Leigh A. Newman

Problem Solver

Leigh Newman was always good at solving puzzles. In fact, she has competed in the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament annually since 1997, where she regularly finishes in the top 10 to 15 percent and has twice been the top solver in Connecticut.

As a partner in Day Pitney's Individual Clients Department, Newman applies those same analytical skills to solve her clients' problems.

"I see my role as helping my clients to achieve their planning goals, which often means solving a puzzle involving both family dynamics and tax implications," says Newman. "Each situation is unique."

Even though her father was a federal judge, Newman spent 14 years working at a large corporation after graduating from Princeton University before attending law school. Support and encouragement from her family helped her to make the decision to enter the legal profession.

"Although I started out pursuing a litigation career, I eventually realized it was not the best use of my skills. Happily, I found my way to the trusts and estates practice, which allows me to apply my aptitude for analyzing numbers and love of problem solving to situations facing our clients every day," says Newman, who received her J.D., with Honors, from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

Newman came to Day Pitney as a summer associate before she served as law clerk to The Honorable Richard N. Palmer of the Connecticut Supreme Court and to The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny of the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. She returned to the firm in 2000, and has since established herself as an integral part of both the firm and the communities it serves.

Newman was recently elected Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford and is a past Chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford. She also serves on the Alumni Schools Committee for Princeton University and has served as a member of the Planned Giving Committee for the Loomis-Chaffee School.

TRUSTS AND ESTATES

University of Connecticut School of Law, J.D., with Honors, 1995

Princeton University, A.B., 1978

Admissions: Connecticut