.
Currently at Rose Kallor, LLP, Ms. Smith provides paralegal support to two associates, in the areas of labor and employment law, as well as, general civil municipal defense and personal injury defense.
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