Richard T. Meehan Jr. - a Bridgeport, Connecticut (CT) Criminal and Civil Litigation Lawyer

Bridgeport Criminal and Civil Litigation Lawyer

Updated: 05/12/2026

Areas of Practice

Criminal and Civil Litigation
Appellate Work
Family Law

Attorney Information

Overview

Richard T. Meehan, Jr. has established himself as one of the top trial attorneys in the State of Connecticut since his admission to the Bar in 1974. Richard T. Meehan, Jr. has excelled in the practice of law in successfully representing clients in criminal and civil cases. His skill and achievements have led to Richard T. Meehan, Jr. being certified as a CRIMINAL TRIAL SPECIALIST by the NATIONAL BOARD OF TRIAL ADVOCACY (NBTA).

Board certification is given only after a thorough screening of the credentials and trial abilities of an applicant, including: documentation of their experience, judicial and peer references, and after successful completion of a rigorous examination. Possessing the NBTA certificate means that the lawyer has been held to a higher standard of professional and personal conduct. NBTA lawyers maintain active trial practices and are required to submit a disclosure of misconduct annually, and meet the criteria for recertification every five years. Mr. Meehan, Jr. has successfully defended clients in many of the most highly publicized criminal cases in Connecticut. His widely recognized legal abilities have enabled Richard T. Meehan, Jr. to obtain multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in complex medical and dental malpractice and personal injury litigation. His success in personal injury cases has been featured in professional periodicals, as well as statewide print and broadcast media. Mr. Meehan's 2.6 million-dollar verdict against a surgeon, in 1995, is reputed to be one of the largest awards against a single physician in Connecticut to date. That case has been featured in the national media, and was the subject of an investigative series on Channel 3, Eyewitness News. His recent 1.2 million-dollar settlement for a machine operator who suffered a traumatic amputation is reported to be the largest tort recovery against an employer despite the limitations of Workers Compensation. Mr. Meehan has made a significant contribution to the development of Connecticut caselaw in a number of appellate cases, having argued before the Connecticut Supreme Court and the Connecticut Appellate Court on twenty-five appeals. Mr. Meehan also served as a consultant to the Rules Committee of the Superior Court in the drafting of the Rules of Practice in Criminal Cases first published in 1976.

He is a Past President of the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association, the youngest member then elected to this prestigious position. He has lectured frequently to the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association-People's Law School, Greater Bridgeport Bar Association, and Fairfield County Detectives School, and has held appointments as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Legal Studies Program at Sacred Heart University, and as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Quinnipiac College School of Law, where he teaches an advanced criminal trial practice course. In addition, he has served as an Alderman for the City of Bridgeport from 1974-1979 and during that time was twice elected President of the Bridgeport Common Council, a position second in authority to only the Mayor.

Richard T. Meehan, Jr. is admitted to practice in the State of Connecticut as well as the United Stated District Court for the District of Connecticut, Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Meehan has served as a volunteer Special Master in the Superior Court, conducting settlement conferences in personal injury cases, as well as having served on numerous panels as an arbitrator. In 1999 Mr. Meehan was appointed as a Fact Finder and Arbitrator for the Superior Court by the Chief Court Administrator. Mr. Meehan is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association, the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, and the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. Mr. Meehan began his legal career as a law clerk to Justice Herbert MacDonald of the Connecticut Supreme Court. A 1974 honors graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law, Mr. Meehan served as Research and Special Projects Editor of the Connecticut Law Review, and was the recipient of awards for excellence in the fields of Torts, Contracts and Criminal Procedure.

Mr. Meehan has been recognized in Who's Who in American Law; Who's Who in Connecticut, Who's Who in Society; Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America and the Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers. Mr. Meehan has served as a volunteer to numerous organizations throughout Fairfield County, most recently as President of the Advisory Board for Catholic Family Services. In addition, the father of five sons, he has been active in community youth organizations for the past twenty-five years. He has served as an officer and coach for the Shelton Youth Flag Football League and as assistant coach for the Boy's Varsity Basketball Team for Notre Dame High School of Fairfield.

Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

Richard T. Meehan Jr. included in a Super Lawyers® list

Honors

Lifetime achievement Award by the Conn Law Tribune, 2020 - Present
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, 1988 - 2021
10 Best Attorneys, American Institute of Personal Injury Lawyers, 2019 - 2021
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers, 2013 - 2021
Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2011 - 2021
Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, Trial Lawyer Honorary Society, 2007 - 2021
Fellow, American College of Board Certified Lawyers, 2013 - 2021
Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Connecticut, The National Trial Lawyers, 2010 - 2021
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Lifetime Achievement Award, The National Trial Lawyers, 2018 - 2021
Excellence in Medical Malpractice Award, Lawyers of Distinction, 2018 - 2021
Top Ten Criminal Defense Attorneys, Nationally Ranked, National Academy of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2017 - 2021
AVVO Rating 10/10
Recipient, United Way Community Builders Award, 2002 - 2021
Catholic Charities Volunteer of the Year Award, 2000 - 2021
Super Lawyers, Connecticut Magazine, 2006 - 2021
Top Fifty Lawyers, 2006, 2012, 2013
New England Super Lawyers, 2007 - 2021
American Jurisprudence Award for Torts, Lawyers Cooperative Publishing Company, 1972 - 2021
American Jurisprudence Award in Advanced Criminal Procedure, Lawyers Cooperative Publishing Company, 1972 - 2021
American Jurisprudence Award, Contracts, Lawyers Cooperative Publishing Company, 1972 - 2021
AVVO Client Satisfaction Award, 2014 - 2021
Ten Best, Client Satisfaction Award, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys, 2014 - 2021
Bar Registry of Pre-Eminent Lawyers
Who’s Who in American Law
Who’s Who in Society
Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders in America
Who’s Who in Connecticut
Who’s Who in the East

Other Sources of Feedback About Richard T. Meehan Jr.

Included on the 2026 Connecticut Super Lawyers list

Past Lists

2025 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2024 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2023 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2022 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2021 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2020 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2019 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2018 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2017 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2016 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2015 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2014 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2013 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2012 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2011 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2010 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2009 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2008 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2007 Connecticut Super Lawyers list
2006 Connecticut Super Lawyers list

Education

Legal Education
- University of Connecticut School of Law, Hartford, Connecticut, 1974
  J.D.
  Honors: With Honors
  Law Review: University of Connecticut Law Review, Board of Editors, Research and Special Projects Editor, 1973 - 1974
Non Legal Education
- University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA, 1970
  B.A.

Current Employment Position(s)

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Managing Partner
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Past Positions

Hon. Herbert S. MacDonald, Justice, Connecticut Supreme Court, Clerk, 1974 - 1975
Bridgeport Airport Commission, Commissioner, 1977 - 1979

Classes and Seminars

Fact Finder and Arbitrator, Connecticut Superior Court, 1999 - Present
Adjunct Professor of Law, Criminal Trial Practice, Quinnipiac University, School of Law, Hamden, Connecticut, 1997 - 2000
Adjunct Associate Professor, Paralegal Studies Program, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut, 1976 - 1979
Lecturer, Ethics for the Criminal Practitioner; how to keep from getting your ticket punched, Connecticut Trial Lawyer’s Association, 2008
Lecturer, Law and the Media, Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists, 2005 - 2006
Lecturer, Criminal Practice–The Rules Have Changed, Greater Bridgeport Bar Association Seminar, December 11, 1995
Lecturer, An Alphabet Soup Guide to the G.A., Greater Bridgeport Bar Association Seminar, January 31, 1994
Lecturer, Pretrial Diversion Programs and Alternative Dispositions in Criminal Cases, Greater Bridgeport Bar Association Seminar, 1989
Lecturer, Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association – People’s Law School, Fairfield University, 1988 - Present
Lecturer, Criminal Law, Fairfield County Detective School, 1988 - 1989
Criminal Procedure Rules Changes, Greater Bridgeport Bar Association News Brief, 1995
Opinion Columnist, “Another View”, Norwich Bulletin, 2007 - Present
Columnist, “Due Process” com, 2009 - Present

Pro Bono Activities

Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
City of Bridgeport, Board of Aldermen, 1975 - 1979
Bridgeport Common Council, President, 1977 - 1979
Christian Tomas Meehan Hope Foundation for SIDS, Founder
Christian Tomas Meehan Hope Foundation for SIDS, Director
Advisory Board of Catholic Family Services of Fairfield County, President, 1997 - 2004
Notre Dame High School, Fairfield, Connecticut, Advisory Board, 1992 – 2000; 2007- 2010
Notre Dame High School, Fairfield, Connecticut, Assistant Boy’s Varsity Basketball Coach, 1999 - 2001
Junior High School Boy’s and Girl’s Basketball, St. James, Stratford, Connecticut, Coach, 1983 - 1989
Junior High School Boy’s Basketball, St. Lawrence School, Shelton, Connecticut, Coach, 1990 - 2006
Bridgeport North End Little League, 1978 - 1985
Shelton American Little League, 1985 - 1993
Shelton Flag Football League, Coach, 1986 - 2005
Shelton Flag Football League, Vice President, 1991 - 1995

