Municipal Law
Contact: Kari L. Olson, Chair
Our Municipal Law Practice Group includes attorneys with experience that extends to virtually every type of legal service that is required by a municipality. We have served as special counsel and/or town attorney to approximately 30 municipalities in Connecticut (in the areas of land use, environmental law, economic development, water and sewer matters, litigation, legislative, renewable energy, and labor and employment law).
We serve as general counsel or town attorney for seven Connecticut municipalities, including the Towns of Avon, Clinton, Cromwell, Lisbon, Madison, Portland and Sterling. In addition, we are general counsel to the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM).
Backing up the Municipal Law Practice are more than 80 additional lawyers whose areas of practice include litigation, employment law, real estate, communications and utilities, tax, and pension matters - each of which becomes relevant to our municipal clients from time to time.
Municipalities generate an unusually broad range of legal issues. Recently these have included: the scope of a municipality’s power to encourage or limit development, the relative powers and obligations of municipalities and boards of education, interpretations of charter and ordinance provisions, employment law issues, and tax and assessment issues. Our breadth and depth of experience enables us to meet virtually any challenge that our clients may encounter.
The Municipal Law Practice Group prides itself in delivering timely and responsive service to our clients. We are readily accessible, in person, by telephone and e-mail; and if one of us is temporarily unable to handle a time-sensitive matter, other members of the Group are always available.
The group’s lawyers stay current with changes in the law, and frequently provide updates to municipal officials and to other lawyers. Recent presentations have included a seminar on land use procedures and zoning and wetlands issues, a training course for zoning enforcement officials, a presentation concerning electronic communications and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and several presentations concerning municipal contracting. The firm provides annual updates in labor and employment law and semi-annual training sessions on sexual harassment prevention. These presentations are open to all clients. We also provide presentations, when requested, to selected groups of employees and officials of our clients.
- Kari Olson Appointed to the Task Force Reviewing Title 7 of General Statutes by Connecticut Senator Martin Looney
- January 26, 2022 - Joseph D. Szerejko Appointed Independent Consumer Advocate for MDC
- December 15, 2020 - Kari L. Olson Named “Municipal Champion” by Connecticut Conference of Municipalities
- April 15, 2020 - Municipal Law Group News: CARES Act Assistance for Municipalities
- March 28, 2019 - Municipal Law Group News: Bonaventure v. Town of Wilton - Scope Of Municipal Liability
- October 10, 2018 - Municipal Group News: New CT Freedom of Information Laws to Consider after October 1, 2018
- August 17, 2018 - Joseph D. Szerejko Joins Litigation Department
- March 13, 2018 - Municipal Client Prevails Before Connecticut Supreme Court Against Metropolitan District Commission
- January 11, 2018 - Municipal Group News: Will Your Municipality Be Liable For Its Failure To Conduct Mandatory Property Inspections?
