oseph N. DeFilippo

Prior to forming DeFilippo & Russo llc, Joseph N. DeFilippo was a Senior Litigation Partner in the Hartford Office of Morrison Mahoney LLP. For the last thirteen (13) years, Mr. DeFilippo has litigated cases in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and as a visiting attorney in New York. His practice has concentrated in the areas of product liability, business, trucking, premises liability, general liability, construction zone catastrophes, real estate, and toxic torts. Mr. DeFilippo has also argued numerous appeals before the state and federal appellate courts, and has also handled probate appeals. Mr. DeFilippo has represented product manufacturers and developers, insurance companies, retail shopping center owners, construction companies, individuals and businesses of all sizes.

In addition to defending lawsuits, Mr. DeFilippo has provided legal advice to his clients regarding risk management, non-compete agreements, and breach of contract issues. Mr. DeFilippo has tried to verdict over forty (40) cases, many involving complex issues and high exposure, in both state and federal court.

Mr. DeFilippo was educated at Providence College (Providence, RI), where he graduated with honors, Notre Dame University (London, England) and Samford University (Birmingham, AL), where he graduated in the top ten of his class.

Mr. DeFilippo’s outside business and legal activities include the Connecticut Bar Association, and, for the last six years, he has served on the Executive Board of the Litigation Section. He is also a member of the Defense Research Institute (DRI) and the National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP). Mr. DeFilippo served on the faculty at the National Institute of Trial Advocacy Program in Connecticut 2001 through 2005. He is a frequent lecturer on litigation topics for both the Connecticut Bar and The National Business Institute.

racey Lane Russo

Prior to forming DeFilippo & Russo llc, Tracey Lane Russo was a senior litigation associate in the Hartford Office of Morrison Mahoney LLP. Since graduating from the University Of Connecticut School Of Law, Ms. Russo’s practice has concentrated in the areas of appellate practice, employment law, professional liability, product liability, general liability defense, and subrogation. Ms. Russo is a former law clerk to the Honorable Francis X. Hennessy of the Appellate Court for the State of Connecticut, is an experienced litigator having tried several jury and bench cases to verdict and is also an experienced appellate attorney having briefed and argued appeals before the Supreme and Appellate Courts for the State of Connecticut as well as the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

Ms. Russo is a frequent speaker at seminars focusing on litigation issues, and has written a manual on the topic of trial preparation for paralegals. In addition, Ms. Russo has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut School of Law teaching research and writing to first-year law students.

Ms. Russo is admitted to practice in Connecticut in both state and federal courts.  She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association, and the New Haven County Bar Association.

Ms. Russo is a graduate of New York University (1993 B.A., magna cum laude) and the University Of Connecticut School Of Law (1997 J.D.). While at the University Of Connecticut School Of Law, Ms. Russo was Associate Editor of the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal, was a member of the executive board of the Connecticut Moot Court Board, was appointed by Chief Justice Callahan to the Connecticut Legal Internship Committee, and served as a member of the Student Bar Association.