Joseph C. Maya believes in providing large firm experience but with small firm communication and attention. His practice areas of the law include divorce, employment, personal injury, criminal and tax law. Joseph is a Managing Partner of Maya Murphy, the firm he established in 1993 located in New York, NY and Westport, CT.

Attorney Melissa Needle is a lifetime Connecticut resident. She was born in New Haven, raised in Fairfield, and now resides in Westport with her family. Attorney Needle is a third generation attorney with deep family roots in Connecticut. Her father, Attorney Charles Needle, was a founder of the Connecticut firm Zeldes, Needle & Cooper in 1971. Since her admission to the Connecticut Bar in 1990, Melissa has exclusively practiced divorce and family law. Melissa started Needle | Cuda: Divorce and Family Law in 2010. The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys named Needle | Cuda a Connecticut Top 10 Best Firm in Client Satisfaction in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Attorney Needle is an active litigator with an impressive track record. Many of the cases in which Melissa appears involve high net worth divorce property division, complex business valuations, highly contested custody, and petitions for child relocation. She is well-known in Connecticut courts as a forceful, but fair fighter; an attorney with great integrity; and as a worthy adversary who does not shy away from litigation if that path is the best opportunity for her client to reach an equitable solution. Melissa understands that divorce is not just about the dissolution of marriage or stop-gap solutions but helping clients develop and negotiate a comprehensive plan for the rest of their lives.

Since his acceptance to the bar, Mark has practiced exclusively in the area of matrimonial and family law, including complex divorce actions involving significant assets and child custody issues, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and he has represented clients in Connecticut and New York trial courts, as well as the Connecticut Appellate Court. Prior to joining the firm, Mark was an associate at Aronson Mayefsky & Sloan LLP, with offices in Greenwich and New York City, where he represented clients both in Connecticut and New York. He also previously practiced at a prominent family law firm in Greenwich, Connecticut. Mark has been selected as a Rising Star in the area of Family Law by SuperLawyers each year since 2015. Mark is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Family Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association, and serves on the CBA Legislative Committee. He was previously a Co-Chair of the Family Law Section of the Young Lawyers Section Executive Committee. Mark is also an active member of the American Bar Association, New York State Bar Association and Fairfield County Bar Association.

Alexander J. Cuda is a highly respected family and matrimonial law attorney. With numerous published articles and speaking engagements, Alex’s leadership in family law is well-known. He has been named one of the “Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in Southern Connecticut” by such organizations as the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys (2017). The Connecticut Law Tribune recognized him as a “New Leader in the Law,” in 2014. Attorney Cuda was recognized and rated as a SuperLawyers Honoree in both 2019 and 2020 was a SuperLawyers “Rising Star” from 2012 to 2018. The Connecticut Bar Association Family Law Section also recognized him as a “Rising Star” in 2010 and 2011. He was honored to receive the Connecticut Bar Association Pro Bono Award (2009) and has a 10 star “superb” featured attorney rating on Avvo. Alex is an experienced negotiator and advocate whether in litigation, mediation, or arbitration. He also provides skilled representation in family and matrimonial appeals. Alex is known for his forceful advocacy, responsiveness, and clear communication as well as his compassionate understanding of each client’s unique needs. He handles both custody and complex financial matters. Alex lives with his family in Fairfield County. Alex been extremely active with community service organizations focused on the prevension of Deomestic Violence, Spousal Abuuse, and Child Abuse. In October of 2020 Alex received the Purple Ribbon Award from the Greewich YWCA’s Center for Domestic Abuse Services for his outststanding commitment to the victims of dometic violence.

Gerald C. Shea is an attorney specializing in Tax and Estate law, including Connecticut probate, IRS Defense and IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosures.

Daniel P. Weiner has served people in Fairfield County and throughout the state of Connecticut for nearly 40 years. He and his staff are committed to providing effective legal counsel and serious, aggressive representation to people dealing with a wide range of legal matters, including criminal charges, juvenile matters, personal injury or divorce and family law issues.

