Triple Threat: Tenacious, Tactical, Team Player

While a summer associate at Day Pitney, Andraya Pulaski Brunau's first hands-on legal experience was interviewing a pro bono client who was on death row. She had just completed a research memorandum for that case when the partner asked if she wanted to meet the client that afternoon. Andraya jumped at the opportunity.

"The client's past did not matter to me," Andraya says. "I was there to listen and help with a legal problem, and I knew that if I could find a way to get the client to trust me, it would be easier to get the client to discuss some of the more difficult topics." Her strategy worked. At the end of the interview, it was clear that her calm but persistent questioning had elicited key facts that would shape the overall strategy.

After graduating from Providence College, with a major in Mathematics and History, Andraya attended the University of Connecticut School of Law where she completed a semester-long internship at the Department of Justice. Following an appellate court clerkship, Andraya joined Day Pitney, where she has developed a diverse litigation practice that includes representing corporate and individual clients in intellectual property disputes, commercial and tort litigation, and complex probate matters.

Andraya spent her early years of practice gaining exposure to many types of litigation. A self-described utility player, Andraya worked on everything from multimillion-dollar breach of contract and products liability cases to probate, environmental, creditors' rights and employment disputes. She learned quickly how to manage multiple complex matters, to identify and prioritize key issues, and also gained significant courtroom experience. Andraya loved being in court and, in hindsight, feels those varied experiences laid the foundation for her success. Indeed, she has since argued successfully before the Connecticut Appellate Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Recently, Andraya has leveraged her commercial litigation background to serve the firm's intellectual property clients. She uses her knowledge of complex federal litigation and her proclivity for mastering the details of complex products, processes and systems, to help clients protect their creations against infringers or to defend them against intellectual property bullies.

Andraya strongly believes that successful litigators are creative, know the details of their client's business, and prioritize building a diverse litigation team to ensure no stone is left unturned and all perspectives are considered. An emblematic case for her is now up on appeal in the Second Circuit, following a favorable summary judgment ruling. "It was a complex matter involving many legal issues, more than 25 witnesses and tens of thousands of documents. We assembled a strong, diverse team of lawyers with different backgrounds and dug into every issue from every angle to best serve the client."

Andraya also applies creative thinking to prelitigation resolution, when it may be most favorable for a client. Her creative approach has resulted in the successful resolution of intellectual property and commercial disputes before trial, helping clients satisfy their business objectives while also protecting their legal rights.

Clients agree that Andraya not only masters the details, but also sees the big picture and litigates with intention and integrity in the face of tough opponents. Eduardo Lobos, Counsel for Viña Concha y Toro, S.A., notes, "Andraya has always been very close to, and concerned about, all the details in cases we've been involved in, and provides meaningful case updates and analysis with simple and illustrative examples."

Melanie Raubeson, Corporate Counsel at the LEGO Group, says, "Andraya doesn't back down from bullies or indulge silly gamesmanship. Andraya can cut through the weeds and distractions that come with tough and complex litigation and get to the heart of the legal matter. Her approach is both rational and strategic."

Andraya is grateful for her mentors at Day Pitney, who not only taught her the mechanics of how to be a great litigator and to deliver exceptional client service, but also exemplified how to litigate with purpose and integrity.

When Andraya is not assisting clients, she enjoys running, skiing and hiking, and spending time with her husband, daughter, golden retriever, family and friends.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND TECHNOLOGY

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

Providence College, magna cum laude, B.A.

Admissions: Connecticut, Massachusetts