Attorney Vincent Trantolo believed that the practice of law was a calling, not a career. Helping people who had been injured through no fault of their own was an honor worthy of absolute commitment and dedication. He graduated from Fairfield University in 1968 with a B.A. in History, then graduated from Suffolk University Law School in 1971 with his Juris Doctorate.
During his legal career, Attorney Vincent Trantolo set records in several State courts, including a $9.2 million Medical Malpractice case and a $4.5 million Product Liability case. He was a valued member of the Board of Directors for the CT Trial Lawyers Association, sharing his experience, knowledge, and wisdom while serving on the Ethics Board. Attorney Vincent Trantolo was also chosen by the Chief Justice of the CT Supreme Court to be a member of the Statewide Commission on Ethics in Advertising.
Attorney Vincent Trantolo firmly believed in the old saying, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going.’ He understood that it took more than just knowledge of the law to win. It required compassion for others and a passion for success. He was a lawyer who truly believed in what he did and one who refused to be intimidated.
History With the Firm
Attorney Vincent Trantolo saw a need for strong representation for people who were injured in various types of accidents, including automobile, motorcycle, truck, uninsured motorists, dog bites, and pedestrians. His law firm gave the average person who had been injured due to the negligence of someone else the opportunity to have the best legal representation without regard to their personal ability to pay. Attorney Vincent Trantolo strove to provide that help in a personal and caring way. He believed that everyone should be treated with the respect and dignity they deserved.
From 1971 onward, Attorney Vincent Trantolo helped more than 20,000 clients with his experienced attorneys and support staff alongside him. He established offices in Bridgeport, Hartford, Waterbury, New Haven, Torrington and two offices on Long Island. For over three decades, he was passionate about his firm and representing his clients. Attorney Trantolo treated and represented each one as if they were family; their injuries became his injuries, and their pain became his pain. He personally reviewed and oversaw every file. Vincent’s desire to help the wrongfully injured was evident in the following examples.
Attorney Vincent Trantolo’s Results
In 2007, Attorney Trantolo reached a settlement after one week of trial when his client suffered permanent severe brain damage after his vehicle was broadsided by a police car in pursuit of another vehicle. At $7,900,000, this was the largest police pursuit settlement in the state of Connecticut, which also compelled the Connecticut Police to rewrite their policies and procedures for responding to calls.
In 2001, one of the largest medical malpractice settlements in Connecticut was reached at $1,500,000. The estate of the client, a child, brought suit against a mental health facility for using improper restraint methods during a “time out,” which resulted in the child’s death. This case helped force the State of Connecticut to change its restraint laws to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Vincent not only spent time in the office but also supported many charitable organizations throughout the community. From participating in various motorcycle rides to organizing children’s events, community involvement was another passion of his. He also coached youth football, basketball, and hockey teams for 10 years.
Community Involvement
Vincent Trantolo was the Co-founder and past President of the Hartford County Bar Foundation, a member of the CT Trial Lawyers Association, National Mentors Association, Multi-Million Dollar Forum, and a legal instructor for trial practice with the Connecticut Police Academy. Attorney Trantolo was an innovator in law firm advertising and a pioneer in groundbreaking media and marketing innovations, which impacted both state and national legal communities since the mid-1980s. He fought his way to the Connecticut Supreme Court to challenge antiquated rulings and advertising traditions that forbade the use of television advertising by law firms.
In a landmark historic Connecticut case, Grievance Committee vs. Trantolo (January 3, 1984), Attorney Trantolo brought legal advertising into the 20th century, winning a Supreme Court decision that allowed the use of television in Connecticut law firm advertising for the first time. Vincent Trantolo created an indelible brand name throughout the state by effectively challenging the traditional status quo of legal marketing. Trantolo & Trantolo remained at the cutting edge of law firm marketing through its use of all media formats, including social media and the internet.
In Rememberance
Attorney Vincent Trantolo passed away peacefully on March, 25 2024, surrounded by his family, and loved ones. He was a legal visionary and an advocate for the wrongfully injured, who exemplified unwavering dedication, unparalleled expertise and an unbreakable commitment to justice. He leaves behind an indelible mark on the legal profession and the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him. The firm is proud to carry on the enduring legacy of Attorney Vincent J. Trantolo and his commitment to justice, compassion for others and dedication to legal excellence.
