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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.

Rodney Vining

Rodney Vining Jr., Esq., is the esteemed owner and principal attorney of our law firm. Born in California and raised in West Haven, CT, Rodney has always had a deep-rooted passion for helping people and a strong determination to establish his own practice.

Rodney obtained his college degree from Virginia State University before earning his Juris Doctor degree from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. His educational background has provided him with a solid foundation in legal knowledge and a keen understanding of the intricacies of the law.

Outside of his legal career, Rodney engages in a diverse range of hobbies and interests. He is an enthusiastic weightlifter and an avid runner, often participating in 5K races. Rodney also channels his creativity through music production, as well as finding inspiration in sports and various forms of art.

Recognized for his exceptional legal abilities, Rodney has been voted as a Super Lawyer for three consecutive years, from 2020 to 2023. Additionally, he is a proud member of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, further demonstrating his commitment to professional excellence and staying at the forefront of legal advocacy.

With a client-centered approach and an unwavering dedication to achieving favorable outcomes, Rodney is ready to provide personalized legal solutions tailored to meet your specific needs. Contact our firm today to benefit from Rodney’s extensive legal knowledge and his passion for helping you navigate your legal challenges.

Joaquin Madry

Joaquin Madry has significant experience litigating major catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases in federal and state court. He has tried numerous cases to verdict and has recovered more than $100 million for his clients. Joaquin has built an extensive record serving individuals and families who received substandard medical care or who were the victims of negligence, including the following few recent examples:

Joaquin is a frequent speaker on trial skills, advocacy, and career building. He is a board member of the Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity and the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association and is active in the Crawford Black Bar Association and the American Association for Justice Minority Caucus. He has been recognized by Law & Politics magazine as a Connecticut Super Lawyer every year since 2011. Joaquin has also been recognized by Best Lawyers in America.

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.

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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 attend 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, gaining her first hands-on experience in the criminal law field. After graduation, she moved back to Connecticut and worked as a Temporary Assistant Clerk in the GA22 office of Milford Superior Court for two years. In that role, Kaprice assisted people with criminal and motor vehicle cases, becoming familiar with many of the criminal and motor vehicle laws in the state.

Kaprice has had a passion for criminal law since she was a young girl, inspired by her awareness of how systemic racism affects the criminal justice system. Her goal is to help as many people as possible and advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves.

She was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in July 2021, the District of Columbia Bar in January 2021, and to the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut on December 11, 2023.