How old are your kids and how long have you lived in Westport? I have a daughter who is 25, one who is 22, and a son who is 19. I grew up in Fairfield and have lived in Westport for 15 years!
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing? I sued the national Little League Association and the Town of Fairfield when I was 9 years old because I was not allowed to play baseball. After that experience, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. I have been fighting for my clients ever since! Today I am the Founder and Managing Partner of Needle | Cuda, a Westport based Divorce and Family Law firm actively serving Westport, Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Wilton, and Fairfield. I’m a 3rd generation lawyer, native of Fairfield, and have exclusively practiced Family Law in Connecticut for over 30 years.
Why did you start Needle|Cuda?
I started Needle|Cuda 10 years ago because I felt there was an opportunity to build a firm that carefully balanced the representation of its clients in a dissolution of marriage (a.k.a. Divorce) around BOTH the preservation of family and the aggressive advocacy of a client’s best interests. I found that most Family Law/Divorce firms in Fairfield County skewed their practices towards being either super aggressive or overly collaborative. I have always believed that a better balance could be achieved that offered the best of both worlds to each client. Needle|Cuda works relentlessly to strike that balance, accommodate the unique needs of each client, and protect the long-term interests of each family.
What 3 things do you keep on you nightstand? OR What 3 things are in your car at all times? A photo of my kids, GLOSS lip balm and my kindle.
What’s your favorite app right now- for you- and for your kids? The NY Times crossword and Find My Friends (I need to know where my “babies” are!)
What is one food you could not live without? Aux Delices ginger lemon tea
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I started an all moms/women’s fantasy football league so all the Moms could connect and have something in common with our teenaged sons!
If you weren’t doing what you are today, what do you think your career path might have been? I think I would have tried to become a Sports Newscaster
If you had 24 hours to do whatever you wanted to do, what would it be? I would try to squeeze in some tennis, time at the beach, some drinks, dinner, and of course dance – all with the ones I love
What is your most marked characteristic? My red hair
What was your most memorable family vacation and why? St. Tropez – do I even have to say why?
Are you a morning person, or a night owl? How does sleep fit into your life right now? I am and have always been a morning person…Sleep is SO important and I need a good 8 hours.
What is the first thing you do when you walk in the door after a long day? Give and receive love from Cooper, our Australian Sheppard
What is one thing you can’t leave home without? My phone
Who in your life was – or is – the greatest inspiration for what you’re doing today? My Dad…he is the greatest parent and lawyer of all time!
For more info, please visit the Needle|Cuda website here, or call (203) 429-4151.
