People
Morgan Paul Rueckert

Morgan Paul Rueckert

he/him/his

Partner

Morgan Rueckert practices in the areas of criminal defense, government investigations, internal corporate investigations, tort litigation, and complex business litigation.

In criminal defense matters he represents individuals and corporations accused of crimes in federal and state courts, including computer crimes, bank fraud, perjury, sexual assault, spousal sexual assault, risk of injury to a minor, incest assault, DUI, possession and sale of controlled substances, gun crimes, manslaughter, larceny, welfare fraud, cruelty to animals, and infractions. He has also represented individuals and organizations in investigations by the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Labor (state and Federal), and the Office of the Attorney General. In addition, he assists corporations, public and private schools, group homes, universities, and public and quasi- public agencies in conducting internal investigations and defending against grand jury and legislative investigations. Morgan is a United Educators pre-approved investigator.

His civil practice has included representation of a major gun manufacturer in the municipal firearms litigation, a large accounting firm in a securities fraud action, and public and closely held corporations in business tort and breach of contract actions. He has represented organizations and individuals in defense of wrongful death actions and a public entity accused of a constitutional tort. He has represented individuals accused in civil court of misconduct including sexual assault and statutory theft.

Morgan represents individual plaintiffs in personal injury, qui tam and civil rights actions.

Morgan also advises and defends municipalities and educational institutions in a variety of litigation and problem solving contexts, including use of force, public safety issues, and citizen complaints.

Morgan has represented victims of harassment, fraud, and larceny in criminal proceedings, including securing restitution. He has also represented individuals pursuing petitions for writ of habeas corpus, civil rights actions, petitions for new trials, pardons, and appeals of criminal convictions.

While attending the University of Connecticut School of Law, Morgan represented persons accused of crimes through the Criminal Clinic. He also clerked at the United States Attorney’s Office.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Morgan was a United States Marine Infantryman.

Credentials

Education

University of Connecticut School of Law, J.D., 1998, high honors
University of Connecticut, B.A., 1994, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

Bar Admissions

Connecticut, 1998
New York, 1999

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court, District of CT, 1998
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

Distinctions

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®: Criminal Defense: General Practice (2025)
Listed as a Connecticut Super Lawyer®: Criminal Defense (2016-2024)
Criminal Justice Act Panel Attorney, appointed by the United States District Court
Connecticut Bar Association Trial Advocacy Institute: Graduate

Teaching Positions

University of Connecticut School of Law: Mark A. Weinstein Clinical Teaching Fellow and Adjunct Professor, Criminal Clinic

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association
Connecticut Bar Association: Criminal Justice Section
Hartford County Bar Association
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association: Executive Committee
Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association

Experience

Civil rights

$3,500,000 Settlement for Wrongful Death Caused by Regional SWAT Team

After years of litigation, negotiated a $3.5 Million settlement, which is the largest reported Section 1983 settlement in a civil rights claim for excessive force by law enforcement in Connecticut.

Criminal defense litigation

Conviction Overturned

Defendant entitled to a new trial.

October 9, 2024