Moodus, CT

Kathryn M. Cunningham

Attorney Cunningham is the managing partner at Jackson O’Keefe. She grew up in Ellington and currently resides in Simsbury. She handles personal injury and litigation matters throughout the State of Connecticut. She has been a member of the Connecticut bar for over 25 years. Her practice includes litigating tort claims involving construction accidents, motor vehicle accidents, playground injuries, premises liability and medical malpractice. She has successfully defended numerous employment claims and is a member of the Appellate Practice Group. She volunteers with CASA of Southern Connecticut and is a licensed real estate salesperson.

Joseph M. Busher Jr.

Attorney Busher is a partner with the firm and has been a member of the Connecticut bar for over 25 years. He has a wide variety of litigation experience, principally addressing insurance defense, insurance coverage, personal injury and appellate matters throughout the State of Connecticut. He also represents individuals and businesses in estate planning and litigation matters. He served as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Connecticut School of Law, teaching appellate practice and procedure. He has received an A-V rating from Martindale-Hubbell and the CLMP designation as a Certified Litigation Management Professional.

Peter K. O’Keefe

Attorney O’Keefe grew up In Wethersfield and currently resides there with his family. Attorney O’Keefe handles personal injury and litigation matters throughout the State of Connecticut, including clients in Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Middletown, Old Lyme, Hartford County, New Haven County, Middlesex County, New London County, and Litchfield County. Peter K. O’Keefe has been a member of the Connecticut bar for over 35 years. He was admitted to the Connecticut bar and the U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut in 1985, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1987, and to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1989. Since joining the firm in 1985, Attorney O’Keefe’s practice has concentrated in all areas of litigation, including construction litigation, products liability, medical malpractice, municipal law and insurance defense. He has extensive experience as a mediator and arbitrator. Attorney O’Keefe has also presented seminars to insurance claims representatives as part of their continuing education. Attorney O’Keefe is a member of the Hartford County and Connecticut Bar Associations, the Connecticut Defense Lawyers Association, and the Defense Research Institute.

Philip R. Dunn Jr.

Attorney Dunn grew up in West Hartford and currently resides in Farmington with his family. Attorney Dunn handles personal injury and litigation matters throughout the State of Connecticut. Since joining the firm in 1988, Attorney Dunn has concentrated in the litigation of tort and contract claims, as well as employment litigation involving Title VII discrimination actions and age discrimination cases. He has wide experience litigating automobile and premises liability claims, including lead paint litigation, and is one of the few attorneys in Connecticut to try a lead paint poisoning case to a defendant’s verdict. Attorney Dunn obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairfield University in 1985 and obtained his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Connecticut in 1988. He was admitted to the Connecticut bar in 1988, to the U.S. District Court, District of the Connecticut in 1989, and to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1995. He is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, as well as the Connecticut Defense Lawyers Association. Attorney Dunn currently serves on the Farmington Water Pollution Control Authority. Attorney Dunn was an elected official in the Town of Farmington and served as the Chairman of the Town Plan and Zoning Commission for six years. He has also served as the Secretary of the Commission and its representative to the Capitol Region Council of Governments. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Janis K. Malec

Attorney Janis K. Malec is a highly experienced trial attorney at Jackson O’Keefe, specializing in personal injury cases such as automobile accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and product liability. With over 25 years of practice, she has successfully tried more than two dozen cases to verdict. She also successfully briefed and argued Streifel v Bulkley, 195 Conn. App. 294 (2020), before the Connecticut Appellate Court. What sets Attorney Malec apart is her unique background as a registered nurse, which enhances her ability to assess her clients’ medical situations and ensure they receive the appropriate treatment. This expertise complements her role as a zealous advocate and fierce negotiator on behalf of her clients. When a reasonable settlement cannot be reached, Attorney Malec fearlessly takes the fight to the courtroom. She has also achieved favorable resolutions through arbitration and mediation in numerous cases. Attorney Malec obtained her law degree from Western New England College School of Law, building upon her previous accomplishments, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Arts in Child Welfare from Saint Joseph College. Her commitment to the legal profession extends beyond her practice, as she serves as a neutral in arbitrations, pre-trials, and fact finder trials at the Hartford Superior Court. She is an active member of the Connecticut Bar Association, serving on the House of Delegates, as well as the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association. Additionally, Attorney Malec previously contributed her expertise as a member of the Board of Directors of the Business Women’s Forum. Attorney Malec’s dedication to her community is evident through her past involvement on the Wethersfield Board of Education, where she served from 2005 to 2009 and held the position of Vice Chairperson from 2011 to 2013. Outside of her professional life, Attorney Malec enjoys dining out, watching movies, weight training, and traveling. Attorney Malec is a Connectiuct native and currently resides in Wethersfield.

Matthew J. O’Keefe

Attorney O’Keefe grew up in Wethersfield and currently resides in Old Saybrook. Attorney O’Keefe handles estate planning and probate, real estate, land use, and general practice matters, and assists in personal injury matters throughout the State of Connecticut, including clients in Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Middletown, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Hartford County, New Haven County, Middlesex County, New London County, and Litchfield County. Matthew J. O’Keefe is a partner in the Wethersfield office of Jackson O’Keefe, LLP. Since joining the firm Mr. O’Keefe’s practice has concentrated on all aspects of estate planning, including wills and trusts, estate administration, and real estate transactions of a wide variety including the representation of lenders, developers, buyers, and sellers. He also counsels many businesses and corporations and works with his clients to select and form the best business organization for his clients’ needs.

Mary B. Ryan

Attorney Mary B. Ryan has been engaged in the practice of law in Connecticut for over forty years. She held a one-year judicial clerkship and then joined a general practice law firm handling estate planning, real estate, and personal injury cases. She served as the first in-house general counsel for a construction industry client for sixteen years. She later joined a Hartford area law firm focusing on construction division matters and now focuses on motion practice and non-standard discovery at Jackson O’Keefe.