Herbert Ira Mendelsohn

I entered the legal profession, quite simply, to try to make a difference (hopefully, a positive difference) -- to make a difference in people's lives, in the life of our community, in the life of our society. Whether it be to right a wrong that someone has felt they've experienced, seek justice for a client who's been injured because of someone else's negligence, or represent a claimant who needs assistance to receive those governmental benefits that they may be entitled to, being a lawyer gives me the opportunity to help make the law and our legal system work in the best interests of my clients and improve the quality of life for my clients and my community.

Since 1982, I've provided legal advice and assisted clients with personal injury claims of all kinds -- from general personal injury claims and motor vehicle accidents to claims of medical malpractice; from workers' compensation claims to claims for social security disability benefits. Throughout the entire process, I stand by my clients, support them, and serve as their advocate using my professional legal judgment every step of the way. I and my clients become as partners in a collaborative effort to arrive at the best result for them -- whether it be through litigating a claim through our court system to resolve a dispute over legal rights and damages, or negotiating a practical and expeditious resolution in the best interests of the client.

I'll come to you. Whatever the legal matter is, whatever the process is, it starts with a meeting -- a meeting between you and me wherever it's most convenient, most practicable, and most comfortable. Whether it's dealing with the painful effects of injuries from a motor vehicle accident or the stress of dealing with a sensitive personal issue, I would not want me or the legal system to add to that anxiety, stress and frustration. That's why I like to meet my clients on their terms -- at a time and place where they may feel the most comfortable and less stressed, whether that means meeting at my office overlooking the Green in downtown New Haven, sitting on the couch in the living room, sitting around the kitchen table, visiting at the hospital, or meeting at a favorite coffee shop.

Throughout our time together as we seek to resolve their legal problem, it's important that my clients feel that they are part of the process, not left to feel that they are left alone to jump over the legal hurdles that may lie ahead. We'll start with a relaxed conversation, you'll describe for me the facts of your case or issue, and we'll then discuss a strategy to obtain the best result possible in light of the facts that we are presented with. At all times during the course of the representation you will be kept reasonably informed about the significant developments of your case.

Let's begin.

In our community: Although an attorney, you won't just find me in the courtroom pleading cases on behalf of my clients, negotiating the resolution of legal issues with other attorneys or insurance companies, or fielding any number of telephone calls throughout the day putting out legal forest fires or just helping my clients navigate through the wilderness of the everyday legal problems that come up as we try to make our way through the everyday practice of life.

In addition to finding me trying to make sense of this legal thicket, you'll also find me participating in my community -- participating in those activities that help contribute to a vital and energetic community, and give additional meaning to my life as well. Whether it be as an active community volunteer with the United States Tennis Association (USTA), including being recognized as the USTA Connecticut volunteer of the year for 2017, a scoutmaster of my son's Boy Scout troop for several years, assisting my wife in her role as director of development and member services representative for the non-profit organizations that she has been associated with, being elected and appointed to local Boards and Commissions of my local town government, and participating in local community musical theater, participating in these activities is both personally fulfilling and rewarding and, hopefully, helps to contribute to promoting the vitality and energy of my local community for everyone to enjoy.

My life, of course, is not just made up of my work in the law and activities in the community. There is, of course, my family -- my wife, son, step-children and grandchildren, who all keep me grounded and keep me reminded as to what is most important in life.