Mark A. Perkins

I am a New Hampshire native but spent the majority of my legal career in Connecticut. After ten years as a claims adjuster and manager for Allstate Insurance Company, I decided to attend law school in Connecticut. When I graduated, I began trying cases for Allstate as Staff Counsel. For two years I defended personal injury cases for Allstate's auto and property insureds. This experience was an invaluable crash course on case development, discovery, client communication and trial advocacy. I left Allstate to join a small private firm that allowed me the opportunity to build on my litigation experience and develop skills in other areas of practice, such as real estate, probate, and municipal defense. I spent over a decade with this firm, where I tried numerous cases in State and Federal Court, as well as defended three appeals to the Connecticut State Appellate Court and State Supreme Court. Subsequently, I joined one of Connecticut's largest law firms. My focus at this firm was primarily litigation. I represented several Connecticut municipalities and their employees in State and Federal Court. My cases involved personal injury claims and alleged civil rights violations, such as alleged violations of 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1983, excessive force, defamation, and false arrest. In addition to handling municipal liability cases, I gained significant experience conducting discovery in medical malpractice cases, common carrier cases, and real property disputes. My experience also includes representing clients in various alternative dispute resolution forums, such as arbitration and mediation.

My almost twenty-five years of experience has largely focused on civil litigation, and I like to think of my role, whether it be in a litigated matter or a real estate transaction, as protecting my clients' rights and seeing they get the best outcome possible based upon the circumstances. I believe communicating with the client and keeping them informed is imperative to a successful outcome. I have found that the best way to help my clients navigate the stressful experience of being a party to a lawsuit is to hear their concerns, explain what to expect, set reasonable expectations, and to keep them informed. 

On a personal note, I like to stay fit, so I work out regularly, take long walks and love to cook. When I can, I like to travel. I take weekend excursions to Montreal, New York and Florida. When I have the time, I love to visit Europe. I enjoy volunteering my time for community projects as a member of the Portsmouth Rotary. I believe it is important to give back to the community as a whole and to those that have been less fortunate than myself.
 

Representative Matters

•            Defended a major insurance company's insureds in auto and premise liability lawsuits.
•            Represented Connecticut Towns and Cities in defective highway cases.
•            Represented Towns in personal injury cases arising from fallen trees.
•            Represented coaches in personal injury cases arising from engaging in school activities and after school activities.
•            Represented Town’s in defamation cases.
•            Represented a school teacher against a claim that her actions in the classroom caused select students to suffer PTSD.
•            Represented a police officer against claims that he exercised excessive force during the arrest process.
•            Represented clients in binding arbitration and mediation. 
 

Community Involvement