Atty. Brian W. Colistra
Brian Colistra has an impressive legal career with expertise in several practice areas, including aviation, product liability, premises liability, general liability, and asbestos defense. He has led over 100 bench and jury trials as the primary trial counsel, securing numerous directed and defense verdicts for his clients.
Profile Summary
About Brian W. Colistra at a glance
Brian W. Colistra is a Partner based in Westport, Connecticut, practicing at Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP. They have 28+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1998. Their practice focuses on personal injury, employment, business, workers comp, and product liability. Admitted to practice in New York U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York U.S. District Court, Northern District o (1998). Educated at New York Law School (J.D., 1995) and Canisius College (B.A., 1991). Recognitions include Peer Reviewed. Serves clients in Westport, CT and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Brian Colistra has an impressive legal career with expertise in several practice areas, including aviation, product liability, premises liability, general liability, and asbestos defense
- He has led over 100 bench and jury trials as the primary trial counsel, securing numerous directed and defense verdicts for his clients
- With five years serving as an Assistant District Attorney, finishing in the Violent Felony Unit, he refined his trial skills, maintaining a remarkable record in felony and misdemeanor convictions, establishing himself as a tenacious trial attorney
- Transitioning to civil practice, Brian continued his zealous advocacy by defending a wide range of high-profile cases across multiple U.S. jurisdictions
- In his national aviation practice, he represents airport owners, aircraft manufacturers, and other industry vendors in cases varying from complex aircraft crashes to simple accidents on airport property
- Notably, he defended a renowned motorcycle company against asbestos-related wrongful death claims
- Brian's litigation achievements and his expertise in handling intricate wrongful death cases led a Fortune 500 insurance company to engage him to defend a high-profile residential fire incident that garnered national attention
- Additionally, he serves as the primary regional counsel for an A+ rated insurance company, defending claims of premises, product, general, and automobile liability
- A 2020 selection to Connecticut's Lawyers of Distinction, Brian has been a lecturer for the New York State Bar Association and has provided in-house Continuing Legal Education classes for insurance adjusters
- Experience • Appellate Win in New York Forklift Accident Case 4.9.24 In The News Appellate Win in New York Forklift Accident Case Honors & Recognitions Connecticut's Lawyers of Distinction (2020)
Practice Areas Explained
Brian W. Colistra's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Brian W. Colistra handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Brian W. Colistra is one of 238,048 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Connecticut →
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Brian W. Colistra is one of 151,622 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Connecticut →
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Brian W. Colistra is one of 452,854 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Connecticut →
Workers compensation lawyers help injured workers get medical care, lost wages, and disability benefits. Free consult, no fee unless you win.
Brian W. Colistra is one of 49,806 workers comp attorneys indexed nationally. Browse workers comp attorneys in Connecticut →
Brian W. Colistra is one of 60,257 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in Connecticut →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Connecticut
Practicing law in Connecticut. Legal matters in Connecticut are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Westport are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Connecticut state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Connecticut brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Connecticut courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Connecticut attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Westport or all attorneys in Connecticut.
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