- October 24, 2017 - Joseph B. Schwartz Named Co-Chair of Municipal Practice Group
- July 31, 2017 - Municipal Group News: CT General Assembly Override Changes Affordable Housing Land Use Appeals Procedure
- July 19, 2017 - Municipal Group News: Municipalities Under Connecticut's New Cybersecurity Strategy
- June 29, 2017 - Kari L. Olson Elected to Board of Directors of the Connecticut Association of Municipal Attorneys
- June 22, 2017 - Municipal & Telecommunications Groups News: Municipalities Are Now Included In PURA Small Cell Cases Before Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
- January 31, 2017 - Murtha Cullina LLP Wins Zoning Appeal for City of New Haven
- July 29, 2016 - Alfred E. Smith, Jr. Reappointed as Cheshire Town Attorney
- December 14, 2015 - Environmental Group News: MS4 General Permit (Small Municipal Stormwater Systems) Reissued
- June 19, 2015 - Municipal Law Group News: Important Supreme Court Decision on Municipal Regulation of Signs
- May 13, 2015 - Joseph B. Schwartz Elected to Board of CT Association of Water Pollution Control Authorities
- March 31, 2015 - Two Weeks Remain for Municipalities to Submit Applications for Brownfields Redevelopment Funds
- March 5, 2015 - Municipal Opportunities for Redevelopment of Brownfields: New Round of Grants Available
- January 6, 2015 - Michael C. Markowicz featured in the news regarding appointment as Meriden's Corporation Counsel
- October 17, 2014 - Town of Simsbury Appoints Murtha Cullina LLP As Employment Law Counsel
- July 25, 2014 - Alfred E. Smith, Jr. Appointed as Avon Town Attorney
- Murtha Cullina Partner Appointed as Cheshire Town Attorney
- New Brownfield Liability Relief Program May Assist Municipalities in Brownfield Redevelopment
- Connecticut Supreme Court Decides Two Important Zoning Issues
- Developments in Municipal Law
- Kathleen E. Connolly, Re-Elected Vice President of Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions
- Connecticut Supreme Court Rules Inspection by Municipal Authorities Subject to 4th Amendment Prohibition of Unreasonable Searches
- The Attorney General Finalizes Emergency Regulations and Issues Guidance Interpreting the New Open Meeting Law
- The New Open Meeting Law, July/August 2010
- Municipal Law News
- Nan M. Birdwhistell Appointed To MORE Commission
- Local Wetlands Bylaws are Not Intended to Supersede the Wetlands Protection Act, but to Provide Additional Local Protections, May/June 2009
- Kari Olson to Present "Tax Incentives for Economic Development” at the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities 2022 Convention
- June 21, 2022 - Nicholas Vitti Spoke at the Connecticut Certified Public Accountant's Not-for-Profit Organizations Conference
- May 24, 2022 - Municipal Webinar - Talking Trash: What you need to know about contracting for municipal waste management in the wake of MIRA's closure
- May 19, 2022 - Bob Kaelin presented on a Thomson Reuters, Norton Bankruptcy Law Series Webinar on “Advance Preference and Avoidance Actions in Bankruptcy”
- March 19, 2022 - Kari Olson Presenting Ethics, Public Meetings, Roberts Rules, Freedom of Information at CCM Training Workshop To Recruit People Of Color For State Office
- January 20, 2022 - Kari Olson and Joe Szerejko Presenting "Ethics, FOIA, Public Meetings" for CCM webinar
- November 30, 2021 - Kari Olson and Joe Szerejko Presenting “Update on Affordable Housing & Land Use Legislation” at the Annual CCM Convention.
- October 29, 2021 - Kari Olson Speaking at Southern New England APA Conference on Ethics, Accountability and Conflicts of Interest for Municipal Officials and Consultants.
- February 27, 2021 - Kari Olson Presenting Ethics, Public Meetings, Roberts Rules, Freedom of Information and More at CCM Training "Representation Matters: Are You Ready to Run for Local Office?"
- October 30, 2018 - Kari Olson and Sarah Gruber Speaking on "Marijuana Sale and Use in Your Town" at the CCM Annual Convention
- June 7, 2016 - Kari Olson and Joseph Schwartz will present “Customer Service for Municipal Personnel” in Windham, CT.
- June 2, 2016 - Kari Olson and Joseph Schwartz will present “Customer Service for Municipal Personnel” in Waterford, CT.
- May 8, 2015 - Spring Workshop and Annual Meeting - CAWPCA
- February 11, 2015 - Customer Service for Municipal Personnel: Skills to Make Your Town or City a Better Place to Work and Live
- April 2014 - Presentations from CT Association of Water Pollution Control Authorities (CAWPCA) 2014 Spring Workshop
- Renewing Facilities Through Clean Energy Strategies
- CAWPCA Fall Workshop Presentations
- Reducing Energy Costs for Municipalities - State Funding Information Session
- Requests for Proposals and Contracting by Municipalities
- Real Estate Valuation Basics and Review of Tax Assessment Appeals and Eminent Domain Procedures
Contact: Kari L. Olson, Chair
Our Municipal Law Practice Group includes attorneys with experience that extends to virtually every type of legal service that is required by a municipality. We have served as special counsel and/or town attorney to approximately 30 municipalities in Connecticut (in the areas of land use, environmental law, economic development, water and sewer matters, litigation, legislative, renewable energy, and labor and employment law).
