Claudia M. Sklar

Biography

Claudia M. Sklar has been actively engaged in the litigation of general civil and commercial matters, with an emphasis on creditors’ rights including commercial and residential foreclosures, commercial law, and title insurance litigation for over 40 years. Her practice also includes:

• Residential and commercial real estate
• Commercial leasing
• Default servicing
• Landlord/tenant litigation, eviction
• Commercial financing
• Loan workouts
• Bankruptcy, debt restructuring
• General business matters

Supported by a highly skilled team of attorneys and professional staff, Claudia prides herself on providing both individual and institutional clients with the personal attention and responsiveness that they deserve. Ever mindful of staying current with legal developments and approaches, and the delays and frustrations in utilizing traditional court-based litigation, she recognizes the need for Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation (ADR). She has mediated the resolution of many contested matters through ADR, and successfully completed the mediation skills training program at the Quinnipiac University School of Law Center on Dispute Resolution.

Another major focus of Claudia’s practice centers around protecting and preserving the rights of same sex couples, LGBTQIA clients and their families. Claudia and various other members of the firm bring an empathic perspective to the planning required to be sure that a client’s life decisions are properly documented. Recognizing the ever-changing landscape of the law with regard to members of the LGBTQIA community, she draws upon her broad-ranging background and experience to assist individuals and same-sex couples and their families on all legal issues, including:

• Co-parent and second parent adoptions for same-sex couples
• Custody
• Estate planning, including wills and trusts; probate matters between unmarried couples
• Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements
• Co-habitation agreements
• Powers of Attorney
• Advanced healthcare directive; medical and end-of-life decision making
• Real estate transactions, including joint tenancy agreements
• Business planning
• Dissolution of marriage; termination of relationship and property division

Claudia graduated summa cum laude from Adelphi University and was an honors graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law. She is admitted to the Connecticut State and Federal District Court, Bankruptcy Court, and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. She has appeared and argued before the State of Connecticut Appellate and Supreme Courts.

Claudia is a member of the Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section of the Connecticut Bar Association, and for many years was a member of the Board of Directors of the Hartford Association of Women Attorneys. She has acted as Parlimentarian of the Shennecosset Yacht Club, and is active on the By-Laws and Membership Committees, serving as a mentor for new members.  She is an avid runner and was a member of the inaugural Go-The-Distance Team for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, founded by Paul Newman for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Claudia has successfully completed numerous marathons and half-marathons.

Professional Memberships

Honors & Awards

Community

Bar Admissions

• Connecticut
  
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit
  
• U.S. Federal District Court
  
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court