Meet Attorney Jonathan Shapiro
Jonathan Shapiro is one of the most well-known lawyers amongst Connecticut Lawyers. He joined Aeton Law Partners LLP as an owner and partner in 2019 after running a highly successful firm in Middletown for nearly 10 years.
A recognized Connecticut Super Lawyer from 2014 to 2018 and named to the Top 100 attorney list in New England from 2017-2018, Attorney Shapiro brings his extensive experience to the firm.
As the 95th president of the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA) from 2018-2019, he is now the Immediate Past President.
Litigation Experience
With a storied career in both federal and state courts in Connecticut and New York, Attorney Shapiro has made a mark in various areas such as commercial and complex matters, trade secrets, trademarks, securities, and more. His litigation practice includes:
Obtaining dismissals for Stephen King in copyright infringement cases.
Judgments in favor of taxpayers challenging tax assessments.
Judgment on behalf of an insured in a case brought by the insurer.
Victory for an in-store couponing business against a $3.9 million promissory note claim.
In fact, during the height of the Covid Pandemic, Jon was involved in a remote bench trial that spanned more than 100 days of evidence!
What His Clients Say
“I work with Jonathan Shapiro and he is very responsive to me. We work on a magnitude of things and he and his team are fantastic to deal with. I would strongly suggest you reach out to Aeton.”
“These guys rock! The attorneys are meticulous and knowledgeable, and at the same time have great intuition and are very street smart. The firm is also very well run.”
Community Involvement
Very active in the community, Attorney Shapiro is the President of Congregation Adath Israel in Middletown and a member of Middlesex Health’s Philanthropy Advisory Counsel. He’s also a past Chair of the March of Dimes Connecticut Chapter State Board.
Professional Associations and Memberships
In addition to his leadership within the CBA, Attorney Shapiro chairs the Rule of Law Committee and Legislative Policy and Review Committee. He also serves as a delegate for Connecticut to the American Bar Association House of Delegates and the New England Bar Association.
Publications and Speaking Engagements
A regular speaker at seminars, Attorney Shapiro has authored and moderated various topics ranging from succession planning and blockchain to handling difficult clients and starting your own practice.
Education
B.A. in History, Boston College, 1998
J.D., University of Connecticut School of Law, 2001
Bar Admissions
Connecticut State Bar
United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the District of Connecticut
Awards and Recognition
40-Under-40 Awards Dinner, Fairfield County Business Journal, 2011
“New Leader in the Law,” Connecticut Law Tribune, 2012
More About Jon
Attorney Shapiro resides in Middletown with his family and enjoys running, biking, reading, and quality family time.
Litigation & Trial Experience
On the litigation side, Attorney Shapiro has extensive experience in federal and state courts in Connecticut and New York, and before arbitration and mediation panels. He has tried numerous cases to verdict. His litigation practice focuses on commercial and complex matters including trade secrets, copyright, trademarks, securities, partnership and shareholder disputes, noncompetition, tax, employment, business torts, insurance coverage, securities, contract and property disputes. Attorney Shapiro also regularly serves as “local counsel” for non-Connecticut-based firms that are admitted to practice pro hac vice. Representative matters include:
- Obtained judgments of dismissal on behalf of Stephen King accused of copyright infringement in Acker v. King,46 F.Supp.3d 168 (D. Conn. 2014), appeal dismissed, 14-3908 (2d Cir. Feb. 26, 2015) and 2019 WL 1558623;
- Obtained judgment on behalf of taxpayer challenging tax assessments issued against him by Department of Revenue Services in Sobel v. Nicholson, 2017 WL 1240119 (under appeal);
- Obtained judgment on behalf of insured in case brought by insurer seeking a declaratory judgment that it had no duty to defend its insured in Seneca Insurance Company v. Q Sono et al., 2018 WL 2760356;
- Obtained judgment on behalf of in-store couponing business in claim that it breached the terms of a $3.9 million promissory note by continuing to engage in couponing business which was the subject of a sale, Alerion Investment Partners I, LP v. Valassis Communications, Inc., 2013 WL 5969059.
On the corporate side, Attorney Shapiro regularly represents and advises clients in the purchase and sale of businesses, contract negotiations, corporate governance, intellectual property matters, employment matters, risk management and blockchain technologies. As outside general counsel for numerous companies, Attorney Shapiro is available to provide day-to-day input on the many legal issues businesses encounter on a daily basis.
Attorney Shapiro is admitted to practice in Connecticut and New York, as well as before the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the District of Connecticut. He was honored by the Fairfield County Business Journal at the 2011 40-Under-40 Awards Dinner, and was named as a “New Leader in the Law” by the Connecticut Law Tribune in 2012.
In the media
Attorney Shapiro’s cases have been featured in various news media, including:
Seminars
- Moderator, Succession Planning and Leaving the Practice of Law, Connecticut Legal Conference 2019
- Moderator, What is Blockchain, and Why Should I Care, Connecticut Legal Conference 2018
- Moderator, Executive Orders: The Good, the Bad, and the Constitution, Connecticut Legal Conference 2017
- Moderator, The Battle Behind the Scenes: Handling Difficult Clients, Hostile Judges and Unethical Attorneys During Litigation, American Bar Association Litigation Section Annual Conference (New Orleans 2015);
- Co-Author, “Hold It! Avoiding Electronic Discovery Disasters with Effective Litigation Holds” (Elizabeth S. Fenton & Diana Rabeh, Reed Smith) and moderator on corresponding program at American Bar Association, Litigation Section Annual Conference.
- Author, “Extra-Territorial Application of Unfair Trade Practice Claims,” American Bar Association Business Torts Journal
- Moderator, Going Commando: Lessons from the Field on Starting Your Own Practice, Connecticut Bar Association Young Lawyers Section
- Panelist, Career Transitions, University of Connecticut School of Law Alumni Association
- Panelist, CAPABA Lunar New Year/Networking, Connecticut Asian Pacific Bar Association
- Panelist, Contract Negotiations, Meeting Planners International-Connecticut River Valley Chapter
Education
Attorney Shapiro earned his B.A. in History from Boston College in 1998 and his J.D. degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 2001. He lives in Middletown with his wife and children. In his spare time, he enjoys running, biking, reading, and spending time with his family.
Bar Admissions
Connecticut State Bar