Representative Cases

State v. Damato-Kushel, CT. S. Ct.
- Year: 2017
McBurney v. Paquin, SC 18345 (CT. S. Ct.)
- Year: 2011
State v. Jennings, 101 Conn. App. 810
- Year: 2007
Efthimiou v. Smith, 268 Conn. 499
- Year: 2004
State v. Hall, 82 Conn. App. 435
- Year: 2004
State v. Orhan, 52 Conn. App. 231
- Year: 1999
State v. Vega, 48 Conn. App. 178
- Year: 1998
State v. Smith, 46 Conn. App.
- Year: 1997
Muller v. Muller, 43 Conn. App. 327
- Year: 1996
State v. Miller, 34 Conn. App. 258
- Year: 1994
State v. Rogers, 18 Conn. App. 104
- Year: 1989
State v. Boucino, 199 Conn. 207
- Year: 1986
State v. Cardona, 6 Conn. App. 124
- Year: 1986
State v. Sharpe, 195 Conn. 651
- Year: 1985
State v. Thompson, 5 Conn. App. 157
- Year: 1985
State v. Maiocco, 5 Conn. App. 347
- Year: 1985
State v. Cassidy, 3 Conn. App. 374
- Year: 1985
State v. West, 192 Conn. 488
- Year: 1984
State v. Falby, 187 Conn. 6
- Year: 1982
State v. Graham, 186 Conn. 437
- Year: 1982
State v. Kish, 186 Conn. 757
- Year: 1982
State v. Conger, 183 Conn. 386
- Year: 1981
State v. Gaynor, 182 Conn. 501
- Year: 1980
State v. Cosgrove, 181 Conn. 562
- Year: 1980
Norwalk Vault Co. v. Mountain Grove Cemetery, 180 Conn. 680
- Year: 1980
Liptak v. State, 176 Conn. 320
- Year: 1978
Sanchione v. Sanchione, 173 Conn. 397
- Year: 1977
State v. Huot, 170 Conn. 463
- Year: 1976

Published Works

Articles

Contributor, The Biggest Legal Mistakes Physicians Make, and How to Avoid Them, SEAK Publishing, 2005
Contributor, The American Encyclopedia of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, University of Tennessee

Bar Admissions

Connecticut, 1974
U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit, 1975
U.S. District Court District of Connecticut, 1975
U.S. Supreme Court, 1980

Specialties and Certifications

Certified Civil Trial Specialist, NBTA, 2009
Certified Pre-Trial Specialist, National Board of Trial Advocacy, 2009, 2014
Certified Civil Trial Specialist, National Board of Trial Advocacy, 2009, 2014

Other Affiliations

American Board of Trial Advocates, 2014 - Present (Member)
American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys, 2014 - Present
Bridgeport Bar Association
Connecticut Bar Association (Member)
Connecticut Bar Association, Federal Judiciary Committee (Member)
Connecticut Bar Association, Human Trafficking Committee (Chairman)
Connecticut Bar Association, Lawyer to Lawyer Dispute Resolution Committee (Member)
Connecticut Bar Association, Media and the Law Committee (Member)
Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (Member)
Connecticut Judicial Review Council, 2018 - Present (Alternate Member)
Connecticut Judicial Review Council, 2016 - 2018 (Chairman)
Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association (Member)
Fairfield County Bar Association
Greater Bridgeport Bar Association, Criminal Law Section (Chairman, 1981 - 1982, 1984 - 1985)
Greater Bridgeport Bar Association, Executive Committee, 1982, 1987 - 1990
Greater Bridgeport Bar Association, 1986 - 1987 (President)
Greater Bridgeport Bar Association Grievance Task Force, 1996 - 1997
International Academy of Trial Lawyers (Connecticut State Chairman)
Motorcycle Injury Trial Lawyers Association
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Member)
National Board of Trial Advocacy, Advisory Board
Trial Law Institute & Member, Diversity Law Institute (Member)

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Contact

Bridgeport, CT

76 Lyon Terrace
Bridgeport, CT 06604

Directions

Phone: 203-664-8059

Fax: 203-331-0107

Email: Send a message

Website: https://www.dentalmalpracticect.com

Credit Cards Accepted
Virtual Appointments

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Richard T. Meehan Jr. - Bridgeport, CT