J. DEMATTIE Christopher

I started working at age 13. My first job was as a little league umpire, where I quickly learned how to maintain composure, order, and control while dealing with emotionally charged parents and coaches. By age 16, I woke up early each summer morning to cut the grass and rake bunkers at Race Brook Country Club. During college, I worked as a construction laborer, landscaper, gravedigger, waiter, boat cleaner, and marketing assistant for UConn athletics. I will consistently outhustle and outwork everyone else.

I always wanted to help people resolve their problems, not review paperwork for corporations or government agencies. During law school, I took as many trial classes as possible and was fortunate enough to train under some of the top trial lawyers and Judges in Connecticut. After taking an advanced family law trial class during my last semester of law school, I knew I wanted to practice family law exclusively because I could immediately help people going through some of the most challenging times of their lives.

I learned early on that I can most effectively help people resolve their family law problems by serving as a trial lawyer and standing up for what is most important to them. Being a trial lawyer does not mean I take every case to trial. I carefully listen to my client’s goals, interests, and concerns. I pride myself on timely returning every phone call and email. Once I get to know my client, I can help them make smart decisions and guide them every step of the way. This diligent guidance always includes discussing the pros and cons of settling or going to trial. That decision is always my client’s to make. While I will use my trial experience to help you, we will work together to create a plan to solve your unique problem. My personalized client-focused approach has most often led to very favorable results.

The skills I learned in those trial practice classes prepared me to represent people immediately after law school. I tried (and won) my first hearing less than six months after being sworn into the Bar. I then started trying many cases, including some of the most complex financial and high net worth cases in Connecticut. You cannot become a good trial lawyer by sitting on the sidelines.

I since received numerous awards and recognitions and developed a reputation for successfully litigating difficult custody, substance abuse, and child relocation cases. Now, I am sometimes brought into cases by other lawyers to serve as the trial lawyer after settlement discussions failed.

However, for every case I successfully litigated, I settled dozens more because I am practical and know the “value” of a case. By being in Court regularly, I see firsthand what Judges are doing, so I know the current trends and expected outcomes. In my experience, you can often settle a matter more favorably if you are prepared for trial, especially if your spouse’s lawyer is not prepared. Being prepared is one of the few factors a lawyer can control at a trial, so I make sure no one is as prepared and organized as me.

At Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC, we put complex legal issues into language that you can easily understand. We work hard to help our clients in every situation. We treat our clients with respect and spend time to make sure they fully understand the process they are going through. No matter how bad things get, we are here to help our clients put their lives back together and set them up for future success and happiness.