Sandi B. Girolamo

Attorney Girolamo and the innovative and determined trial lawyers of Flaherty Legal Group, LLC explore every opportunity for mediated settlement. Attorney Girolamo represents clients in family law matters that include divorce, custody, child and spousal support, and post judgment modification and enforcement issues. Her trial experience includes a six-day post judgment custody trial at the Regional Family Trial Docket and a nine-day dissolution of marriage trial in the Hartford Superior Court. One Judge commented at the end of a trial that Attorney Girolamo "exhibited the very best in family lawyers. She presented her case and examined witnesses in a way consistent with the rules of evidence, in a logical manner, and in a way that I think all family lawyers should emulate, and that is vigorously defending her client's rights but not becoming so emotionally involved in the case that you lost sight of the ultimate goal."

In addition to appearing in the Superior Court arguing and trying family cases, Attorney Girolamo has appeared and argued several cases before the Connecticut Appellate Court. She has written briefs and motions for both the Connecticut Appellate Court and the Connecticut State Supreme Court.

Attorney Girolamo believes that not every case should be tried and that a settlement usually better serves the client's needs and interests. Therefore, she also participates in mediations to resolve her cases. She has served as a mediator for couples seeking an amicable resolution to their pending divorce. Attorney Girolamo serves as a Special Master for the New Britain Superior Court, Tolland Superior Court and the Hartford Superior Court.

Attorney Girolamo has been named in Connecticut Super Lawyers in every year since 2011. Super Lawyers is a rating service of lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. Sandi was recognized by the same rating service in New England Rising Stars 2010. Also in 2010, the Officers of the Family Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association selected Attorney Girolamo as one of five Rising Stars in Connecticut Family Law.

Attorney Girolamo graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English from the University of Connecticut. In 1998, Attorney Girolamo began attending Quinnipiac University's Law School at night while working full-time as a paralegal for O'Connell, Flaherty & Attmore. In 2001, Attorney Girolamo received her Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, ranked second in the evening class and in the top 10% of the entire graduating class. While in law school, Attorney Girolamo also received the American Jurisprudence award in Workers' Compensation.

Attorney Girolamo is admitted to practice in Connecticut State Courts and the United States District Court, District of Connecticut. She also has served as co-chair for the Connecticut Bar Association, Young Lawyer's Family Law Section, and she currently sits on the Children Law Center's Development Committee.

Attorney Girolamo has chaired several seminars on family law topics and was featured in an article on juggling a legal career and motherhood. Her published decisions include: OFA v. Doody, Appellate Court of Connecticut, 124 Conn. App. 1 (2010); Deegan v. Simmons, Supreme Court of Connecticut, 282 Conn. 922 (2007); First Union National Bank v. Eppoliti Realty Co., Inc., 99 Conn. App. 603 (2007); Marlin Broadcasting, LLC v. Law Office of Kent Avery, LLC Appellate Court of Connecticut, 101 Conn. App. 638 (2007); Mangiante v. Niemiec Appellate Court of Connecticut, 98 Conn. App. 567 (2006); Logan v. Logan Appellate Court of Connecticut, 96 Conn. App. 842 (2006); Kessler v. Restoration Associates, Inc., Supreme Court of Connecticut, 275 Conn. 916 (2005); Fox v. Zoning Board of Appeals of Town of Barkhamsted, Appellate Court of Connecticut, 84 Conn. App. 628 (2004); Mangiante v. Niemiec, Appellate Court of Connecticut, 82 Conn. App. 277 (2004); and Szajnberg v. Szajnberg, Supreme Court of Connecticut, 266 Conn. 904 (2003).

Attorney Girolamo was born in 1971 in Kentucky. She spent most of her childhood in New Jersey and after graduating from the University of Connecticut, she decided to establish her career in Connecticut. She is married to a schoolteacher and they currently reside in Newington with their two children. Attorney Girolamo is active in her community by teaching gymnastics classes and actively participating in her daughter's school PAC and her son's school PTO.