Umberger, Rodney L.

Paul T. Tusch began his legal career in 1985 with a focus on civil and family law litigation.  Over the next twenty years, Paul continued to practice in these litigation fields while also assisting the firm develop its extensive real estate and land use practices.  As the firm's reputation for and experience in family law grew, Paul's concentration and focus moved to the practice of family law, where it remains today.

Paul is chairman of the Family Law practice group at Cacace, Tusch & Santagata.  The Group consists of four attorneys and two legal assistants, each of whom devotes from 50% to 100% of his or her time to the practice of family law.  The Group prides itself as a team of high caliber professionals who are hardworking, dedicated and sensitive to the needs of their clients. 

Paul has achieved an AV rating from his peers as reported in Martindale-Hubbell.  The AV rating is awarded to those attorneys whose peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.  He has also been recognized by his peers for inclusion in Connecticut Super Lawyers and New England Super Lawyers as reported in Connecticut Magazine.  The Super Lawyer designation is the result of a survey conducted of approximately 13,000 active Connecticut lawyers, culminating in the selection of the top 5% in the state.

Paul has served on the Executive Committee of the Connecticut Bar Association Family Law Section since 1993, having held all of the officers' positions including the Section's Chair.  He lectures regularly for the CBA and other organizations on topics related to family law.  He has served as a Special Master in family courts throughout the state, including those in Stamford, Bridgeport and the Regional Family Trial Court in Middletown.

Areas Of Practice:
 Family Law
 Real Property
 
Reported Cases:
Maze v. City of Stamford, 228 Conn. 915, 636 A.2d 847 (1993)
 
Newbury Commons Ltd. Partnership v. City of Stamford, 226 Conn. 92, 626 A.2d 1292 (1993)

Connecticut Health Facilities, Inc. v. Zoning Board of Appeals of City of Stamford, 29 Conn. App. 1, 613 A.2d 1358 (1992)

Omnipoint Communications, Inc. v. Planning & Zoning Commission, 83 F. Supp.2d 306 (D. Conn. 2000)
  
Bar Admissions:
 Connecticut, 1985
 U.S. District Court District of Connecticut, 1986

Published Works:
The Art of Appraising the Marital Residence, Connecticut Law Tribune, April 6, 1998

Meaningful Relief for Taxpayers Selling Real Estate, Connecticut Law Tribune, March 2, 1998

Equitable Estoppel, Laches and Waiver Defenses in Alimony and Support Arrearage Proceedings, Connecticut Family Lawyer, Summer, 1995

Professional Associations and Memberships:
Connecticut Bar Association, Family Law Section, Executive Committee Member, 1993 - Present; Treasurer, 2000 - 2001;Secretary, 2001 - 2002; Continuing Legal Education Chair; 2002 - 2003; Vice Chair, 2003 - 2004; Chair, 2004 - 2005

Connecticut Bar Association, Real Property Section

Connecticut Bar Association, Lower Fairfield County Young Lawyers Section, Vice Chairman, 1988 -1989

Stamford/Norwalk Regional Bar Association, Executive Committee Member, 1990 - 1994

Stamford/Norwalk Regional Bar Association, Co-Chairman, Real Estate Committee 1994 - 1999

Stamford/Norwalk Regional Bar Association, Chairman, Law Day Committee 1990

Fairfield County Bar Association, Member

Community Service:
Stamford Youth Foundation, 2004 - Present,
Corporate Secretary and Member, Board of Directors

North Stamford Little League, 2006 - Present, Member, Board of Directors; 2007 - Present, President

The Volunteer Center of Southwestern Fairfield County, 1996 - 2004, Member, Board of Directors; 2000-2002, First Vice President; 2002-2004, President

Our Promise, The Campaign for Fairfield University, 2001-2002
Class Chair

Connecticut Yankee Council Boy Scouts of America,
Greater Stamford Tribute Award Luncheon, 2001-2002,
General Chairman

American Red Cross, Stamford Chapter, 1993 - 1999 Member, Board of Directors; 1994 - 1996 Vice-Chair; 1996 - 1999 Chair

Teen Life Center, 1994 - 2001
Member, Board of Directors and Corporate Secretary

First Night Stamford, 1987 - 1991
Member, Board of Directors and Corporate Secretary

Stamford Federal Little League, 1992 - 1995
Member, Board of Directors

Education:
University of Bridgeport School of Law, Bridgeport, Connecticut, 1985
 J.D.
 Honors: Recipient, Moot Court Award, 1983

Law Review: Staff Member, University of Bridgeport Law Review,
1983 - 1984 Law Review: Notes and Comments Editor, University of Bridgeport Law Review, 1984 - 1985

Fairfield University, 1982 B.A.