Cramer & Anderson Partner Josh Weinshank and Associate Abigail Miranda have been named 2017 New Leaders in the Law as part of the Connecticut Law Tribune’s annual statewide Professional Excellence Awards.
This year’s New Leaders in the Law were announced Aug. 28. Professional Excellence Awards winners will be honored at the Connecticut Legal Awards Dinner Oct. 3 at the Bond Room in Hartford.
See the Connecticut Law Tribune’s Professional Excellence Awards Booklet
“There are 25 recipients of the New Leader award this year, hailing from law firms throughout the state and covering varied areas of the law, from litigation to criminal defense, probate and education law,” the Connecticut Law Tribune (CLT) said in announcing the winners online. They were chosen by outside nominations and internal review.
Attorney Joshua Weinshank
In nominating Attorney Weinshank, Partner Ken Taylor said he represents “the epitome of a New Leader in the Law” by engaging in “high-caliber volunteer community service” as a way of giving back, while also laying the groundwork for cultivating new clients and driving growth and success for the firm.
In 2016 Attorney Weinshank was appointed to the new Planned Giving Advisory Council formed by Ability Beyond, the Connecticut organization helping “thousands of people with physical and mental disabilities discover their abilities and become a part of their communities.” Less than a year later, based on his leadership, Attorney Weinshank became Co-Chair of the committee.
Earlier this year, Attorney Weinshank was named to the Associate Board of the Danbury Hospital & New Milford Hospital Foundation. Directors work with Foundation staff to foster charitable giving in support of the mission of the hospitals and their parent entity, Western Connecticut Health Network.
The role is more vital than ever in a time when hospitals seem to be under assault from state and national governments, leaving hospital foundation boards with heightened responsibility to raise funds for services, programs and initiatives, including efforts to support doctors and for new technology.
Both of these recent leadership roles dovetail with Attorney Weinshank’s primary Practice Areas, Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration, and Elder Law & Special Needs. Though he is the firm’s youngest Partner, Attorney Weinshank is leading a bold plan for Cramer & Anderson to grow those Practice Areas strategically in Fairfield County.
“The drive to help others selflessly, and to capitalize on challenging opportunities to elevate the firm, make Attorney Weinshank a perfect choice for a New Leaders in the Law award,” Attorney Taylor said in nominating Attorney Weinshank.
Attorney Abigail Miranda
In nominating Attorney Miranda, Partner John Tower cited her “highly engaged caring” as the attribute responsible for helping a young Associate blossom into a leader in client service, pro bono and reduced fee work, and volunteer community service.
Attorney Miranda’s primary Practice Areas are Divorce & Family Law, Personal Injury Law and Civil Litigation, and Attorney Tower offered examples of the intersection of that highly engaged caring with impressive results.
On the Connecticut Legal Services, Inc. list of attorneys dedicated to helping those in need, Attorney Miranda took a pro bono custody case to trial in the summer of 2016. She secured a significant modification to a custody agreement for a woman who had been allowed to see her child only in a clinical setting.
In an ongoing pro bono custody case, Attorney Miranda is advocating for a mother seeking a safe environment in which to reunite with her child. The former spouse was abusive, and the proceeding is complex.
Within the past year, Attorney Miranda has also become a force in community service. She was named to the board of the Women’s Center of Greater Danbury in November 2016, and was recently asked to join the board of the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce.
In the Women’s Center leadership role, Attorney Miranda is guiding networking events and fundraising for a capital campaign that will support a new shelter in Danbury, among other important initiatives.
These efforts and others mentioned by Attorney Tower have also made Attorney Miranda a leader in fostering growth for Cramer & Anderson. The selfless caring she exudes, her genuine nature and the feeling of trust she instantly creates position her to naturally develop clients and cases.
“Tough but compassionate, a beacon for the firm in essential community volunteer roles, dedicated to taking pro bono cases to aid and empower women in need, relentless in pursuing optimal outcomes but always collaborative, cordial and diplomatic, Attorney Miranda is truly a New Leader in the Law,” Attorney Tower wrote in his nomination letter.
Both attorneys may be reached at (860) 355-2631. Attorney Weinshank’s email is jweinshank@crameranderson.com and Attorney Miranda’s is amiranda@crameranderson.com.
The firm has offices in New Milford, Danbury, Litchfield, Washington Depot and Kent. For more information, call the New Milford office at (860) 355-2631 or see the website at www.www.crameranderson.com.
