Our Staff

Michelle Coope

Michelle is a Paralegal at Suisman Shapiro, supporting Attorney Robert Keville.  She has been with the firm for more than eighteen years, working in various areas including personal injury, civil litigation and currently in workers’ compensation:  Federal, State and defense.

Ms. Coope holds an Associate of Science Degree in Legal Studies from Mohegan Community College, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Eastern Connecticut State University.  She earned her Paralegal Certification from the University of Connecticut.

Judith E. Flemming

Ms. Flemming joined the firm in February of 1987, originally providing secretarial support for Attorney James Brennan in the municipal department. She currently provides paralegal support for Attorneys Eileen Duggan, Hinda Kimmel, Andrew Brand, Michael Carey and Bryan Fiengo in the labor and employment department and the municipal law department in the preparation and presentation of litigation matters before administrative agencies and state and federal courts. 

Ms. Flemming provides legal research, gathering and outlining pertinent information and drafting documents, to assist in the investigation of claims against municipal and private sector clients, and to prepare for grievance arbitration and court hearings. She works closely with the attorneys and clients to get accurate information for drafting responses to complaints, motions and discovery requests.

She is also responsible for providing support to the attorneys in the research for and development of materials used in providing seminars and training for clients and various community organizations on topics such as Family Medical Leave Act, Sexual Harassment Training and Freedom of Information.

Ms. Flemming has been a long-time resident of Southeastern Connecticut, growing up in Groton, attending Mitchell College, and now living in Gales Ferry. She is active in the music program at Ledyard High School and enjoys running, kayaking and backpacking.

Christine Gravelin

Christine is a Paralegal at Suisman Shapiro who works in the Civil Litigation Department (motor vehicle accidents, products liability and medical malpractice), supporting Attorneys John A. Collins, III, Matthew E. Auger, Michael V. Sage and Matthew Shafner.

Ms. Gravelin holds an Associate of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies from Becker College in Worcester, Massachusetts, graduating in 1993.  She returned to college in 2002 to complete her Bachelor of Science Degree from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, graduating with honors in 2004, Magna Cum Laude.  She is also a Notary Public.

Christine was born and raised in Norton, Massachusetts and moved to Connecticut in 1998 when she began her employment at SSWBGG.  Prior to joining Suisman Shapiro, she worked at major firms in Worcester and Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island.  Christine has been a resident of New London County since 1998 where she lives with her husband and two sons.

Aileen Greene

Aileen joined Suisman Shapiro in 1980 and returned to the firm in 2006, working in the Business Law/Estate Department for the last three years. She is a Notary Public, holds a Paraprofessional Certification, a CT Safe Boating License and has been a small business owner. 

Aileen lives in New London with her two children and actively supports their high school activities.

Pat Latham

Pat is a Paralegal who supports Attorneys Michael A. Blanchard, Jeffrey W. Hill, Robert G. Tukey and Martin Schoepfer in the Criminal and Family Law Departments at Suisman Shapiro.  She has been with the firm for over nine years.  Pat is also a Notary Public.

Joanna Lazarus

Joanna is a Paralegal at Suisman Shapiro who works in the Civil Litigation Department (motor vehicle accidents, products liability and medical malpractice), supporting Attorneys Matthew Shafner, John A. Collins, III, Matthew Auger, and Michael V. Sage.  She holds an Associate Degree in Business and a Paralegal Certificate from the University of New Haven, as well as a Bachelor Degree from Eastern Connecticut State University.  She is a Notary Public.

Joanna has been with Suisman Shapiro since 2008.  Prior to joining the firm, she worked for Attorney Matthew Shafner for ten years at O'Brien, Shafner, Stuart, Kelly & Morris in the Personal Injury Department. 

Twice a week, Joanna volunteers her time during lunch hour at the Jennings Elementary School in New London, working with the second grade class.   Joanna lives in Waterford with her husband and two sons.

Gale McCarthy

Gale is a Paralegal who has been with Suisman Shapiro for over 23 years, having earned her Paralegal Certification from the University of Connecticut.

For the past 20 years, Gale has provided Paralegal support to Attorney James Berryman, specializing in State and Federal Workers’ Compensation matters as well as Social Security Disability matters.

When she first joined the Firm in 1986, she supported Attorney Richard Schatz and then subsequently supported Attorney Dennis Murphy, specializing in civil litigation/personal injury matters.

Constance J. Vogell

Connie is a Paralegal who has been with Suisman Shapiro since 1998, supporting Attorneys Jeanette Dostie and Lawrence J. Greenberg.  She also assists other members of firm in need of probate work. 

Connie graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science.  She earned her Paralegal Certificate in 1987 from Hartford College for Women (now the University of Hartford).  Connie has also completed various courses at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work, and has studied art at the University of Connecticut, the University of Hartford, Old Lyme Academy of Arts, the Guilford Art Center and Anne Culver’s Studio 404 of Guilford, CT.  Additionally, she holds various certifications for attendance at probate seminars sponsored by the State of CT Office of the Probate Administrator, the Judge’s Institute and the National College of Probate Judges. 

Ms. Vogell continues to serve as the Probate Judge in Westbrook, CT since her election in 1994. 

Mary H. Wyatt

Mary is a Senior Paralegal at Suisman Shapiro who works in the Labor, Employment and Municipal Department and focuses on all aspects of collective bargaining, from the preparation of proposals to the presentation of issues in binding interest arbitration hearings.

Ms. Wyatt regularly assists with the development of employee handbooks, personnel policies, job descriptions and the investigation of discriminatory practice complaints against both public and private sector employers.  She is responsible for assisting in the preparation of responses to CHRO, EEOC, and OSHA complaints.

Ms. Wyatt received her Bachelor Degree from Ball State University in 1982 and joined the firm in December 1988.  She is an Associate member of the Connecticut Bar. 

Mary is a Girl Scout Leader and previously served for numerous years as a member of the Allocation Cabinet of the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut.