July 1, 2024
Murtha Cullina LLP continues to expand its client services with the addition of two new attorneys and a new office location in Bantam, Connecticut. Following the recent announcement of a Combination Agreement with Harris Beach PLLC, Murtha Cullina continues to grow, adding Mary M. “Molly” Ackerly to its Trusts & Estates practice as counsel and J. Michael Sconyers, who will become of counsel in the firm’s Litigation practice.
Also joining the firm are paralegal Gail Nacunas and legal administrative assistants Jennifer Ryan and Kathleen Gangell. The team will practice from Murtha Cullina’s new Bantam office location, formerly a location of Ackerly Brown LLP, where Molly and Michael were partners.
Molly’s practice involves sophisticated estate planning, estate and trust administration, and elder law for families and individuals. She also assists clients with real estate and taxation matters. Molly serves as a Connecticut delegate to the Uniform Law Commission and is on the Probate Court Rules Advisory Committee. Molly served as a Probate Judge for the District of Norfolk from 1987 to 1994 and served on the Executive Committee of the Connecticut Probate Assembly.
Michael is a seasoned civil litigation attorney. Much of his practice includes title litigation and advising clients on general civil matters. He also works with several Connecticut towns, representing the officials responsible for collecting delinquent tax payments. Michael previously practiced in the areas of civil and probate litigation, real estate, charitable organizations, and planning and zoning law. Michael also had a successful military career, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel in 1990 after 20 years of active and reserve service.
Gail joins Murtha Cullina with more than 35 years of experience as a paralegal. She drafts wills, trust agreements and incapacity documents. She also manages estate administration files from commencement through closing, including the preparation of probate documents and estate and fiduciary income tax returns.
“This is a time of unique growth at Murtha Cullina. As part of that growth, we are delighted to welcome Molly and Michael along with their Bantam, Connecticut team to our Trusts & Estates and Litigation practices. Their depth of experience and trusted reputation make them valuable additions to the firm,” stated Managing Partner Andy Corea.
The addition of the Bantam office and the new team members comes almost two months after Murtha Cullina and Harris Beach signed a Combination Agreement to form a regional powerhouse in the legal industry. The new firm will be known as Harris Beach Murtha once the firms officially combine on January 1, 2025. Murtha Cullina and Harris Beach are each leading law firms in their respective geographies and offer complementary services. Together, Harris Beach Murtha will offer greater strength and reach throughout an expanded geographical footprint on the Northeast Corridor and throughout upstate and Western New York, accelerating the growth strategy of both firms. The combination will create more robust capabilities to meet and exceed clients’ needs and support them as they navigate increasingly complex legal and regulatory environments.
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