Attorney Gans is known for competence, integrity, compassion, and the use of effective resolution tactics. While we are experienced and prepared to take a case to trial when necessary, we focus our efforts on resolving family disputes in an amicable nature where possible. As a result of our collaborative resolution approach, we have earned the respect and confidence of family court judges and personnel as well as former clients. This reputation helps our divorce and probate lawyers immeasurably when a case must go to trial.

Attorney Kimmel is a Senior Partner whose primary practice area is civil litigation with a focus on family law and general civil litigation including personal injury. Attorney Kimmel is admitted to practice law in the courts of the State of Connecticut as well as the Connecticut federal district courts. He is a member of the Connecticut, Milford and Fairfield County Bar Associations, as well as the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America). Greg Kimmel is a graduate of Roger Williams University School of Law (J.D. 1997). He received his M.B.A. in management from Sacred Heart University in 1997 and his undergraduate degree from the University of Rhode Island (B.A. 1991). Greg currently serves as the Chairman of the Pension and Retirement Board of the City of Milford of which he has been a member for the past 7 years. He previously served as the Vice Chairman of the building committee for the Orange Avenue Athletic Complex. Greg is the former president and long time board member of Birchwood Country Club. In his spare time Greg has been actively involved in coaching youth athletics in Milford.

Deena R. Merlen is a Partner at the firm. She serves clients at both our New York and Stamford offices and heads the Connecticut practice. Her practice areas include intellectual property, employment and labor law, media and entertainment, general business law, commercial transactions and dispute resolution. In her employment practice, Ms. Merlen is a trusted “go to” problem solver and counsel to individuals, established name brand companies and startups alike. She has extensive experience representing clients in matters including general counseling, discrimination actions, mediations and dispute resolution, investigations by federal or state agencies, as well as wage and hour claims and other labor law matters. She also advises on and regularly negotiates employment and separation agreements, independent contractor arrangements and other services-related arrangements. Ms. Merlen also counsels clients on employment and business matters in response to a crisis or other unexpected business impact, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting business closures, including continuity plans, employee furloughs, reductions in force and other critical measures. In her intellectual property practice, Ms. Merlen helps her clients with the development, acquisition and protection of their valuable brands and other vital intellectual property assets. She manages and grows trademark portfolios in the U.S. and internationally; negotiates licensing, assignment, distribution and branding agreements; prosecutes trademark and copyright registrations; enforces intellectual property rights; and provides strategic counsel to safeguard brand platforms and expand the value of her clients’ intellectual property assets. Ms. Merlen’s media practice encompasses the development and protection of creative works in the fields of music, film, television, theatre, publishing, literary arts, performing arts, design and technology. She ran her own business in the entertainment industry for over a decade and brings that business experience and acumen to her legal practice. In addition, Ms. Merlen provides general business counsel and represents clients in company and transactional matters such as partnerships, joint ventures, licensing arrangements, the purchase or sale of businesses, and a wide range of other corporate matters, including company formation, capitalization and governance, compliance and contracts. Representative clients include technology companies, schools and other academic institutions, personal care and beauty companies, fashion and design companies, media, arts and entertainment companies, wholesalers, retailers and more. Prior to her work with RPJ, Ms. Merlen served as Law Clerk to The Honorable Roger J. Miner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, after which she joined Debevoise & Plimpton, where she practiced for over five years in the areas of corporate law and intellectual property. Ms. Merlen is admitted to practice in Connecticut and New York.

Mr. Rodie is a lifelong Stratford resident. He proudly followed his father, Attorney Wilfred J. Rodie, Sr. into the practice of law. Mr. Rodie graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University in 1983. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1986. He was admitted to practice law in Connecticut in 1986 and over his career has appeared before Judges of the Superior Court in many courts throughout the State. Mr. Rodie has served as an Attorney Fact Finder/Arbitrator at the request of the Connecticut Chief Court Administrator for many years. He is a member of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association and the Connecticut Bar Association. Mr. Rodie has been recognized as a Connecticut Super Lawyer by Connecticut Magazine. He is rated AV Preeminent, the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards by Martindale-Hubbell.