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Sheldon Poole

Sheldon Poole primarily defends corporate clients in product liability and environmental toxic tort litigation.

Sheldon has substantial experience handling complex personal injury and property suits involving alleged catastrophic injuries, including wrongful death and survivorship claims and claims involving environmental contamination. He also has experience in representing high profile product manufacturing clients in multi-district litigation. Sheldon handles all phases of litigation in cases pending in multiple states and has been effective at attacking claims through successful motion practice on behalf of his clients. 

Before joining Shook, Sheldon served as a liaison counsel for the Connecticut asbestos defense group, plaintiffs and courts involved in the Connecticut asbestos docket. He also handled matters in several other areas of law, including premises liability, commercial litigation, retail and hospitality law, entertainment, employment, and construction defect matters. Sheldon successfully litigated claims in more than 10 different states and in a variety of venues, including solar panel companies in contractual and environmental disputes, multiple hotel chains in housing-related matters, and employers accused of wrongdoing.

Sheldon is dedicated to pro bono service, with a focus on housing-related matters. He is a 2017 recipient of the “Loving Civil Rights Award” for his outstanding and significant work for the Connecticut Fair Housing Center.

Bar Admissions

Education

Awards

Memberships

Community Involvement

Ronald Johnson

Experienced trial lawyer, Ronald S. Johnson, has always believed that great things will happen to those who keep God first and treat people right. After growing up in Albany, New York, in the inner city, he is proud to not only be an African American attorney but to be a positive role model for young people throughout Connecticut, where his firm is based. As the founder of Law Offices of Ronald S. Johnson & Associates, Ronald specializes in high end federal cases, serious state cases, and civil litigation, particularly in the realm of personal injury.
Located in downtown Hartford, the Law Offices of Ronald S. Johnson & Associates have been representing and fighting for people of color since 1992. Although they started out as a criminal defense firm, focusing on serious felonies and murder cases, Ronald and his team were so successful at the trial level that they have since added associates and now offer more areas of practice including immigration and personal injury. The majority of the office clients are African American, Hispanic, or of Caribbean decent, and the legal team is dedicated to advocating for those individuals as well as their families. They also represent a number of professional athletes including clients in the National Football League (NFL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA).
According to Ronald, the characteristics that set him apart from other attorneys are his passion, confidence, and determination. He was an athletic basketball player throughout his youth, so he likes to approach law the same way that he approached the sport. "It's all about being a team player and showing that you are determined, focused, and prepared," explains Ronald. In fact, he makes it clear that he is not someone who tries to "buck the system" because he believes a person can become better as a result of knowing different people and developing a network of relationships.
Ronald also takes pride in being trustworthy, which he considers essential when making legal decisions for those he represents. He views his clients as members of his own family and genuinely enjoys assisting them. As a result, he makes sure that he is easily accessible and that his clients can reach out to him at any time, especially those involved in serious accidents and personal injury cases.
Prior to starting his own firm, Ronald earned his master's degree from Syracuse University's Maxwell Citizenship of Public Affairs, the nation's top ranked school for preparing public administrators. While working on his master's, he pursued his Juris Doctorate at Syracuse University School of Law in Syracuse, New York, where he obtained both degrees and then officially began practicing law in 1991.
Most recently, Ronald has become passionate about representing professional athletes as a certified NFL contract advisor as well as being actively involved in non-profit organizations. He serves as board chair for the Wilson Gray Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) while also sitting on the board of the Greater Hartford YMCA. The Hartford organization services the entire county, covering over a dozen different YMCAs and providing programs and support to almost one million people.

Kaprice Bonaiuto-Blatche

Kaprice was born and raised in Connecticut. She earned a Bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Mount Ida College in Newton, Massachusetts in 2016, and then went on to the Charleston School of Law in Charleston, South Carolina, where she earned her JD in 2019. While in law school, Kaprice interned with criminal defense attorney Chad Shelton, where she gained her first experience in the criminal law field. After law school, Kaprice moved back to Connecticut where she worked as a Temporary Assistant Clerk in the GA22 office of Milford Superior Court for two years. While in that position, Kaprice helped people with their criminal and motor vehicle cases and became familiar with many of the criminal and motor vehicle laws in the state. Kaprice has had a passion for the criminal law since she was a young girl, from witnessing how systemic racism plays a big role in the criminal justice system. Her goal is to be able to help as many people as she possibly can, and advocate for those who do not have the means to advocate for themselves.

