Shipman & Goodwin Promotes New Partners and Counsel in 2023

Shipman & Goodwin LLP is pleased to announce that the following attorneys have been promoted to partner within the firm as of January 1, 2023:

• Danielle McGrath Braun
• Miriam Lewis
• Natalia Sieira Millán
• Sarah A. Westby

“From our corporate practice to our school law practice to our flourishing cannabis practice, these attorneys represent Shipman’s commitment to understanding each client’s unique needs, business, and industry,” said Leander Dolphin, Managing Partner. “We look forward to their continued growth and dedication to excellent client service, and we welcome their keen insights and legal strategy that drive our clients’ success.”

Danielle Braun’s practice focuses on public finance and municipal law. She represents Connecticut municipalities and taxing districts in all facets of general obligation and refunding bond issuances. Braun assists municipalities and taxing districts with Clean Water Fund financing and their overall participation in Connecticut’s Clean Water Fund Program. She is also a member of Shipman’s School Law Practice Group.

Miriam Lewis practices in the areas of corporate and commercial finance. She handles a variety of commercial transactions on behalf of her clients, representing financial institutions including banks, mezzanine funds, and other institutional investors in structuring, documenting, and closing complex senior and mezzanine financings. She also represents borrowers in complex finance transactions secured by commercial real estate and construction financing.

Natalia Sieira Millán is a member of Shipman’s School Law Practice Group and represents local and regional boards of education, regional educational service centers, and charter schools in all areas of school law. She teaches school law courses at the University of Connecticut Neag School of Education, the School of Education at Quinnipiac University, and Quinnipiac University School of Law. In addition to her pro bono practice representing minors in immigration matters, Millán serves on the Junior Board of Directors of the Family and Children’s Agency, and as a volunteer translator for the Starfish Connection and the Connecticut Association of Community Health Workers.

Sarah Westby is Chair of Shipman’s Cannabis Team and has quickly become the “go-to” counsel for regional cannabis businesses. In 2019, Westby began working with cannabis clients, building Shipman’s Cannabis practice from the ground up. Over the last three years, Westby has established Shipman as a leader in cannabis representation for business owners, advising clients on the formation and management of cannabis businesses, interpretation of state and federal cannabis laws, as well as social equity qualifications and partnerships. She serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for Simply Smiles, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that builds villages of foster homes in Native communities. Westby is also a member of Shipman’s Employment and Labor Practice Group.

Shipman also promoted three Associates to Counsel status:

• Dori Pagé Antonetti
• Aaron T. Baral
• Christopher J. Cahill

Dori Antonetti is a member of the School Law Practice Group where she represents a wide range of educational institutions, including both public and independent k-12 schools.  Aaron Baral is a member of the Business and Corporate Practice Group, where he represents a variety of companies and venture capital funds on corporate and transactional matters.  Christopher Cahill's practice focuses on business and commercial litigation, where he represents clients in commercial disputes, antitrust litigation, class action litigation defense, and alternative dispute resolution, including international arbitration.