Most lawyer biographies recite education, practice areas, and other “accolades.” Those biographies tell you little about the person you trust to handle your most important matters. I will try to do a bit better in conveying who I am and how I practice law.

For those of you who want the basic stats, here they are. I grew up in Norwalk, Connecticut, and graduated from Lehigh University in 1990 with a B.S. in Finance, having spent my junior year studying at the London School of Economics. After a year as a “ski bum,” I attended and graduated from Brooklyn Law School in 1994.

My first job was at a small litigation firm in Manhattan. I handled all aspects of litigation matters, from intake, discovery, depositions, settlement, and trial if the settlement was unsuccessful. While I never fashioned myself a litigator, I quickly came to appreciate two things that guide me to this day.

First, litigation is the best training for new lawyers, which is surprising given most attorneys will never set foot in a courtroom or handle a lawsuit. In preparing for trials, I learned how decisions and lack of attention to detail early in a transaction could have significant implications years later.

Most importantly, I discovered I wanted to view my clients as more than just “cases” and have a practice where I had long-standing relationships with my clients. A practice where someone would call me, even with non-legal matters, because my judgment was trusted and my client needed a sounding board to make an important decision. A practice where a quick call with a simple question would not result in a bill 30 days later. A practice where my relationships with my clients were based
on mutual respect and an underlying business and personal relationship. This dedication to my clients is the cornerstone of my practice.

So, in 1998, I returned to my native Connecticut to build the practice I envisioned. I took what I learned from litigation and applied it to my present practice areas: real  estate, estate planning (wills and trusts), estate administration (probate), and all aspects of small business formation and representation. I chose these practice areas as  they promote and facilitate the development of ongoing relationships with my clients.

I also chose to live in the town where I practice, furthering interaction with clients. My wife and I raised our children here. I have coached multiple youth sports teams, most of which included the children of clients. I served on a variety of town boards and commissions, including a six-year term on the Planning & Zoning Commission, and held leadership roles in community organizations such as the Wilton Family Y, Wilton Chamber of Commerce, and Star, Inc. (an agency servicing children and adults with developmental disabilities). This community involvement has allowed me to build trust and familiarity with my clients, many of whom are also now my friends.

Our philosophy at Bayer Law is to treat our clients how we would like to be treated and provide personal, practical, comprehensive services at a fair cost. This commitment to our clients is unwavering. If you are new to the Firm, I hope to have the opportunity to meet you, and if you are already a client, I hope our paths cross soon.