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.

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.