Richard T. Meehan Jr.

Richard T. Meehan, Jr. has established himself as one of the top trial attorneys in the State of Connecticut since his admission to the Bar in 1974. Richard T. Meehan, Jr. has excelled in the practice of law in successfully representing clients in criminal and civil cases. His skill and achievements have led to Richard T. Meehan, Jr. being certified as a CRIMINAL TRIAL SPECIALIST by the NATIONAL BOARD OF TRIAL ADVOCACY (NBTA).Board certification is given only after a thorough screening of the credentials and trial abilities of an applicant, including: documentation of their experience, judicial and peer references, and after successful completion of a rigorous examination. Possessing the NBTA certificate means that the lawyer has been held to a higher standard of professional and personal conduct. NBTA lawyers maintain active trial practices and are required to submit a disclosure of misconduct annually, and meet the criteria for recertification every five years. Mr. Meehan, Jr. has successfully defended clients in many of the most highly publicized criminal cases in Connecticut. His widely recognized legal abilities have enabled Richard T. Meehan, Jr. to obtain multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in complex medical and dental malpractice and personal injury litigation. His success in personal injury cases has been featured in professional periodicals, as well as statewide print and broadcast media. Mr. Meehan's 2.6 million-dollar verdict against a surgeon, in 1995, is reputed to be one of the largest awards against a single physician in Connecticut to date. That case has been featured in the national media, and was the subject of an investigative series on Channel 3, Eyewitness News. His recent 1.2 million-dollar settlement for a machine operator who suffered a traumatic amputation is reported to be the largest tort recovery against an employer despite the limitations of Workers Compensation. Mr. Meehan has made a significant contribution to the development of Connecticut caselaw in a number of appellate cases, having argued before the Connecticut Supreme Court and the Connecticut Appellate Court on twenty-five appeals. Mr. Meehan also served as a consultant to the Rules Committee of the Superior Court in the drafting of the Rules of Practice in Criminal Cases first published in 1976.He is a Past President of the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association, the youngest member then elected to this prestigious position. He has lectured frequently to the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association-People's Law School, Greater Bridgeport Bar Association, and Fairfield County Detectives School, and has held appointments as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Legal Studies Program at Sacred Heart University, and as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Quinnipiac College School of Law, where he teaches an advanced criminal trial practice course. In addition, he has served as an Alderman for the City of Bridgeport from 1974-1979 and during that time was twice elected President of the Bridgeport Common Council, a position second in authority to only the Mayor.Richard T. Meehan, Jr. is admitted to practice in the State of Connecticut as well as the United Stated District Court for the District of Connecticut, Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Meehan has served as a volunteer Special Master in the Superior Court, conducting settlement conferences in personal injury cases, as well as having served on numerous panels as an arbitrator. In 1999 Mr. Meehan was appointed as a Fact Finder and Arbitrator for the Superior Court by the Chief Court Administrator. Mr. Meehan is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association, the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, and the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. Mr. Meehan began his legal career as a law clerk to Justice Herbert MacDonald of the Connecticut Supreme Court. A 1974 honors graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law, Mr. Meehan served as Research and Special Projects Editor of the Connecticut Law Review, and was the recipient of awards for excellence in the fields of Torts, Contracts and Criminal Procedure.Mr. Meehan has been recognized in Who's Who in American Law; Who's Who in Connecticut, Who's Who in Society; Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America and the Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers. Mr. Meehan has served as a volunteer to numerous organizations throughout Fairfield County, most recently as President of the Advisory Board for Catholic Family Services. In addition, the father of five sons, he has been active in community youth organizations for the past twenty-five years. He has served as an officer and coach for the Shelton Youth Flag Football League and as assistant coach for the Boy's Varsity Basketball Team for Notre Dame High School of Fairfield.