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“I believe the best problem solvers are those who listen, work hard and understand the value of collaboration, and that’s how I approach my clients’ matters.”

Joseph D. Szerejko, a Murtha Cullina associate, is a litigator who represents municipalities, government officials, corporations and individuals in matters ranging from real estate, land use and zoning to property tax and foreclosure matters.

Joe regularly advocates on behalf of clients in state and local administrative proceedings and judicial proceedings, including appeals filed with the Connecticut Appellate Court and Connecticut Supreme Court. He often represents municipalities and government officials before the Connecticut Freedom of Information (FOI) Commission; municipal boards of assessment appeals; municipal planning and zoning commissions; and other administrative agencies hearing Uniform Administrative Procedure Act (UAPA) cases. Representing both defendants and plaintiffs, he advises retail and skilled nursing home clients in landlord-tenant, collection and other disputes. In addition to representing various corporate entities and individuals in general litigation involving disputes over contractual and real property rights, Joe regularly represents clients in Connecticut property tax disputes.

In 2022, Joe was appointed to a one-year term as the independent consumer advocate for The Metropolitan District of Hartford, Connecticut (MDC), a nonprofit municipal corporation responsible for the region’s water and sewage services. In this role he represents MDC consumers’ interests concerning water quality, water supply and wastewater service quality. 

Sought-after for both his legal and industry insight, Joe also shares his knowledge with government officials and community leaders, and he has both presented at professional organization events and written articles about topics of interest in his practice areas. 

In his spare time, Joe enjoys skiing, golf, hiking, cooking and gardening.

  • Represented a municipality and its officials in successfully prosecuting a land use enforcement action brought in Connecticut Superior Court against a property owner who unlawfully operated a refuse collection center in a residential zone. The case resulted in the town collecting nearly $50,000 in fines. 

  • Litigated an administrative appeal on behalf of a skilled nursing facility against the Connecticut Department of Social Services, successfully securing a six-figure Medicaid benefit for the client. 

  • Helped to obtain a partial summary judgment for a corporate client in a property tax appeal seeking tax exemption for the client’s renewable energy source that resulted in a monetary judgment in excess of $1 million in tax overpayments. 

  • Defended a quasi-public utility company, prevailing in a highly contested land use appeal brought in Connecticut Superior Court against the client and a municipal land use agency. The successful appeal resulted in local administrative approval to construct a crucial water tank in an underserved area. 

  • Listed in The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ for Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation (2021-2024)

  • Listed as a Super Lawyers Connecticut Rising Star® for General Litigation (2018-2023)

  • New Leaders in the Law, Connecticut Law Tribune (2021)

  • CALI Excellence Award in Legal and Cultural Issues in Cyberspace 

  • CALI Excellence Award in Complex Litigation 

  • CALI Excellence Award in Copyright Seminar 

  • CALI Excellence Award in Copyright in the Digital Age 

  • David H. Neiditz Professional Writing Award (2014)

  • NE Regional Semifinalist-American Intellectual Property Law Association Moot Court Competition (2014)

  • Connecticut Bar Association, Litigation Section

  • Oliver Ellsworth Inn of Court

  • Metropolitan District of Hartford County, Independent Consumer Advocate

  • Leadership Greater Hartford, Quest Class of 2019

  • Law Clerk for the Honorable Christine E. Keller, Connecticut Appellate Court

  • Law Clerk, United States Attorney’s Office

  • Extern for the Honorable Alfred V. Covello, United States District Court District of Connecticut

  • Intern, Connecticut Office of the Attorney General, Department of Public Safety

  • Contributor to the Connecticut Bar Association Construction Law Section’s Case Law Summary and Legislative Review

Areas of Focus

Services

Industries

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Credentials

Education

  • University of Connecticut School of Law (J.D.)
  • Bates College (B.A. in Economics and Political Science)

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Connecticut
  • U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut