Madison, CT

Richard Tropiano Jr.

Attorney Tropiano grew up in North Haven, Connecticut and attended local area schools. After graduating from high school, he attended Quinnipiac College, from which he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2000. After college, he immediately attended Quinnipiac University School of Law and received his Juris Doctorate Degree in 2003. Admitted the practice of law in 2003, Attorney Tropiano started working with Attorney Balzano and made partner in 2008. He has devoted most of his legal career to representing individuals who have been seriously injured by the negligence and wrongdoing of others. His genuine compassion for those who have been injured has had a broad and lasting effect with both past and current clients. Although a skilled negotiator, Attorney Tropiano is ready and willing to take every case to trial if that means the best outcome for the clients. After a decade of personal injury practice, he has secured hundreds of pre-trial settlements and jury verdicts for his clients. Recently, Attorney Tropiano was nominated and named as one of the 10 Best Attorneys in Connecticut by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys for 2019. Rich was also named a Super Lawyer in Connecticut by Super Lawyers Magazine in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. In addition to his personal injury practice, Attorney Tropiano also has extensive experience defending individuals charged with crimes. A native of Connecticut he now lives in Guildford with his wife, a young son and daughter. He thoroughly enjoys spending his free time with his family and friends.

Andrew T. Boivin

Attorney Boivin focuses his practice on the representation of clients in personal injury actions, including motor vehicle accidents and premises liability. He has extensive experience in all phases of litigation, from the inception of a claim to resolution through settlement, mediation, arbitration, and trial. Attorney Boivin has represented clients as both plaintiffs and defendants in a broad range of legal claims over his career, including personal injury, product liability, Dram Shop Act violations, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, medical malpractice and wrongful death, as well as in workers’ compensation claims. He leverages his experience, including in insurance defense and as a Partner at an Am Law 200 firm, to maximize the benefit and value for the firm’s clients in the relentless pursuit of favorable outcomes. He believes in preparing every case for trial, knowing that one who fails to prepare is preparing to fail. Andrew completed his undergraduate degree at Quinnipiac University, where he studied Criminal Justice and Health Science. While at Quinnipiac he interned for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts in Springfield, Massachusetts. Upon graduation, Andrew attended Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts, on a Trustee Academic Scholarship. During his time at Suffolk he earned membership to the Moot Court Honor Board and served as an Associate Managing Editor of the Suffolk Journal of Trial & Appellate Advocacy. After graduation, Andrew served as a Legal Research Law Clerk to the Judges of the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut Superior Court Judicial Branch. He thereafter worked at a well-respected Connecticut firm before accepting a position with a respected national law firm. In 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, Attorney Boivin was selected as a “Rising Star” in New England and Connecticut, as published by Super Lawyers Magazine and Connecticut Magazine, respectively. Notably, that distinction is only awarded to lawyers falling within the top 2.5% of “up-and-coming” attorneys in Connecticut. In 2023, Andrew was honored to be included in the Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. In 2024, Andrew was honored to be included in the Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Additionally, Attorney Boivin has successfully briefed and argued on appeal before the Connecticut State Supreme Court. Andrew resides in Guilford with his wife and children. He enjoys spending his free time with his family and friends and participating in local sports and town activities. He also enjoys giving his time to community efforts, including as a Board Member of the Guilford Community Fund.

Brian V. Altieri

Attorney Altieri represents clients in personal injury, workers compensation, and criminal matters and advises clients on legal transactions. He specializes in motor vehicle accidents, workers compensation, and criminal defense. Attorney Altieri’s cases have been highlighted in the Connecticut Law Tribune and the publication also recognized him as a “New Leader in the Law” in 2016. In addition, Attorney Altieri has been listed as a “Top 40 Litigation Lawyer Under 40 In the State of Connecticut” for the years 2016 and 2017. In 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, Attorney Altieri was selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine. Prior to receiving his law degree, Attorney Altieri gained experience working at a global insurance company as a Personal Injury Claims Specialist. He was licensed to negotiate claims in fourteen states and handled well over 1,000 cases. Shortly after, Attorney Altieri clerked at a law firm where he managed transactions and foreclosure defense. Attorney Altieri is a member of the Connecticut and New Haven County Bar Associations as well as the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association. He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University School of Law, cum laude, with a concentration in Civil Advocacy and Dispute Resolution, which he received with honors. While in law school, Attorney Altieri was a member of Phi Alpha Delta, the Society for Dispute Resolution and the Student Bar Association as well as Treasurer for the Labor and Employment Law Society. He also participated in externships with Connecticut Legal Services, The Honorable Theodore R. Tyma, and the Honorable Arthur A. Hiller. During his free time, Attorney Altieri enjoys riding his motorcycle, playing hockey, and golfing. He is also dedicated to giving back to the community by participating in various charity initiatives including, Relay for Life, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD,) and Save-A-Suit. Attorney Altieri is admitted to practice in the State of Connecticut, the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Court.

Alphonse J. Balzano Jr.

Mr. Balzano was hired as an associate attorney at the Law Offices of Moss, Moss & Cirillo in 1992. During his tenure with the firm, Attorney Balzano represented individual and small business plaintiffs in the New England area. He assisted these clients in negotiating settlements for personal injury workers Compensation and contract matters. If efforts leading up to the negotiated resolution of disputes or where settlement was not feasible, Attorney Balzano represented clients in mediations, arbitrations and litigated proceedings before Connecticut State Courts. In January 1996 Mr. Balzano fulfilled a lifetime dream by establishing his own law firm, Balzano & Associates LLC. The cornerstone of his practice has always been to protect the rights of those individuals who have been injured as a result of no fault of their own. He has never wavered from this principle and will never represent the interest of big business or insurance companies, as do many other so-called “personal injury” law firms throughout Connecticut. Today he has partnered with Attorney Richard Tropiano and despite the firm’s growth, Balzano & Tropiano P.C. continues to represent the “small guy” in their battle for justice against the insurance industry. Mr. Balzano believes that the personal attention he and his colleagues put into every case regardless of the size and the tireless work ethic separates his firm from many others. Under Attorney Balzano’s leadership, the firm has won many large verdicts, arbitrations, and settlements throughout Connecticut and beyond. He has instilled a work ethic on his staff that includes arriving at the office before sunrise and regularly working on weekends, which he believes sets B&T apart from other firms in New Haven County. Attorney Balzano has never been fond of the terms “Accident Lawyers” or Injury Lawyers”, he has always preferred to be regarded as a Trial Lawyer who represents the injured. He advises his clients of this distinction at their initial consultation. ” I want all my clients to know that we will always dictate to the insurance carriers how much their case is worth, and if they don’t see things our way then we will proceed to trial.”

Andrew Finkelstein

Mr. Finkelstein’s career reflects a rare blend of legal excellence, educational leadership, and unwavering dedication to justice and public safety. Andrew Finkelstein is the Managing Partner of Finkelstein & Partners, LLP, where he has built a distinguished career advocating for injured individuals and holding corporate wrongdoers accountable. A nationally recognized consumer advocate and accomplished trial attorney, Mr. Finkelstein has successfully litigated numerous wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, securing multiple multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Notably, he achieved a record $50 million confidential settlement for a single injury claim, $31 million jury verdict in Ulster County, NY, and a $13.5 million settlement in a motor vehicle accident case, as well as dozens of other multi-million dollar results. Mr. Finkelstein’s leadership extends beyond the courtroom. He currently serves as the 58th President of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA) and is a dedicated faculty member and Executive Chairman at Trial School, a nationwide nonprofit organization committed to training trial lawyers. He is an accomplished author whose book, I Hope We Never Meet, reached #1 on New York Times best seller list. He has also taught at Keenan Trial Institute, Trial Lawyers University, and lectured at prestigious institutions including Harvard Law School and Brooklyn Law School. His continuing legal education (CLE) presentations span multiple state trial lawyer associations, including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, and Maryland, as well as national conferences such as Mass Torts Made Perfect, and National Trial Lawyer Academy. A passionate educator, Mr. Finkelstein frequently lectures at the Finkelstein & Partners Center for Continuing Legal Education. His topics include: Building the Case Using Experts and Lay Witnesses, Science in the Courtroom, Technology in the Courtroom, Prosecution of a Pharmaceutical Case, The Ethics of Online Advertising, Structured Settlements and Personal Injury Settlements. Mr. Finkelstein is also deeply committed to community service. He led the firm’s pro bono efforts as Captain of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund through “Trial Lawyers Care,” securing over $10 million for victims while waiving all legal fees. His leadership in this initiative earned him recognition from the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. In the realm of pharmaceutical litigation, Mr. Finkelstein has played a pivotal role in national cases involving dangerous drugs. He chairs the Plaintiff Personal Injury Steering Committee for the Neurontin Multi-District Litigation (MDL) in Boston and has worked closely with the FDA, filing a Citizen Petition to enhance suicide risk warnings. He also serves on the Executive Steering Committee for the Hormone Replacement Therapy MDL and is a key member of the Plaintiff Steering Committees for the Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch and Viagra MDLs. For 11 consecutive years (2014-2025) Mr. Finkelstein has been voted one of the nation’s top 50 most influential civil plaintiff’s trial lawyers by National Trial Lawyers, as published by The Trial Lawyer Magazine.

Amara T. Barbiero

Amara is a tenacious problem solver who values developing personal and professional relationships with her clients. She handles personal injury, workers’ compensation, and criminal defense matters. As the first college graduate in her family, Amara graduated from Quinnipiac University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting prior to obtaining her Juris Doctor degree from Western New England University School of Law. As a law student, she was awarded the prestigious CALI Excellence Award in Workers’ Compensation, given to the highest scoring student in each law school class. Prior to Balzano & Tropiano, Amara practiced law in Springfield, Massachusetts, where she handled a broad range of workers’ compensation and personal injury claims. Amara applies that experience to effectively resolving disputes, by truly understanding the best interests of her clients and working towards a successful resolution. Amara is licensed to practice law in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Such immersion into the practice of law across multiple jurisdictions has helped her develop an experience-based sensitivity to issues of equity and justice across diverse communities. Amara enjoys trying different cuisines and spending time with her family, friends, and Bernedoodle, named Pio. She also enjoys serving the needs of her community by volunteering her time with multiple organizations, including Habitat for Humanity and as a Board Member for the Enfield Safe Harbor Warming Center.

Howard S. Lipman

Throughout his legal career of more than 33 years, Mr. Lipman has worked to improve the lives of his clients. His practice is currently limited to representation of injured workers in Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability claims. Prior to joining Fine, Olin & Anderman, LLP he was engaged in a civil litigation practice, including Workers’ Compensation and SSD claims as well as personal injury, matrimonial and family law matters, and Estates and Trusts. Besides practicing before the Social Security Administration and Workers’ Compensation Board, he has appeared and tried cases before the New York State Court of Appeals, Appellate Division, Fourth Department of New York State Supreme Court, the NYS Supreme Court, Surrogate’s Court, and County and Town Courts throughout western New York. Mr. Lipman has lectured his colleagues in Continuing Legal Education seminars on the topics of Social Security, Workers’ Compensation and Americans With Disabilities Act. He regularly provides steward training and member education to several labor unions in Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties. In his personal life, Mr. Lipman is active in his synagogue and Masonic Lodge and is a volunteer at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.