Kaprice was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in July 2021, and is also is admitted to the District of Columbia Bar, and has been since January 2021. She was admitted into the bar for the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut on December 11, 2023.

Lucas Watson

As a native of Hartford, Connecticut, Lucas M. Watson, Esq. has dedicated his practice to providing client-focused representation to those in need of legal services throughout the State of Connecticut. Attorney Watson provides invaluable knowledge and expertise in personal injury, criminal workers' compensation, and family matters.

In personal injury and worker's compensation, Attorney Watson has tackled cases ranging from simple to complex in motor vehicle collisions, wrongful death, medical malpractice, defective product matters, and work place injuries. He has tried numerous personal injury cases to verdict and, during his career, he has achieved six figure results on behalf of his clients.

Prior to founding the Law Office of Lucas M. Watson, Attorney Watson began his legal career with an accomplished practitioner. During this time, Attorney Watson honed his skills by working on several large and complex cases. In addition, he attended national and state-based lawyer seminars and legal education courses to increase his legal knowledge. While working with the accomplished practitioner, Attorney Watson learned that cases are won through persistence, dedication, and hard work. One must always stay in tune with the ever-changing landscape of the law and never be afraid to take a case to trial.

Aside from his determination to provide the best for his clients, Attorney Watson is dedicated to improving the Greater Hartford community as well. He currently dedicates his time developing the professional skills of youth and adults in the community. Thus far, he has been involved in various community services projects for the Greater Hartford Black Male Youth Initiative, Urban League of Greater Hartford - Young Professionals, George C. Crawford Bar Association, Statewide Legal Services, and has served as a mock trial judge for the Civics First Mock Trial Competition. Attorney Watson proudly serves on the First Choice Health Services.

Areas of Practice

Personal Injury
Criminal Defense
Workers' Compensation

Litigation Percentage

100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions
Connecticut, 2006
U.S. District Court District of Connecticut, 2008

Education

Massachusetts School of Law, Andover, Massachusetts
J.D.
Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, Connecticut
B.A.
Major: Business Economics

Classes/Seminars

Death of Workers' Compensation, Connecticut Trial Lawyer
The Corporate Attack, Workers' Compensation Section

Honors and Awards

National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40, January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40, January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40, January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014

Professional Associations and Memberships

Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association, Member, 2014 - Present
Pound Civil Justice Institute, Fellow, 2013 - 2016
Hartford County Bar Association, Member, 2010 - Present
Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Member, 2009 - Present
American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, Member, 2008 - Present
American Association for Justice, Member, 2008 - Present
American Association for Justice, Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway and Premises Liability, Member, 2008 - Present
Connecticut Bar Association, Member, 2007 - Present
Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, Member, 2007 - Present
American Bar Association, Member, 2007 - Present
Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, Workers' Compensation Section, Vice President, 2015 - 2016

Past Employment Positions

McCoy Law Firm, Associate, January 1, 2007 - May 1, 2010

Pro Bono Activities

Board Member; First Choice Health Centers, July 1, 2014 - Present

Previous Names

Law office of Lucas M. Watson

Chardynea Crossdale

Chardynea Crossdale is an Associate Attorney in the Foreclosure Department at McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC, based in Hartford, Connecticut. Licensed to practice in both Connecticut and the District of Columbia, she specializes in real estate law and foreclosure proceedings.

Chardynea earned her Bachelor of Arts in Administration of Justice from Howard University, where she was recognized for her academic excellence as a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She went on to obtain her Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she was a member of the Dean’s List and the prestigious Moot Court Honor Society.

At McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, she manages a high volume of foreclosure cases, drafts and reviews legal documents, and provides strategic counsel to clients. She represents private lenders and Fortune 500 banks in real estate transactions, mediations, and dispute resolution hearings across Connecticut courts.

In addition to her legal experience, Chardynea served as a Legislative Fellow for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee on Capitol Hill, researching public policy issues related to civil liberties, free speech, and media representation. She also contributed to legislative communications through press releases and social media engagement.

Chardynea’s outstanding legal skills and professional contributions have earned her recognition as one of The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 in Connecticut, an honor reserved for the most talented African American attorneys in each state.

With a strong foundation in real estate and intellectual property law, Chardynea is committed to expanding her expertise and making a lasting impact in the legal field. Her passion for advocacy and dedication to client success continue to drive her professional growth.

Memberships