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HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 21, 2023 A9 2023 | 40 UNDER FORTY Robyn Gallagher is a partner at Wiggin and Dana LLP. She represents various clients in large-scale, multi-party litigation, with a focus on complex damages issues, general aviation matters and insurance coverage disputes. Before Wiggin and Dana, Gallagher clerked for Connecticut United States District Court Judge Alvin W. Thompson. Before law school, Gallagher was an accountant and earned her CPA. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? I regularly capitalize upon my accounting background to assist clients with complex damages issues. Recently, I successfully argued at trial that the court should pre- clude an opposing expert from salvaging an otherwise unsupported damages opinion. I accomplished this through last-minute revisions to his calculation, which could have increased damages by over $50 million. How are you involved in the community? I consistently give back to my hometown community of Coventry, serving as finance chair for the Town Council (an elected posi- tion); member of the Coventry Democratic Town Committee; and frequent volunteer within the schools, including as treasurer of the George Hersey Robertson School PTO. What do you like to do outside of work? When I'm not working, I enjoy playing board games with friends and family. I also enjoy crafting, including embroidery and counted cross stitch. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I endeavored to learn quilting and made several small quilts. I also enjoy reading and spending time with my kids. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Co-chaired one of the first remote bench trials in Connecticut, recovering a sev- en-figure judgment for her client. • Serves as a lead attorney in large-scale litigation, including a $20 million con- struction dispute and defending an $80 million contract dispute. • Co-chair of the firm's DRIVE: Women attorney subgroup promoting gender diversity, inclusion, and retention. • Uses background in law and accounting to volunteer, including as chair of the finance committee for the Coventry Town Council. Jonah Francis is a certified dementia practitioner and sits on the board of advisors for the ALZ Association. He is also the vice chairman for the Home Care Association of America. Francis' mission is to improve how we care for seniors living with dementia. Through his two companies — Pansy Homecare Service and A Better Way — Francis is helping families manage the daily challenges related to aging. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Our biggest accomplishment as an organiza- tion is developing a business process, with situational-based training, to help care- givers and clients increase their likelihood of providing successful support and reducing turnover by 50% of the industry average. How are you involved in the community? I am an advocate for seniors and people living with dementia. I volunteer as the vice chairman for the Home Care Association of America, and am a member of the board of advisors for the ALZ Association for Connecticut. What do you like to do outside of work? My family and friends mean everything to me, and I love spending time with them as much as possible. I also love taking pictures and can be found with a Canon camera in hand, or hanging over my shoulder, when I'm not at work. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Lead a family-owned business to being a multimillion-dollar organization. • Educates the community on dementia care and aging. • Provided care solutions to over 700 families in Hartford County. • Leading the charge to improve the state's home-care industry. Fun Fact I don't believe in bad days! A T T O R N E Y A D V E R T I S I N G For more information about Wiggin and Dana, contact James I. Glasser at 203.498.4313 or jglasser@wiggin.com CO NNE CTICUT I NE W YO RK I P HILA D E LP HIA I WA SHINGTO N, D C I PA LM B E ACH www.wiggin.com ___ Wiggin and Dana is proud to congratulate Robyn Gallagher and all of the "40 Under Forty" honorees Jonah C. Francis Age: 35 Company: Pansy Homecare Service LLC Title: Owner No. of years with current company: 7 Town where I live: New Britain Town where I work: West Hartford College: CCSU Highest degree: Bachelor's degree in finance Robyn E. Gallagher Age: 38 Company: Wiggin and Dana LLP Title: Partner No. of years with current company: 10 Town where I live: Coventry Town where I work: Hartford College: Western New England University School of Law, University of Connecticut Highest degree: Master's degree in journalism, UConn; J.D., Western New England University School of Law