We serve as general counsel or town attorney for seven Connecticut municipalities, including the Towns of Avon, Clinton, Cromwell, Lisbon, Madison, Portland and Sterling. In addition, we are general counsel to the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM).
Backing up the Municipal Law Practice are more than 80 additional lawyers whose areas of practice include litigation, employment law, real estate, communications and utilities, tax, and pension matters - each of which becomes relevant to our municipal clients from time to time.
Municipalities generate an unusually broad range of legal issues. Recently these have included: the scope of a municipality’s power to encourage or limit development, the relative powers and obligations of municipalities and boards of education, interpretations of charter and ordinance provisions, employment law issues, and tax and assessment issues. Our breadth and depth of experience enables us to meet virtually any challenge that our clients may encounter.
The Municipal Law Practice Group prides itself in delivering timely and responsive service to our clients. We are readily accessible, in person, by telephone and e-mail; and if one of us is temporarily unable to handle a time-sensitive matter, other members of the Group are always available.
The group’s lawyers stay current with changes in the law, and frequently provide updates to municipal officials and to other lawyers. Recent presentations have included a seminar on land use procedures and zoning and wetlands issues, a training course for zoning enforcement officials, a presentation concerning electronic communications and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and several presentations concerning municipal contracting. The firm provides annual updates in labor and employment law and semi-annual training sessions on sexual harassment prevention. These presentations are open to all clients. We also provide presentations, when requested, to selected groups of employees and officials of our clients.
- Kari Olson Appointed to the Task Force Reviewing Title 7 of General Statutes by Connecticut Senator Martin Looney
- January 26, 2022 - Joseph D. Szerejko Appointed Independent Consumer Advocate for MDC
- December 15, 2020 - Kari L. Olson Named “Municipal Champion” by Connecticut Conference of Municipalities
- April 15, 2020 - Municipal Law Group News: CARES Act Assistance for Municipalities
- March 28, 2019 - Municipal Law Group News: Bonaventure v. Town of Wilton - Scope Of Municipal Liability
- October 10, 2018 - Municipal Group News: New CT Freedom of Information Laws to Consider after October 1, 2018
- August 17, 2018 - Joseph D. Szerejko Joins Litigation Department
- March 13, 2018 - Municipal Client Prevails Before Connecticut Supreme Court Against Metropolitan District Commission
- January 11, 2018 - Municipal Group News: Will Your Municipality Be Liable For Its Failure To Conduct Mandatory Property Inspections?
