Shipman & Goodwin, LLP
One Constitution Plaza
Hartford, CT 06103
860-251-5639 www.shipmangoodwin.com
Jim Bergenn's practice is comprised of complex criminal and civil litigation, including white collar crime and government investigations, substantial personal injury and wrongful death cases, and other trials involving substantial consequences. With more than 30 years of experience as a trial attorney and instructor, he is called upon regularly to use his trial skills, and experience with investigations and experts in diverse significant cases.
Jim handles a wide range of criminal cases, representing targets of investigations, criminal defendants, grand jury and other witnesses, and corporate and individual victims of crimes. He works in cases prosecuted by the gamut of federal, state and local authorities, such as the US Attorney's Office, The Chief State's Attorney's Office, State and Federal Grand Juries, the FBI, the State Police, the SEC, the DEA, the ATF, the DOD, the IRS, the FDA, the FTC, the Office of Inspector General for various Federal Agencies, the various state regulators such as the Attorney General, the DEP, the DOH, the DMR, the DCF, the Office of Consumer Protection, and the local police.
In the Personal Injury area, he represents people in all types of personal injury cases including accidents involving motor vehicles and motorcycles, products and premises liability, construction accidents, drownings, boating accidents environmental hazards and medical malpractice. He handles sexual assault cases on behalf of both adult and children victims. The injuries in the cases he has prosecuted include death, burns, RSD, paralysis, blindness and Legionnaire's disease. He uses technology to help jurors understand in simple terms what might otherwise be complex, including video reconstruction, videotaped depositions, and clear use of illustrations, charts, maps and highlighted documentary evidence. Most of his cases use expert witnesses, including accident reconstruction experts, and economic and medical experts to establish damages.
Distinctions
Named "Lawyer of the Year" (2018, 2021): Best Lawyers Hartford Region Criminal Defense: General Practice
Named "Lawyer of the Year" (2014, 2016): Best Lawyers Hartford Region Criminal Defense: Non-White-Collar
Listed as one of the Top 50 Lawyers in Connecticut by Super Lawyers® (2014, 2016, 2019)
Listed as a Connecticut Super Lawyer®: Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2006-2020); Personal Injury Plaintiff: General, Business Litigation (2006-2015)
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®: Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2009-2020); Criminal Defense: General Practice (2017-2020); Criminal Defense: Non-White-Collar (2009-2016); Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2018-2021); Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs (2018-2021)
Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star: Wrongful Death and Personal Injury (Plaintiff) (2012-2015)
Chosen as a member of The Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a voluntary membership organization that admits only attorneys who have won million dollar verdicts or settlements, and of which fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members
Firm is ranked Tier 1 by U.S. News and World Report andBest Lawyers as a Best Law Firm in both Personal Injury Litigation and Products Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
American Bar Foundation: Fellow
Catholic University of America: President's Award
Connecticut Statewide Grievance Committee for New Haven Ethics Panel
CBA Task Force on Confidentiality and the Courts Commission
CBA Task Force for Legal Education
State of Connecticut Judicial Branch: Advisory Commission on Wrongful Convictions
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
Connecticut Bar Association: Executive Committee, Criminal Justice Section; Executive Committee, Antitrust and Trade Regulation Section; Ex-Chair, Media and Law Section
Hartford County Bar Association
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association: Board of Governors
The Brain Injury Trial Lawyers Top 25
Community Involvement
American Constitution Society: Lawyers Steering Committee
Town of Glastonbury: Former Conservation Commissioner
Town of Glastonbury: Former Chairman, Democratic Town Committee
Town of Glastonbury: Former Boys and girls soccer and basketball coach
Lector and Religious Education Instructor
Hartford Apartment Improvement Program, Inc.: Former Board President