People
Sarah E. Dlugoszewski

Sarah E. Dlugoszewski

Associate

Sarah Dlugoszewski is a member of the firm’s Business Litigation Practice Group. Though Sarah’s experience encompasses all types of litigation, tort liability–particularly personal injury and product liability cases–are Sarah’s focus. Sarah thrives on cases involving unique factual circumstances and does not shy away from unfamiliar territory. She calls herself a perpetual student and is always willing to dive into a new topic or area of the law.

Sarah earned her law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. While enrolled in law school, Sarah also worked full time for a major insurance company, managing and resolving bodily injury, environmental, construction defect, and other toxic tort litigation and claims on behalf of the company’s insureds. Sarah has extensive experience with complex insurance coverage issues through both her practice of law and former employment and is considered to be one of the firm’s go-to resources for insurance-related questions.

Sarah is passionate about serving her community and provides pro bono legal advice and representation to the veteran community. In particular, Sarah has successfully pursued discharge upgrades and secured service-related benefits owed to deserving veterans.

Credentials

Education

University of Connecticut School of Law, J.D., 2016
University of Connecticut, B.S., 2010, magna cum laude

Bar Admissions

Connecticut

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court, District of CT

Distinctions

Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America: Commercial Litigation (2024-2025)
Listed as a Connecticut Super Lawyer Rising Star®: Insurance Coverage (2021-2023); Civil Litigation: Defense (2024)
Recipient of the UConn School of Law Alumni Association’s “Graduates of the Last Decade Impact Award” (2023)
Recipient of the Connecticut Bar Association’s Anthony V. DeMayo Pro Bono Award (2022)
Oliver Ellsworth Inn of Court (2018-2020)

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association
Connecticut Bar Association
Connecticut Professionals Leadership Academy (2023)

Community Involvement

Connecticut Veterans Legal Center: Pro Bono Councilmember and Accredited Pro Bono Attorney

Experience

Catastrophic injury

$36,500,000 ARBITRATION AWARD - Defective Product - Catastrophic Burns to 3 Year Old Boy and 33 Year Old Father

Our clients, a 3-year-old boy and his 33-year-old father, suffered third degree burns to over 70% and 50% of their bodies respectively and we argued that a lithium ion battery exploded from an electronic device. We brought claims against the product assembler, distributor, and seller. After three unsuccessful mediations and more than 50 depositions, the claims were presented to an arbitration panel. The result of the arbitration was a gross recovery of $36,500,000 for our clients.

Product and tort

Won summary judgment in multi-party products liability wrongful death case

Served as lead defense counsel in Connecticut Superior Court for an international equipment lessor in a wrongful death case asserting claims of negligent entrustment and products liability. After more than one year of hard fought discovery, including the disclosure and depositions of technical, medical and damages expert witnesses, the court granted our Motion for Summary Judgment at the commencement of jury selection.

Real estate litigation

Pre-Trial Victory in Adverse Possession Case

The firm represented the Groton Long Point Association, Inc. (“GLPA”) in an adverse possession lawsuit brought by a group of owners of abutting properties on Groton Long Point. The litigation focused on certain narrow rights of way between the abutting properties that the plaintiffs claimed title to by virtue of adverse possession and as easements of necessity. GLPA had taken action over the years to maintain the rights of way and assert ownership over them for the enjoyment of all GLPA members.

Both sides filed pre-trial motions for summary judgment, asking the court to decide the case in their favor based on evidence obtained through pre-trial discovery, without conducting a full trial. The firm argued that GLPA was entitled to immunity from the plaintiffs’ claims because of its quasi-municipal status, and that the plaintiffs could not prove their adverse possession and other claims.

Joe Williams and Sarah Dlugoszewski of the firm’s Litigation Department presented the motion before Judge Steven Jacobs in New London Superior Court. Judge Jacobs returned a decision in GLPA’s favor on the ground that plaintiffs could not meet their burden to show that they adversely possessed the rights of way. In granting GLPA’s motion for summary judgment and denying the plaintiffs’ motion, the court entered a final judgment concluding the lawsuit in favor of GLPA without need of a trial. Read the full decision here.

October 9, 2024