U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Connecticut Robert A. Richardson paid tribute to Joseph Garrison, his mentor and the founding partner of Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, P.C., in a recent article in the Connecticut Law Tribune. Judge Richardson was an employment lawyer at Garrison, Levin-Epstein – as an associate and then a partner – from his law school graduation in 1991 until 2016, when he became a federal judge. He is the firm’s third partner to become a judge.
Judge Richardson credits many of his successes as a lawyer and judge to the lessons he learned from Joe Garrison. “One of the things Joe taught me early on is that you don’t have to dislike your adversaries to be an effective attorney,” Judge Richardson said. “That was a real valuable life lesson for me. He practices and preaches civility. He is professional and cordial, and that helped me become a better judge.”
Judge Richardson also praised Joe’s skills as a mediator and commented on how they influenced his own. “I adopted [Joe’s] style as my own. I grew into his style,” Judge Richardson said. “[When I mediate cases as a judge,] I listen to all sides and understand each side’s perspective. You can’t be judgmental when you are mediating a case. A mediator must persuade and bring both sides along.”
The lawyers of Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, P.C. have been advocating for employee and civil rights throughout Connecticut for more than 40 years. From our offices in New Haven, we provide award-winning representation in all aspects of Connecticut employment law.