- October 24, 2017 - Joseph B. Schwartz Named Co-Chair of Municipal Practice Group
- July 31, 2017 - Municipal Group News: CT General Assembly Override Changes Affordable Housing Land Use Appeals Procedure
- July 19, 2017 - Municipal Group News: Municipalities Under Connecticut's New Cybersecurity Strategy
- June 29, 2017 - Kari L. Olson Elected to Board of Directors of the Connecticut Association of Municipal Attorneys
- June 22, 2017 - Municipal & Telecommunications Groups News: Municipalities Are Now Included In PURA Small Cell Cases Before Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
- January 31, 2017 - Murtha Cullina LLP Wins Zoning Appeal for City of New Haven
- July 29, 2016 - Alfred E. Smith, Jr. Reappointed as Cheshire Town Attorney
- December 14, 2015 - Environmental Group News: MS4 General Permit (Small Municipal Stormwater Systems) Reissued
- June 19, 2015 - Municipal Law Group News: Important Supreme Court Decision on Municipal Regulation of Signs
- May 13, 2015 - Joseph B. Schwartz Elected to Board of CT Association of Water Pollution Control Authorities
- March 31, 2015 - Two Weeks Remain for Municipalities to Submit Applications for Brownfields Redevelopment Funds
- March 5, 2015 - Municipal Opportunities for Redevelopment of Brownfields: New Round of Grants Available
- January 6, 2015 - Michael C. Markowicz featured in the news regarding appointment as Meriden's Corporation Counsel
- October 17, 2014 - Town of Simsbury Appoints Murtha Cullina LLP As Employment Law Counsel
- July 25, 2014 - Alfred E. Smith, Jr. Appointed as Avon Town Attorney
- Murtha Cullina Partner Appointed as Cheshire Town Attorney
- New Brownfield Liability Relief Program May Assist Municipalities in Brownfield Redevelopment
- Connecticut Supreme Court Decides Two Important Zoning Issues
- Developments in Municipal Law
- Kathleen E. Connolly, Re-Elected Vice President of Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions
- Connecticut Supreme Court Rules Inspection by Municipal Authorities Subject to 4th Amendment Prohibition of Unreasonable Searches
- The Attorney General Finalizes Emergency Regulations and Issues Guidance Interpreting the New Open Meeting Law
- The New Open Meeting Law, July/August 2010
- Municipal Law News
- Nan M. Birdwhistell Appointed To MORE Commission
- Local Wetlands Bylaws are Not Intended to Supersede the Wetlands Protection Act, but to Provide Additional Local Protections, May/June 2009
- Kari Olson to Present "Tax Incentives for Economic Development” at the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities 2022 Convention
- June 21, 2022 - Nicholas Vitti Spoke at the Connecticut Certified Public Accountant's Not-for-Profit Organizations Conference
- May 24, 2022 - Municipal Webinar - Talking Trash: What you need to know about contracting for municipal waste management in the wake of MIRA's closure
- May 19, 2022 - Bob Kaelin presented on a Thomson Reuters, Norton Bankruptcy Law Series Webinar on “Advance Preference and Avoidance Actions in Bankruptcy”
- March 19, 2022 - Kari Olson Presenting Ethics, Public Meetings, Roberts Rules, Freedom of Information at CCM Training Workshop To Recruit People Of Color For State Office
- January 20, 2022 - Kari Olson and Joe Szerejko Presenting "Ethics, FOIA, Public Meetings" for CCM webinar
- November 30, 2021 - Kari Olson and Joe Szerejko Presenting “Update on Affordable Housing & Land Use Legislation” at the Annual CCM Convention.
- October 29, 2021 - Kari Olson Speaking at Southern New England APA Conference on Ethics, Accountability and Conflicts of Interest for Municipal Officials and Consultants.
- February 27, 2021 - Kari Olson Presenting Ethics, Public Meetings, Roberts Rules, Freedom of Information and More at CCM Training "Representation Matters: Are You Ready to Run for Local Office?"
- October 30, 2018 - Kari Olson and Sarah Gruber Speaking on "Marijuana Sale and Use in Your Town" at the CCM Annual Convention
- June 7, 2016 - Kari Olson and Joseph Schwartz will present “Customer Service for Municipal Personnel” in Windham, CT.
- June 2, 2016 - Kari Olson and Joseph Schwartz will present “Customer Service for Municipal Personnel” in Waterford, CT.
- May 8, 2015 - Spring Workshop and Annual Meeting - CAWPCA
- February 11, 2015 - Customer Service for Municipal Personnel: Skills to Make Your Town or City a Better Place to Work and Live
- April 2014 - Presentations from CT Association of Water Pollution Control Authorities (CAWPCA) 2014 Spring Workshop
- Renewing Facilities Through Clean Energy Strategies
- CAWPCA Fall Workshop Presentations
- Reducing Energy Costs for Municipalities - State Funding Information Session
- Requests for Proposals and Contracting by Municipalities
- Real Estate Valuation Basics and Review of Tax Assessment Appeals and Eminent Domain Procedures